Hey guys,
Love this site!!! Have read so many posts.
Thinking about putting in used engine in my 02 Sequoia.
Here's the story, coming home from church and it started overheating, being close to home we kept driving it. It didn't make it. It started making a loud pecking noise from top of motor then overheated. Towed home, and had to replace radiator(busted top of bowl). Went ahead and changed water pump, timing belt, and radiator. When changing oil, it was light brown in color and like a thick paste. Not good! Changed out twice. Started back up for test run and pecking sound still there.I assumed oil was not getting to lifters, because of paste thickness. On driving peck started to go away when loud pinging noise started to come from intake housing?? And then a loud air thumping noise started. It's loud too!
Upon calling local shop for quotes on blown head gasket(maybe?), labor plus parts could equal used engine.
I am more capable of changing out the engine than tearing down heads and finding something deeper. Are there any watchouts for swapping engines? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Nice project

 

You'll need to stick with the 00-02 models. 2003 is when toyota went with the VVTI motor and it's a different set-up. I'm in the process of swapping out my motor in my 2000 tundra. Had smoke from the exhaust and thought the valve seals were the issue. Replaced all 32 and the problem is still there. now I'm thinking piston seals. I was able to get a block with only 5000 miles on it. Going to have my heads rebuilt and installed on the newer block. hopefully soon because, I'm missing driving the truck....LOL!

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tip! I wasn't aware of the difference.
Yeah, I'm missing the family vechicle also. Having to borrow my mother's Chrysler.

Good luck to you too!