1GR-FE Engine Replacement -- "While you're in there" suggestions

Hi Tacoma nerds!

Looking at replacing my trusy '13's engine soon at 312k miles. I already have new motor mounts and will be doing injectors, spark plugs, oil, coolant, etc. Is there any other recommended service while I'm in there? Wondering about things like vvt solenoids, sensors, etc. The donor engine has 110k miles on it. Timing chain should be fine still right? Let me know your thoughts!

 

If you have access to the engine valley wrap all of the wiring harness with the Honda spicy tape. It’s a wire loom tape with rodent deterrent.


https://www.collegehillshonda.com/p...2ihQIG1ve05zVEaDIDiM813EjQj8LOc0VdTOIcDb6SAdy

 

What year, model, trim is the donor engine from?

 

Why is the engine being replaced?
If it's running fine with no codes I'd use all the original sensors so your starting with known good, might consider replacing the AFR and O2 sensors if they are original.
VVT solenoids are easy enough to replace in the truck if need be, I'd reuse them or use the ones on the donor engine if they aren't broken. Might be worth pulling the VVT screens on the donor to check/clean them.

Make sure to use OEM/quality parts not Amazon/ebay junk, might be enticing to get 6 injectors for the price of one but they are all but guaranteed to not work correctly.

Depends how it was taken care of, poor maintenance would result in increased wear.
Pull the tensioner cover and see how far extended it is, that will give you an idea if the chain is stretched or not.
I'm assuming you would reseal the valve covers, may as well verify timing is correct while your there.

Take a good look at the knock sensor harness on the donor engine, the sensors rarely fail but rodents love to nest under there and chew up the harness. It's a royal pain to fix in the truck.

 

I'd expect at that many miles you have replaced the steering rack, but if not flip the bolts.

If the bolts come from under the frame to the top, with the nuts on the top it's a LOT easier to replace the rack. If not you have to either cut the bolt, or lift the engine to get the bolt out.

So, if you are in there... flip the steering rack bolts to come up from the bottom.