1999 Tacoma prerunner replacing head. What else should I do ? Over 300,000 miles.

I sent my head to be worked over at the machine shop and found that it was cracked. Now my question is should I have my lower end sent to the machine shop and redone since I have to put a new head on it. And what else should I have done ? Like should I replace my timing chain ?

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

Thanks black DOG LIla. I'm glad to be a member. Hope to gather some helpful advice.

 

Its kind of a tough decision. I just did my head at 207k, and didn't consider reworking the bottom end. 300k would be a maybe for me.

@Speedytech7 or @Empty_Lord might chime in with a better answer, now that I've tagged them

 

What's your budget like? I slapped a new head on mine at about 200k and sent it with a supercharger too. They do well, the bottom ends aren't likely to just let go all at once. Have you had any bad omens, knocking sounds, oil burning in large quantities? The timing chain is a good preventative maintenance thing, they do stretch and these engines are sensitive to it.

 

Speedytech7 no , I haven't had any knocking or ticking at all. Actually it was caused by a faulty radiator. It had gotten hot suddenly and I started seeing White smoke from exhaust. But with 350,000 miles on it it overheated when a neighbor used it. I pulled the head thinking it was the bead gasket and sent it go be checked. I was told it was cracked. Ordering new head and wondered what to do about bottom end. All looks clean.Thought if I'd rework bottom end I'd have a reliable engine. Does anyone know what results I should expect from rebuilt bottom end and a new head. Any advice as to where I should order the head. 2.7L 3rzfe engine 1999 ? Any and all advice appreciated.

 

oxDEADBEEF I Surely appreciate it. I wanta cover all my bases before making a move and spending the money. I bought it with 275,000 miles on it. And it really paid for itself. But the guy before me put it thru some abuse. I didn't have any problems until this. Just wish I would of known about the radiator. I could of prevented this. I had Toyota ck everything immediately after buying it, but at 300,000 miles i knew I would have some issues eventually. I really like my truck.

 

Now the older 22R series engines did not like a New head on a old bottom end I have no idea about this series engine.

What is the rest of the truck like ?? A fresh Engine in a truck that needs another several thousand in catch up maintenance .

Only you know what you can spend .

A hard call to make at anytime.

 

Wyoming09 it's in great shape. I've had the suspension and all maintenance and anything needed updated, was. It's worth holding on to. I get so many different stories about rebuilds. I thought I would ask u guys how reliable my engine would be if I sent my lower end to the machine shop and put a new head on it as well.

 

1999 Tacoma prerunner replacing head. What else should I do ?

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Sorry, couldn't resist. In addition to the timing chain already mentioned, I would for sure replace the water and oil pumps unless you know their age.

 

Hey guy are the 97s and 99s interchangeable.? They have a guy which is an hour and 45 mins from me that says he has a 3rzfe with 140k miles and has a transmission and many other parts.

 

I think the short block is steel...might have to check the wiki on this....

 

Depends on the month of production for the 97. If it has a distributor then you need to get fancy because your 99 doesn't have that huge hole where the dizzy goes.



But either way you can be fine with a lil MacGyvering... i bought a brand new head assy for my 98 and the seller sent one for a 95.5-97. I took to long to install it so I couldn't return it when I went to install it and I was stuck with a giant hole where the distributor bolts on (the hole is in the same area thats behind where you coil packs bolt on) since the top of head isn't pressurized and just has oil slinging around up there i ended up getting a freeze plug (54mm I think) and permatexing it in place. 3k miles later and I still don't have any leaks

 

I also had a cracked head around 315k, I had it cut down a little and put a new gasket on. The lower end seems fine. And I've probably put 10-15k? On it since then.

I replaced everything I could access just because it was easier with the head off and everything taken apart. It was mostly for piece of mind, nothing else had failed.

 

Was it consuming oil before the hg failure? If not I'd just do the chain and slap a new head on it.

If it was burning oil then piston rings are a concern. If you can afford it, do the bottom end

And props to you for keeping an old toyota on the road

 

b_r_o nope wasn't burning oil. Just found out that it'll be $1500 -1700 to do bottom end. Dang. Thinking of used engine with 140k offered it to me for $1000 or just replacing head. Still looking around for other motors where I can verify mileage.

 

Try to find a jdm engine

 

Does the 1997, 2.7L 3rzfe Toyota Tacoma prerunner 4wd engine have the timing chain or belt ?

 

Chain. V6s are the belt users

 

Das it mang , I thought so. Appreciate that. I was hoping so, I am picking it up in the morning. Wish me luck guys. It is a 2.7l 3rzfe from a 1997 prerunner 4wd . The guy says it's the same engine as my 99 prerunner 2wd. It has 140k. Mine has 340k. Doing engine swap this coming week. I'm no mechanic but love my truck. Again plz wish me luck.