Are all the first gen 2.7 liters interchangeable??

I've finally found a donor motor out of a 95 but I'm not sure if its going to be compatible with my 96. So before I drive almost 3 hours one way to buy this motor that is supposed to have 100k on it I need to know a few things. My current motor is the 3rz-fe and the guy is telling me that all the 2.7's are interchangeable. True? I've read differently and especially due to coil vs distributor setups. These are the markings that he sent to me off of the motor. Can anyone please translate these to me and let me know if it is indeed going to work for me?

z-1083-93 z-83-z-n83-93 2499380143 (sticker on motor)

 

Hey,

I will confess upfront that I'm not a mechanic by trade or anything, and I know there are countless people on TW that are effectively experts with all of this stuff.

BUT... (with that out of the way) I can say that you are correct with regard to the coil / distributor stuff. I have an '04, so it has the "Coil on Plug" configuration used in '00-'04, whereas the '95.5-'99 don't. I think there may be some differences with the exhaust header too, but I am not sure if that is a difference on that specific component used for a given date range or whether something on the actual motor changed.

I would think though that much of the "heavy duty" type stuff (block, head, pistons, rings, crank, etc) would be the same.

I think though too that "First Gen" technically started mid-way through 1995, so if that engine is from Q1 '95 it may be different? Don't know that for sure but something to think about.

Just my $.02

 

Any idea how I would know whether the motor is 95 or 95.5?

 

Sadly no... I'll see if anything useful turns up on the Googles.

 

If it's the Tacoma body style, it's a 95.5, but if it's the old body style (pickup), it'd be a 95.

Toyota came out with the Tacoma mid-year, hence the 95.5 designation.

 

So can't really dig up much with the numbers.

True. And knowing this the "Toyota Pickup" (ie old body style) would have had a 22r-e vice 3rz-fe.

So assuming your donor motor comes out of a Tacoma body style, and its a pre-runner/4x4 and a 4 cylinder, than it would be the 3rz-fe.

 

There is where my problem begins. This is a barn find restoration project with with cab, frame, motor etc pieced together from all sorts of years. I'm interested in the motor but not sure from the lettering he gave me, and stating that its a 95 if it would work on my 96.

 

If it's a 95 "tacoma" it will be the same as your 96. If it is a "pickup" it will be 22 re, but that is not a 2.7l so I'm guessing it's a tacoma with the 3rz.

As to the ignition differences, 95.5 to 97 were distributer, 97-99? Were coil pack, waste spark ignitions with 2 coils to feed four cylinders. And 2000? to 04 were coil on plug. Yes their was an exhaust manifold change around 2000 but it is irrelevant as either or will bolt up. However somewhere around 98-99 the intake changed from an 8 port to 4 port, these are not interchangeable without changing cylinder head. Physically they will all bolt up, but these differences can make things a pain.

That being said, if the donor truck is a 95 tacoma with a 3rz, it should be the exact same as your 96.

 

Yup...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_R_engine#22R

 

Got a pic of the donor truck or engine? It's pretty easy to tell the difference between 3rz and 22 re or tacoma vs pickup.

 

It looks just like my 3rz and not a 22re but the numbering he sent and not saying it was a 3rz threw me off. Also I read up on something saying there was a updated variation to the 3rz-fe being 3rz-fe-?? and I want to make positive that I get some advice from you guys if there were sub models of the 3rz that I know for certain and dont screw myself. Trying to download the picture now..

 

3rz?

 

3rz?

 

Look like a 3rz to me

 

Is it 2wd 5lug or 2wd/4WD 6 lug?

 

the 2tr is an updated 3rz.

Also, that little tag on the valve cover should say wether its a 2r, or 3r

Bolt patterns are the same for engine mount points on the block, and as well as bellhousing mounting points

 

battery tray on the right side? That is a 89 to 95 truck.

 

If the truck has 6 lugs it's a 3rz.. if it has 5 lugs, it's a 2rz. Also, 2rz/3rz is cast into the driver side of the block. Look through the driver side fender well. Should see it.

 

100% is a Tacoma, and not a 89-95 pickup.

 

Your kidding right? look at the fire wall, vin plate in the middle, heater valve in an odd position, and op say's,
"There is where my problem begins. This is a barn find restoration project with with cab, frame, motor etc pieced together from all sorts of years. I'm interested in the motor but not sure from the lettering he gave me, and stating that its a 95 if it would work on my 96."
cold air do not sit on battery box. This barn find is a mess of pieces from different toyotas. Whith the 2rz and 3rz being so similar, I wold look at the block plate like you point out above.