Motor BLEW UP...Used or Rebuilt replacement?

The problem as I see it is no machine shop has built literally millions of the exact same motor and therefore no machine shop can claim the same reputation that a Toyota built motor comes with. With Toyota the sample size is high enough to feel good about your chances. No shop can offer that.

 

You do realize that engines aren't on the level of precision of a mechanical wrist watch, right? A quality machinist has tools and skills to check and verify that their work is within spec - the same spec that Toyota manufactures to.

 

$18,000

 

That's about what I've got into my new sbc for my Camaro !!!

 

What year is the truck? If it's pre-2012 find a low miles J-VIN from a 2007-2009 FJ. Post 2011 any low miles from a Tacoma.

Best bet is find an engine from a known local source.

Either case, BEFORE you install the engine, no matter how many miles on it, pull the valve covers and upper oil pan and inspect it and put a camera in the cylinders. That's about the best you can do to protect yourself without pulling the whole engine apart. I got a 1GR-FE one time that was 100% legit pulled from a truck with 47K miles on it, looked perfect! Pulled the valve covers and, yup it it did have 47K miles on it, problem was.... Never had an oil change since brand new. Shipped it right back to them.

If your going to swap the engine, I'd also go ahead and replace...

- Valve cover gaskets
- intake gaskets
- exhaust gasket
- PCV valve
- hoses
- Radiator
- pulley bearings
- thermostat


While you got it out of the truck.

Also inpect the fuel injectors, especially 5 and 6, alot easier to replace while your doing the other stuff than later

 

1GR-FE are close to a wrist watch in precision as compared to most engines actually. It doesn't take much to throw everything out of whack. You can't machine much.

 

Above all do not buy an engine from a 2004-2006 4Runner, 2005-2006 Tacoma.

 

plus it’s hand built. If the machinist is skilled and careful it will be built to a higher standard than a machine made factory motor.

 

From a cost/benefit view, I would do a good used engine all day before doing a rebuild or buying a rebuild. You can inspect, check the compression, and do all the maintenance before you put it in the truck.

 

I have nothing to add but really want to know the reason for driving your truck even though every possible dash warning lights are illuminated?

 

This is the type of response I was looking for. Someone with experience with a swap/replacement/rebuild. My truck is an '08 4x4. What is the advantage of a 2007-2009 FJ engine over a Tacoma of a similar year?

I found an engine from a 2011 Tacoma with 70k miles on it. Ran a carfax and it has maintenance history (regular oil changes), including a 50k and 60k service (actually done at 69k per the carfax history report) right before it was totaled at 70k. The Carfax indicates it was maintained at the dealer through its entire life and only had 2 owners, so it's looking like a solid runner, and it comes with a 6-month warranty.

I will do all the checks you suggested and replace the gaskets.

Thank you!

 

You have to check out the machine shop carefully. The one I've used rebuilds all sorts of exotic engines. When I first went there they showed me the shop, there were 12 cyl Ferrari engines and others that you probably couldn't get another one if it got messed up. I'm confident they can assemble a better engine than the factory.
Factory pistons said they were balanced to 1 gram on the box, they static and dynamically balanced the engine to 0.1 gram, an order of magnitude better.
The 22R engine with a factory red line of 6000 rpm was now safe to 8000, with the long duration cam it ran great.
I would take an engine this shop rebuilt over a new factory engine.

 

You can find a used motor with under 100,000 miles for 1500.00 from a rolled truck or rear end crash if you have time to look.
Do a carfax on it, look on Craigslist.

Shop around and you can find someone that will do the swap for 1500.00

It will cost you in the range of 3000.00 depending if you reseal the new motor that you buy.

 

Crazy. I can build a full on 500 hp 327 Chevy race motor for less than 12k.

 

Get a 3.5 out of a wrecked 3rd gen. Toyota says it's the better engine.

 

I don't think that's plug and play

 

Lots of good info on here, sub’d cause I’m in the same boat

 

Thanks, I plan on doing the swap at a buddies shop, so I'm willing to spend a little more on the motor since Ill be saving a ton on labor.

 

Cool,
Because the motor will be out of the truck and if you have the time these are things you can do
AND will be so easy with the engine out.


Do
1) rear main seal
2) clutch, pilot bearing
3) timing belt and all those parts
4) valve cover gaskets

 

2007-2009 J-VIN 1GR-FE were made in Japan, not the US or Mexico. They are generally accepted as the best 1GR-FE and they will drop into a pre-2012 Tacoma with no issues. So if your going to do a swap, that's what I would recommend. Got 2009 J-Vin in mine