3VZE Engine Swap?

Okay. I have a '95 with 250K miles on it. Compress is low on two cylinders and I am pretty sure it's the exhaust values - at least it's in the heads. The exhaust manifold has been welded and not going to be easy to get off while the engine is in the bay.

250k miles doesn't come easy!

I was looking @ swapping out the 3VZE. Looks like I can get a one for $2,400 with a 4 year warranty fro USA Parts Online. Or a used with 150K miles for $2K.

Figred I was just do a quick swap (famous last words) and get the 4runner back on the road. I would still have the original motor to rebuild/sell - whatever.

94' with no rust. 2 wheel drive.

Good idea? Bad Idea? Other ideas???

Thanks in advanced...

 

I don't know if it's a good or bad idea. Why not try to do a valve adjustment if the valves are out of spec. I had zero clearance on my #6 exhaust, and the valve adjustment seems to have helped.

But the engines don't have much power to begin with. I've read that the preferred swap is for a 3rd generation engine.

 

I appreciate the response. If I did this correctly, Looks like most of the values need some adjustments.

 

I would have swapped for a 5vz if mine wasn’t fixable.

 

Yeah? Not worth putting another 3vze? I did find a donor 94' with a 3vze & 4wheel drive. 125K miles. Power train swap? Or better finding a 5vz?

 

In my opinion the 5vz would be better. They are rock solid. I got one in the taco with almost 250,000 and it is still running amazing. No issues. I’m dreading driving the 3vze when I get the runner started. It’ll be ok but I’d rather have a 5vz in it. And the 5vz has more power: