Valve job or replace the engine?

So I got me a '94 Tacoma last week. 178K miles, V6 3L 4x4. I'm pretty stupid and didn't have it checked by a mechanic first and it turns out the engine is misfiring. I'm going to have it looked into, but if it turns out it has a bad valve, would I be better off in the long run just replacing the whole engine? I really love the body style of the '94s, so I'm prepared to put some money into this truck to get it in good shape.

If replacing the engine is the way to go, do you guys know where I can get one for that year?

 

Not sure where you are from but I believe the V6's aren't too expensive, I paid a lot for my 4cyl ($1900) but I've seen the 3.4s for less than $1000. Do you plan on doing the work yourself either way? I don't know much about the labor/expenses of a rebuild, someone else will chime in, but I think its worth just tearing the motor down and rebuilding.

 

I hear the 4cyl's are much better engines--last longer. Is it possible/advised to swap the V6 for a V4?

 

The 3.0's were about the only "bad" engine toyota ever made. I don't know how hard it would be but I would look into swapping a 3.4L v6 in there instead. 3.0's blow head gaskets, 3.4's are pretty much bullet proof 300k+ mile engines. The 4 cylinder wouldn't be bad either if its a 5 speed, if its automatic the 4 cylinder would suck.

 

Of course I bought the "only bad engine toyota ever made".

 

It's a manual, btw.

 

You guys know where I can get a low-miles Japanese 3.4L V6 engine? I have no idea where to start.

 

look at your local auto salvage places, thats where I found mine, you can try craigslist but it'd be way more sketchy, the place I got my motor from (lentini if you are in new jersey lol) had a limited warranty. The 4 cylinders are very good motors, but Id try to swap in the 3.4 so that you aren't regretting downsizing later on when you need the power. I love my 4 cylinder but it doesnt have even close to the acceleration the 6's have.

 

Ok, great info, thank you! I live in Seattle. A friend tells me there's a place in Tacoma that specializes in used Japanese engines. Looks like that's the route I should take. Thanks!

 

FYI there were no Tacomas in '94, they didn't go into production until midway through 1995, so the v6 motor you have is the 3.0 not the 3.4. Unfortunately, the 3.0 is notoriously underpowered and unreliable. You could probably swap in a 3.4l though, I'm sure it's been done before...they are much, much more reliable.

 

One of my Tacomas is a 2.4 with 300k. On finding a 3.4 Google search your ass of and read up on the swap for a week or two. Make a list of all the parts that you will need and price them out to get a total cost of the swap. Then add 20% just in case. I'd that's to much them do a valve job or just replace the heads and timing belt and you should be good till the next timing belt. Glwt

 

Eon, right. That's what I'm saying here.

 

are you planning on swapping it in yourself or doing the valve job yourself?

 

No, I'm not that mechanically inclined.

 

I don't know what area you're in but there's a company here in SoCal that sells 3.4l motors for pretty cheap, I've heard good things about them...think they're called JBL. They usually have ads on craigslist and the sell for around 800-1000

 

My mechanic is saying that I can't put a 3.4 V6 or a V4 in there because of the engine mounts or something. Anyone know more about that?

 

If you're not mechanically inclined, don't do the swap. It's really only cost effective if you DIY. The 3.0 isn't as terrible as most say. It's not one of the "great" toyota engines like the 5vz 3.4, but it's reasonably reliable and makes good torque.

Definitely just fix the bad valve and go on.

 

LS swap it

 

The 3.4 bolts up exactly in place of the 3vz, but the whole ECU has to be changed and wiring matched up for your dash functions. Most mechanics won't even attempt this.

 

Dang. Okay.