Ok..... A little history on the 91 4runner aka Money Pit. I bought this about 10 days ago not running. The owner said it was running one day and would not start the next morning. He replaced the distributor and distributor cap, coil, wires, plugs and still would not start. It had no spark nothing.... He gave up on it. He also told me it had a slight valve train noise.

So fast Forward to now. I ordered an igniter because that was the only thing that was not replaced in the ignition system. Well that did not work. So more troubleshooting. Well i found out it had a bad NEW Coil from Autozone. Well swapped it out and BINGO started first try. Well the slight valve train noise was a ROD Knock and it was not slight....LOL

Time for a rebuild.

I will start to tear this thing down and post pics of the rebuild in progress


Here is a pic of the new money pit.

 

I am going to start this project today when i get off from work.... I will keep a running tab on the complete rebuild and post here.
I will be asking for advise during this process also.

First thing:
1. Synthetic Oil... What do you think about it after the initial break in period or should I start using it from day 1?


Thanks
Chris....

 

Well I just got back from vacation on Monday. I had a chance to pull the motor out and tear it apart. Found out it was not a rod knock, it was a broke piston skirt on the #3 cylinder. Other then that the motor looks good.
Dropped the block off at the machine yesterday and we are going 10 on the crank and just going to hone the block. I am hoping to get it out of the machine shop on Monday and start getting her back together.

Pics to come of the rebuild.

Also does anyone know if the JDM auto tranny will be a direct replacement for mine? Will my transfer case bolt up? I found one with 35K miles for 300 shipped to me.

Thanks
Chris

 

Well machine shop called me this morning and informed me that the crank was ground 10 under on mains and rods and block was done 30 over.
The engine rebuild kit was ordered for $335 and should be here on Tuesday.
I will take the pistons to the machine shop and have them pressed in and i will be good. I will start to build her up next week.

 

Looking good. Is it the 3.0 or 22re? From what I have read, it is best to wait till your engine is completely broken in (some say 5k miles) to make the switch the synthetic. Best of luck. Wish I could help out with your transfer case/tranny question. I would start a new thread in the main section to get that bad boy answered.

 

thanks...
I just started a new one. i have pics coming now.

 

it is a 3.0

 

You will want to include that in your other thread.

 

Here is "The Money Pit"

 

Well rebuild kit will be delivered in the morning. So far the cost are:
4runner: 700
Coil: 45
Rebuild Kit: 335
Machine Shop: ??????
total:$1080

Chris

 

Quick update:
The machine shop is done. Took them long enough to get it done.
I will start building the motor tomorrow, i am trying to debate on either ordering my headers or maybe get the muffler shop to make me a set. Does anyone know if i can get the header flange blanks anywhere?


Totals:
4runner: $700
Coil: $45
Rebuild Kit: $335
Machine Shop: $300
total:$1380