UKrunner

I currently have the heads off my '98 3.4 due to leaking head gasket at #3. Ive head that head magnafluxed, hot tanked, milled and the valves checked and its ready to install. Cost was $125. For an extra $80 they will do the valve stem seals if I provide them. Is this worth it? I have the other head to do still.

What is the preferred gasket/top end rebuild kit and where should I get it from? OEM water pump or other? What temp thermostat? OEM head bolts?
Are there any performance mods I should think about while the engine is torn down? I was considering port matching the intakes and exhaust manifolds. Anything else? I am considering supercharging a 189,000 mile engine so I'd like it to be right when it goes back together.

Or for $2000, the machine shop will completely recondition the engine with new bearings, pistons, rods, pins, oil pump, seals, rings, hot tank every thing, rebuild and bench fire it.

rworegon

The engine overhaul gasket kit or the valve grind gasket kit (a few less pieces which may be ok depending how far you are digging into it) from a online Toyota dealer would be my 1st choice...see here and here. Valve stem seals are included. Yes, have them done.

I went with head bolts and new crank bolt from the dealer. Also, replace the knock sensor pigtail and reseal the water bypass tube that runs by the knock sensors.

AirCabinMan sells some timing belt kits on eBay with all Toyota OEM parts for a very good price.....water pump, t-stat, and all timing belt components.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

If you are going forced induction and feel like you might be tempted to go over board on boost.

I would think long and hard about doing the whole engine.

Kinda like do it now or later thing

You would have done the top end but have the original bottom end.

UKrunner

http://www.yotashop.com/toyota-5vzfe...placement-kit/

Any thoughts on this kits quality?

I will probably get the bottom end done later. This is after all a big overbuilt engine for only 220hp - 250hp when supercharged.

rworegon

I saw a post a month or so ago regarding the same kit and it got no responses.

Did find this regarding + review of a rebuilt engine from this outfit.

Who knows, that kit might work out fine. Google did not turn up much in the way of reviews.

UKrunner

I decided to pull the block and get it done. I dropped it off at the machine shop today and they said they'd inspect it and put it back together all for $200 if its ok, or go from there and rebuild if there are issues.

UKrunner

I went with the yotashop gasket kit and the timing kit. $613 with shipping.

UKrunner

Everything came in today. Well, minus the extra exhaust gasket I ordered and the knock sensor cable. The gaskets are the single layer graphite type "from Japan." I thought we had moved on to the multilayer type now? I am running out of time to build this so should I go with the graphite type or spend another $100 on trying to find the newer kind?

s/c_teacher

looking for kit advice. my block just got cleaned & honed. did you use the yotashop head gaskets? who made the head gaskets? how was quality/brand names of other yotashop parts?

UKrunner

The kit is KW and aisin parts. Looks ok so far, but it does have graphite gaskets. I havent put the engine together yet but I have installed the idlers and new water pump I ordered at the same time I got the head kit.

Hopefully, I should have all weekend being able to get this up and running and will be able to offer more of an educated opinion.