What reputable suppliers are you guys buying your 3VZE or 5VZ from? My 3.0 is currently pulled apart due to some nasty rust buildup in the cooling system left by the previous owner and a mysterious coolant leak from behind the block as well. Im debating just doing a full swap since I will never be able to sell this truck. The R150 is completely rebuilt and I have put maybe 90 miles on it since it left the shop, I would like to have a sound running 4rumner that I can keep forever but Im plagued with 25 years and 244000 miles of neglect.

 

Buying a used motor is always a crapshoot. Unless you personally knew the vehicle's history prior to it ending up in a salvage yard, the recycler is looking at a VIN, mileage, and the state that issued the salvage certificate (which may or may not be where the vehicle lived it's life)

Low miles are better than high miles, south is usually better than north, etc.

Plan to replace the timing belt and water pump before you install the motor. Additional work is up to you on valve cover gaskets and more.

 

Coolant leak at the back of the block? I'd say do a compression test on #6 and #5 cyl's to make sure your head gasket isn't blown.

If you're set on replacing the engine, I have a couple 3vze's with under 130k still in their trucks to hear run and such, but I'm not sure where you're from if it makes sens or not for you to look at them.

The 3.4L is a great engine, but just about all of them I see are rather expensive even from private parties. Buying a whole parts truck seems to be cheaper than just the engine.

 

Another option: I've heard of good results importing JDM engines. They are very low mileage, usually the catch is shipping $ can get steep. But if you're close so a port you can pick up yourself and save money. Google search for an importer with good reviews, maybe you find something worth following up on. Good luck!