98 taco tired 3rz

I have 334k and low compression in cylinders 2 and 3. Plan to squirt oil in and test again to see if it's rings or valves/ head gasket. Not sure what for to go for engine replacement. 1uz? Keep hunting for 3rz, then turbo? 3.4? I'm outside Portland and money is definitely an object.

 

If money is an object, it would seem that a used, running 3rz replacement is your best bet. Avoid any added costs to swap to something else. Also not sure turbo fits in well with money being an object. Maybe it turns out to be a head gasket that you catch early, and can do a DIY repair for relatively cheap compared to sourcing/swapping in a new engine.

 

Do a leak down test on it as well. 3rz are known to crack the head between exhaust valves if it's bad enough. If it's not eating coolant, good chance it's just an exhaust valve that's burnt.

Rebuilding the head is cheapest, I know a guy on here just paid a shop 3k to rebuild his 2rz head with OE Toyota parts

 

First I’d check valve shim clearances and adjust, see how it improves your compression