The slight knock in my motor has been well documented here in my posts. I've decided to go to a reputable mechanic next Monday for a thorough check and diagnosis of what is going on.

In the meantime I have been fretting about what I'm going to do if it is a main bearing.

I called a local salvage yard on a whim to see if they had a 3vze (their aren't many Toyota's in this neck of the woods) and low and behold they have one from an 89 with 99,000 miles. The price is $450 with exchange. Then they will take mine out and replace it with theirs for an additional $400, for a grand total of $850.

That brings up a couple of issues I am wrestling with.
1) who knows how well maintained the motor was. What kind of maintanence, when was the timing belt done?
2) Does this motor have head gasket issues?
3) Do I trust these "grease monkeys" to swap the motors out?


Does anyone know what the time is on alldata.com to pull and install a 3vze? I would love to know but I can't even fork out $20 at this time, have to save every dang penney for repair if I need it.

I guess at least I know I have this option in case it is my only one.

I really don't think I can do anything over $1000-$1200. That is my max for repair. And no I can't do the work myself. I am in no way shape or form even remotely qualified to do something on this level.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

 

A true 99,000 miles seems fairly good to me... at first glance.

Does the junker run?

Is the junker driveable?

Could you take the junker to your mechanic and at least get an independent idea of the condition?

Any warranty on the install work or motor itself?

To me, at least you know the history of your engine and what you are dealing with... but I guess you need to determine the cost of repairing that first.

This opinion is worth exactly 2 cents.

 

I hear you. I am going to get it diagnosed first. I just wanted to know my options if he comes up with some ridiculous amount to repair as I really have budget issues here with this project.

One other consideration is that this is my daily driver, so I want it to be reliable.

I definately know the history of my vehicle, every last receipt. It has been meticulously maintained, runs FANTASTIC but it does have 200,000.

He told me the vehicle does run so I should be able to hear it and try it out, and that is a good idea about having a mechanic check it out, if it comes to that I will do that.

The guy told me a 30 day guarantee on the engine and work.

 

I once put in a 2.8 into an old chevy s-10. Got the motor from the junk yard for 600 bucks I think. I ended up putting in 3, yes count them 3, motors from the same junk yard until finally calling the deal off (told my boss you know what) and getting a crate motor from GM. Granted, this was a chevy 2.8 we're talking about. I would in no way ever trust a junk yard mechanic to do the work. Not to say they can't do the work properly, but those guys are kind of bottom of the barrel in the automotive technician world. I'd suggest looking around for a good mechanic who does side work. Check out toyota clubs in your area for good leads.

 

I agree. However I'm between a rock and a hard place here. I have very limited funds I can throw at this thing. I'm leaving the vehicle overnight tonight so it can be checked tomorrow to find out exactly what the deal is with my motor.

If it (the motor) took a dump, and the junkyard motor is not an option then EBAY HERE I COME!!!!!!!! And I'll be in the market for another 1st Gen.

 

The book rate for an engine R & R is 12.7 hrs....add .4 for automatic.

I would also call Toyota with the vin to see if the head gaskets were done. I would definitetly do the belt. Have you looked at the beast to see if there are any records in the glovebox?

 

I have not had a chance to look at the donor motor. My plan was to get the VIN and see if the head gasket had ever been done, and try and get a carfax to get a better idea of the history.

the 12.7 hrs + .4 for auto, is that through alldata?

That really makes me nervous knowing a salvage yard would R&R a motor for $400. That breaks down to $30/hour!

I had planned on a timing belt and water pump as well if I can afford it.

 

I'd stay away from the salvage yard, you get what you pay for.

 

You can sometimes see when the timing belt was changed by the mechanics log at the top of the timing belt cover.

I was once looking at a used Toyota on a shady used car lot and the salesman told me it had 70,000 miles on it, I then ask him how, if it only had 70K miles, was the timing belt changed at 93,000 miles? He was busted!