Jasper motor replacement? Or head gasket job?

Have a super clean 2005 with 285k on it. Is there anyway I can tell if the bottom end of the motor is okay? I’d rather do a head gasket job but don’t wanna do it and end up with the same results. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

Bottom end is hard to tell without removing bearing caps.

Basically noise is the only indicator.

When its cold, does it have piston slap or deep noises?

Is the headgasket leaking?

 

Yes head gaskets been shot for over a year now. Been pouring water in it and keeping it running on 4 cylinders. If it sits for multiple days, it’s near impossible to start. No knocking noise or slapping I don’t think. Just the sputtering from the exhaust.

 

Not sure what you mean by "same results" .. are you worried the deck of the block might be damaged? Like the new head gasket might not seal properly?

 

For me, it's a no brainer to go with another used lower mileage motor vs. repairing one with 285k miles.

 

I wasn't disappointed when I dropped a Jasper Stage 1 289 into my 65 Ford Galaxie in 1999.
I sold the car several months ago, but that motor was great and still ran perfectly after 23 years.
Never had to do anything to it except keep it tuned up and oil changes.

 

I second going Jasper, especially if you plan to keep the truck.

 

I put a Jasper in my 2005 and it's burned oil since day 1. Probably around 1 qt every 1000-1500 miles.

I haven't worried about it since the motor is new, and I just check it once a week and top it off as needed.

Motor runs perfectly (other than the oil burning) though. Probably 50k-ish miles on it

 

oh man why would you keep driving it like that..

I'd look at low milage used a junkyard and have that motor refreshed.

 

Yes. You would remove the heads and get a precision straight edge laying on the block a bunch of ways with a feeler gauge. Also would want to check pistons and walls. It would be easier to throw a engine in but even a jasper engine, jdm, junkyard engine would be a gamble. You would want to read about the warranty’s and return policy. Could alway rebuild original engine with a swapped one in. And would make it easier if you have the space to do that.

 

Have you called Jasper to check availability? I did a few weeks ago, and it didn’t sound like they had plans on having any 1GRE-FE’s for sale any time soon.

You can get a new short lock from Toyota and have your heads refurbished, or go the junkyard route.

Either way it’s roughly $4k without labor.

 

How did you run it on 4 cylinders? If its been dumping fuel into the non firing cylinders then the piston rings are probably trashed

 

With a compromised head gasket, would a compression test allow that to be checked to confirm or rule it out?

@ChronicTheTaco , if you've got into financial wherewithal to afford the Toyota short block, that seems like money well-spent if you think you can get another 250K out of the truck that way. That 285K isn't a huge worry if the engine was otherwise destined for the 400K+ club, but that's of course not knowable. Do change the timing chain and tensioner if you haven't already should you choose to go that route.

 

Think a low mileage junk yard motor is probably better than a rebuild IMO. I see you have a prerunner though, maybe without that front diff you can get the oil pan off without pulling the engine to look at the rod/ crank bearings. You would need to look into what goes with that though, like if you need new bolts if every things ok.

 

Depends on how the gasket failed. If your running on 1/2 your engine no. Air will slip thru just like your coolant. You’ll have to pull the heads off to check.

 

You can buy an exhaust gas detector to check your coolant system for exhaust gases. This is one way to determine if you have a head gasket leak.

 

Yes, if you're taking a poll, this would be my vote, no question.

 

You have been dumping water into the cylinder, which probably went past the rings and into the crankcase. So I’m guessing that your bearings have been swimming in coolant/oil mixture. Can’t be good for them

 

I would replace the headgaskets in about a day and move on, like everyone usually does on a car when a headgasket goes bad
Probably cheaper and easier. And less risk than finding out what's wrong with an unknown motor from a shady seller advertising it as good.

Never heard of a blown headgasket condemning a motor. Heard of people replacing headgaskets when they blow.

If you put synthetic oil every 5k the metal inside the motor looks clean enough to eat off

Or the piston pushed water/steam out the exhaust without hydrolocking

Yeah then you find out the junkyard 140k mi motor from a crashed Taco has undisclosed issues and was neglected

Could be a time to upgrade the motor to a different brand if you want.
I know a 340hp motor for free, working longblock
problem is it's a different brand and doesn't quite drop right in like stock
because if it's thousands, well maybe a diesel swap or V8 conversion, LS swap, etc. could be the same price

 

LS swap