I am thinking about buying this short block with 165K miles. Owner says it had a valve issue. Does anything on this look bad? Going to put in my 1991 w a blown head gasket, doing a valve job obviously...


I know it's hard to diagnose, but any input would be great!

Thanks in advance!

 

Looks like expensive project to me. You sure it would not be easier to fix your HG?

 

my 4runner has 278K miles on it, this engine has just under 165K so I'm thinking, redo the heads on this and drop it in, sell the other bits of the old motor. So I can work on it out of the car...I think I can pickup this short block for $200...how much do you think it would cost to do a valve job/head refurb on this? I am new to the 4runner crowd but have a 96 Landcruiser that is my DD...

 

I don't wanna do head gaskets on an oldE1`

 

Valve issue? What's that?
Sucking a valve in, or...?

Buying a used engine with a known problem is setting yourself up for costly repairs.

 

I am not sure..gonna pull the heads and see if the valve hit the piston/cylinder wall

 

FOLLOW UP!!!

So I bought the motor last night and started tearing it apart today. Got both the heads off and now working on getting the main off. Next question is how do I get that front sprocket dealy off the front of the motor?

Here are pics:
Right side head gasket had a weird goopy crap in one spot....


the backside of the right side head gasket


underneath the gasket, the block looked rusty/burnt?


right front cylinder #1?


right side middle cylinder


right side back cylinder


left bank

 

The timing belt sprocket on the crankshaft is *suppose* to just slide off. This is usually not the case, the FSM says to use 2 screw drivers prying on opposite sides. Mine took 2 large prybars and a little heat. If you use heat make sure to be careful (the oil pump is right behind it) and replace the seal that is right there while you're in there. Cylinder walls and lower end look ok, but it's hard to tell from the pictures. I had the same goopy stuff in the dead-ended coolant passages when I did my head gaskets a couple weeks ago.

 

Feel inside the cylinders for any pitting or roughness on the walls.