So I'm out of town for work and picked up a 94 4runner with a blown head gasket. I've done a bit of research on it and it seems this is common. I'm tearing apart the motor now and basically when troubleshooting I found hole 3 and 4 dead. Seems like there's compression going into the radiator. I'm going to pull both heads and should I just buy new ones or take these to a shop? Also I'm going to change knock sensors and what else would u recommend. Any tips? Timing belt was done recently she said

Oh and I picked it up for 600 bucks!
4x4 manual trans. Electric everything with a sun roof
Btw I'm new to this site so hello all!
Looking forward to this build

 

Maybe before you dump lots of money into a 3.0 engine you should think since this is a project perhaps going to a 3.4 . There are those that love them (3.0) but they seem to be a minority !!

As for the heads if there is nothing wrong with them may as well use them. If you decide to build this engine.

Welcome to Yota Tech !!

 

Thanks!!!
I'm Goin to stick with this motor and just kind of curious if I can get her going good again.

Update
I'm pulling it apart on what little free time I have. almost have the heads out. The timing belt looks good still.
Now should I change water pump and thermostat? If so what brand should I go with or stay away from. And as for hg all I know is to stay away from felpro
thanks!

 

Hasnt been washed in 2 years

 

First motor ive had apart so what do you think? Its from the water sitting in it for i guess a year i need opinions. Trying not to spend a ton of cash
1 good to go and just replace headgasket
2 need a new motor
3 pull this one and get it honed/pistons/rings
either 2 or 3 im gonna have to wait a while to do

 

Hard to tell from the picture .

Just how deep is the scoring ??

Are you able to feel it with a finger nail??

Just how many miles on the engine?

If the scoring is deep your looking at boring and new pistons or a used engine. Going to get expensive fast.

If you end up putting this engine back together It would be foolish not to do the complete timing belt while it is all apart.

Myself I would go with a Toyota Water pump and Thermostat just because they are such a pain to change.

Seems the quality of After market thermostats and rebuil water pumps has gone down hill.

 

Motor has 200k. I'm gonna change the timing belt and ill go ahead and do oem water pump and thermostat. the scoring is not deep. It's just a little rough. Thanks!