Blown 3RZ head gasket/cracked head

So, I recently noticed decent coolant consumption on my 1999 Prerunner with the 2.7L 3RZ. Today it started to misfire, and I've drained the oil and confirmed it is mixed with coolant. The truck has around 285k miles on the original engine and transmission. I'm just looking for some second opinions on what to do.

• Pay to fix the blown head gasket and do nothing cool with it?
• Buy a new 3RZ from LCE Engineering and something with slightly more power?
• Possibly save some money and buy a used motor?
• Do a cool swap to a LS1 or 1UZ or anything that you guys know comes with a complete swap kit?

Also to note, I have heard that the aluminum heads tend to crack between the valves.

 

These heads pretty stout
But could be cracked
If not cracked
Machine Shop can remanufacture head(assuming no catastrophic damage)
For $400-$600 (depending on your area)
My shop measure valve lash too
$350(pre Covid)
New seats/collars as well
Shit that was for 2.5L Subaru (2 heads)

 

I say $1200 for a junkyard motor. Not worth dumping big money into a 2wd truck. Better yet, sell the truck (part out) and buy a 4wd 1st gen

 

I have the same motor and mine seems perfect with one hundred thousand more miles on it. What was the history of that motor.. Oil changes, overheating ect.

 

I bought the truck back in 2020 with about 205k so I’ve put about 80k on it in 4 years. I have no idea what the previous owner did to keep it up but it was bone stock and everything worked when I bought it, anyways since I’ve owned the truck I changed the oil and filter with Amsoil every 5k miles never had over heating issues. I did have a pinhole in the radiator about 20k miles ago but I put a new one in as soon as I noticed it, so no overheating issues and I switched the fan and fan clutch out for a light weight aluminum one to help the air flow about 15k miles ago I just think the head gasket is from 1999 and has finally gave out I’m about to start digging into it this weekend but I’ll keep this thread updated.

 

Let us know..Most of us want to keep our trucks till we die, and a blown head gasket gets in our way. If mine does it I want some idea's. Good luck and lets hope it's not that expensive

 

That will happen sadly, just did the head gasket (amongst other things) to my 3rz. Just get the good gasket kit like the oem one and buy new head bolts if you do rebuild. It’s fun working on those lil 4 cylinders, but parts do add up quick if you get the quality ones. If ya have a buddy with a straight edge I’d go and check to make sure your heads within spec as well.

 

I'm guessing it's just age. I saw a video about a Land Cruiser that was taken care of yet it had a head gasket issue, and it had this black coating that was falling apart. It is by far the most tortured part in the entire vehicle, all these engines are over 20, and some are even 30.