If you don't want to read my purchase story, skip to the second paragraph.

I'm a new member, and I have a 96 Tacoma with a 3.4. Just today, I bought this 96 Tacoma. I picked it up for $560, the engine has a loud knock. The guy i bought it from told me it was a lifter knock. But me and him both know that isn't what it is. I drove it home which was about a 30 minute drive. It died a couple times, and the last time it died, I was almost home. Then it wouldn't start. It felt like the battery didn't have enough power to turn it over. I tried rolling it, but it just wouldn't start. We ended up pulling it home. It's body is in good shape, and the transmission is great. It's a 5 speed and it shifted awesome all the way home. I think my starter is out now, I know the engine did not seize. It needs a new engine anyways. It has 250k miles, and someone did not take any care of it. I know it would be a perfect running truck if someone had taken care of it. So I was thinking about putting a new 3.4 engine in it. I'm wondering how much it would cost me to take it in and have them put in a used 3.4 liter that will run good? I'm also wondering how much it will cost to get a used engine put in by a private mechanic. One that does cheap work out of his garage. I know a guy that has extra engines and knows how to swap them. He won't answer my messages, so I am wondering how much someone like that might charge me?

My 3.4 engine is knocking, and I'm wondering how much a dealership might charge to install a new engine. Or how much a private mechanic that already has an engine might charge?

Overall, it's a great truck with lots of potential. I want somthing I can drive in the snow this winter. I just need a new engine, because the 3.4 in it is just about finished. I know that these engines are known to go 250k+ miles. Someone just did not take care of this truck. Would it be worth the money to replace it?

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks for reading!

 

I dealership will charge big bucks for a "new" motor. Your best bet if you can't do the work yourself, is to find a local shop that would install for you a good used motor Or a rebuilt one.

 

Perhaps someone local could help you out if you had posted your location.

I take it you don`t have a place or time and tools to do it yourself

 

If the guy will not answer your calls, do not give him the time. If he does shoddy work, this truck can become your worse nightmare.

Motor prices are going to vary depending on with what you buy, but to have one installed can be had reasonable. By the questions you are asking about new motor or Toyota installing it, I feel you need to find someone locally that knows mechanics and can help you find someone who will and can do it reasonable.

If you posted your area, most likely there is someone here that could help you locate a mechanic.