3.Slow new to the forum

New forum user from central CA. picked up my 1990 4Runner about a year ago and its been my project. Currently in the middle of a full rebuild prompted by a blown head gasket. Yeah, shocking right? During the tear down I found both heads cracked between every valve and my rod bearings were all chewed up. Considering I drove it home when I bought it id say this is a tough little tuck. I hope to get it running and driving again soon so I can start working on the fun stuff. And for anyone interested you can follow the project on IG @4runner_blunder.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome from Canada! Good luck on the motor rebuild.

 

welcome

 

This is the age-old conundrum: rebuild or replace. If it was me I would junk the 3.0 and get a 3.4 ('96 to 98, preferably) and rebuild that. I see a re-builder here in Missoula for $150.00. Junkyard runners with less than 200K go for $1,000.00.

Last time I re-built a Chevy 229 V6 it cost $1,500.00 with a pro-machine shop doing ALL the lower end (short block) work. The Yota 3.4 may be a bit more technical (overhead cam, etc.) but it can't be much more than $2,500.00, at the worst. At that point ya got a brand new motor.

I would buy a good running 3.4, install it, and save up for the re-build when needed. The process is well documented to do the swap and shouldn't be too dramatic.

 

These guys have Long Blocks. I have used them for heads, in the past. They do good work and shipping is not as bad as you may think.

3.0L $2,400.00

3.4L $2,965.00

https://sunwestautoinc.com/product-category/long-blocks/toyota/

 

Welcome to the forum @4runner_blunder !

Here's another option for used JDM engines. I have bought a few motors from a similar place and had good luck.

https://www.jdmcalifornia.com/produ...runner-t-100-1996-2004-5vz-fe-3-4l-engine-v6/