Hello Yota Friends,

Please forgive me for I do not know much about cars. I have a 1989 Toyota Pickup with a 22R 4 cylinder. Not too long ago it started having trouble going up hills and the engine began to shake and also backfire. The truck has 237,000 miles on it and it was passed down to me with a missing catalytic converter. Someone welded a pipe instead. I took it in to a mechanic who told me 2 of the cylinders where not working because of the valves and told me he would repair the valves and put in a catalytic converter for a total of $1200 and a 6 month warranty.

Is this a good deal or wouldn't it be cheaper and more reliable to get a rebuilt engine swapped in? My goal is to get the most miles out of my truck from the limited amount of money I have without having to fix it myself. I only have about $1200 to my name at the moment and need to have a reliable car before the end of January 2014 for college.

Thank you to everyone who gives me some input.

 

At 237k, I'd say that a rebuild top to bottom or a fresh engine wouldn't hurt. Reason being, if you rebuild the head, what's the bottom end like? You might just open a whole can of worms once the heads off. Might be better off n easier to find a longblock rebuild. I think 1200 should be in the price range for one. But, on the other hand, 237k really isn't that high for these engines.

 

So would it be a good idea to just get a rebuilt engine swapped in like the ones advertised in the link below?

For Example: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ptd/4175521850.html

 

I can't make the link work, but that doesn't mean it's broken. Probably my phone.
Make sure it's a reputable shop, and comes with a minimum 6 month warranty. I hunted around for mine, got a 3 yr warranty. Some rebuilders use crap parts. Some don't.
Does your current motor smoke? Like an oil burner? Does it use or lose oil? Do you know what it runs for oil pressure? If oil pressure is good, and it doesn't burn oil or use oil, the bottom end, (bearings & rings) may be just fine.
But, before you do that, check your valve lash. Here's a how to, unless you know your mech tried that already.
http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../7cylinder.pdf
Jump down around page 21 somewhere. Breaks down the adjustment procedure.

 

Paying someone to work on these trucks can get real expensive real fast.

With your mileage on the engine doing the top end would most likely take out the bottom end .

Then you would be back to square one without a ride.

Be nice if you were able to find some people in your area that live and breath these Trucks .

In this case a reman engine is the way to go but even so I think done right is going to be way over your budget.

You don`t say Auto or Manual trans.

Who knows when the last timing chain was done.

In any case Best of Luck

Link failed for me as well

 

Going off your link which also didn't work for me but says Orange County in it.
If it's O.C. California and you don't have a Catalitic Coverter you aren't going to pass smog.

How we'll do you know this mechanic?

Where are you? Might be some Yotatech people nearby that can confirm your issues so you know the mechanic is ripping you off, or possibly fix the truck for you.

 

Yes I am in Orange County Garden Grove/Anaheim area. I hardly know any mechanics. I am in a bit of a bind because of this missing Catalytic Converter. My truck is a Manual Tran. Shifts 4 times. I have been searching around for a rebuilt engine since everyone here seems to be advising me to do so. So far I have found someone who will install a rebuilt engine for $1142 along with a 1- year warranty unlimited miles.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ptd/4148181614.html

After I get that done I should get the catalytic converter installed. Then I can finally get my expired plates fixed. I just wish I could find some honest yota techs around my area!