So, I picked up a 94 SR5 4x4 with a rod hanging out the side of the block for a steel. Otherwise, it's in really good shape. I have a buddy with a 90 SR5 4x4 that is about to pull his 3VZE to replace it with a SBC. It has a stretched valve and I need a block(and it's free). What's the difference between the two? Can I just get the heads reworked and drop the whole thing into the 94 without getting into a potential wiring nightmare or worse? Thanks in advance!

 

nothing they should be the exact same

 

you MIGHT have some wiring issues like with the alternator and smaller things...
i have a 90 with a 94 motor in it, but for some reason the plug that goes into the alternator is from a 92... different from both the 90 and the 94 (yes, i had to swap the thing 3 times to get it to work)

there are a few mechanical differences like a hydraulic timing belt tensioner, but nothing serious... while its out and your doing work on it tho, id replace the timing belt and water pump at least... good luck...

 

Both blocks are the same if you use the 94 block and eveything else from the 90 you will be ok.

 

Well I cannot use the 94 block. It has the rod through the side of it. I was going to get the heads reworked and maybe freshen up the bottom end while I have it out so I wouldn't have to go back into it for a longtime. I will take care of the WP and timing belt while it's out. Just doesn't make sense not to. I was thinking about using just the long block from the 90 and bolt up everything else from the 94 to it, if they were the same.

 

everything SHOULD bolt up... but like i said, you might have some issues with wiring... not hard to fix, just the small gremlins...

 

Wow sorry about my first post, I mean you could use the 94 HEADS and the 90 block along with eveything else from the 90 and you should be ok .
Like spacjunk said if you do use some of the accessories from the 94 you will have some small problems with connections.
As far as the alternator you could use it but will have to cut the plugs and change them over they are wired exactly the same just using differnt plug.

 

or just buy a new alternator to match the connector and have piece of mind that its new...

 

I have both alternators so that will not be a problem.

 

BINGO!

keep us updated on how it turns out...

 

Pretty sure as far as emissions go, you can never put in an older engine, period. FYI

 

If the truck that your putting this motor into is a 94 then you would want to use the block from the 1990 engine and bolt everything from the 94 engine to it, that way you shouldnt have any problems. If you want to use the entire 1990 engine then you could have some problems such as wiring but you could use the 90 block and heads and bolt all the 94 accesories to it. If your in california you CANT put a older engine in a truck it has to be the year of the truck or newer, but since the engines are almost the same then no one will know unless you say something.

 

Well, here's the deal. I used the 94 heads on the 90 block. All the accessories from the 94 went on without a hitch. I had to use the spring tensioner from the 90. Now here's what I have run into. I torqued the tensioner pulley after I setup the belt and put everything together. I went to start it and nothing. I thought I had the dist 180 out but that didn't help. I had fire, fuel and air so the only the left was timing so I ripped the front of the motor apart only to find that the tensioner pulley was stuck to the left. I loosened the bolt and it sprung to the right. So I had to seat up the belt again, put everything back together and TAADAA, she started right up. Well, I have been driving it for a couple weeks and I think it has done the same thing again. What am I doing wrong with this thing?

 

Did you use the water pump a water pump from a 94? If so it doesn't have the pin on it that keeps the spring tensioner in place.