3RZ-FE! Replace? Rebuild? Repair?

I have a 2003 2.7 3RZFE with 198,000 miles, proper maintenance with documentation throughout her life, frame, transmission and paint are still mint!

Started losing coolant with no signs of external leak, no mis-fire, no smoke, no signs of oil in antifreeze etc. Found coolant in a cylinder after a coolant pressure system test, figured it's the beginning of a crack in the head or I presume likely the start of a head gasket leak.

Anyone have any input on the following options? Would love to hear some debate on my next option.

Repair: Pull the head, bring it to a shop to resurface, re-do the valves etc. Local machine shop with amazing reputation: $1,000 + extra if the head is cracked etc.

Replace: Yota1 https://209yota1.com/products/3rz-2-7l-rebuilt-engine/roughly $3,500-$4,000 essentially plug and play.

Rebuild: Pull motor, bring to same local machine shop with amazing reviews: $3,700
Includes: Clean, Bore, Deck, new expansion plugs, crankshaft grind, connecting rods, valve job, gasket kit, rod bearings, pistons, main bearings, thrust washers, oil pump, timing set, head bolts and a new head (if needed, otherwise around 3,000)

I know JDM motors are popular, but it feels like a crapshoot I don't really have the patience to mess around with, plus none of the shops will give you any warranty unless you are a certified mechanic.

I'm comfortable pulling the motor, there isn't much to it other then time. I'm not really comfortable with opening the head and messing with timing and the cams, so i'm leaning towards replace or rebuild.

Thanks for any opinions, except for ones i don't agree with. It's the internet after all?!

 

About half the gasket failures here were not from the the gasket.....but turns out to be a crack in the head....

With 200K on these blocks aint shit........its the heads....the original heads that are cracking between the valves...

especially if the truck was pampered.....and there is no other reason.......cant pamper a cracked head.....

So with that in mind I would be very suspicious of the heads......



As far as the short block....if it wasnt using oil....and taken care of......should almost be like new.....



If you get a yota1 one make sure you dont have to wait 9 months....get it writing...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug--U5FkTTo&t=1502s

 

As far as timing .....between these guys here and the timmy toolman videos...
you can get it done......


stop learning ....you start to die.....


just be careful with the spring loaded exhaust cam.....
.....number of vids out .....watch em all if you can....

I ended up with aftermarket thicker heads......didnt want to do this again in few years...

 

Toyota 2.4/2.7 2RZ/3RZ 8 port intake Assembled Cylinder Head | King Cylinder Heads


just make sure you get the 4 port one.....post 2000.....

 

I also got rid of the single core denso radiator......and switched to 3 core champion....

And the pink coolant that likes to coat all the aluminum in a slime layer.....
got rid of that and switched to the new prestone ulta....350K/15yr coolant...

still change it every 3 yrs or so....

 

I'm slightly persuaded to go this route now, I assume when you do the head, its not a terrible time to do, Timing set, water pump and oil pump?

 

Glad you posted this @woad4. I'm in the same process with my 2.7. It's out and on the stand but hasn't been cracked open yet. If you could keep us informed as to what you end up with I would really appreciate it. I all ready looked at the link for the King cylinder heads that @O'Silver_Taco posted but they're out of stock. I don't believe my head is bad but when your at this point of the process I think upgrading to something better is a wise decision. Want to keep this truck for another 10/15 years.
Thanks
John

 

These heads are getting kinda hard to source....
.....might have to start posting 'help find head' thread here or in the classifieds...

these guys here are like super sleuths finding obscure parts....


And far as the ones that say they're out of stock....I'd still give em a call or text em...
they might have a solution for you....

everything is ass backwards now.....you have double and triple check with everyone now a days.....

 

This is where I bought my 2rz/3rz head two years ago...

BRAND NEW Toyota 4Runner Tacoma T-100 2.4L 2.7L 2RZ 3RZ Cylinder Head 1995-1999 | eBay

 

Perfect, I've got the budget for that for sure.
Two questions!

-for that head, just an oem toyota head gasket kit work? Do you need exhaust studs anything else to install?

Also while I got the front opened up, new oil pump and water pump, thermostat and spark plugs, kinda seems what I've researched so far. Inspect the timing guides and tensioner, I'm assuming their fine.

 

YEah I did a round robin when I did mine....oil pump/seal....harmonic balance seal ...
and even the front block main shaft seal......right behind the HB seal....

I bought a bunch of stuff from lc engineering....studs....the exhaust nuts....

buy the oem head gasket overhaul kit....pony up whatever it is ....like $300.....
yota 1 or one of those others high end suppliers....

also the 2rz/3rz you have to get injector cups ......dont come with it....not reusable either....and easy to break installing,tight fit.....

Lc has these alignment pins that go between the head and block and allow for a perfect mating....

and recommend getting the allen screws for the oil pump housing from LC too.....


Gasket Set - Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma 2.7L 3RZ-FE (2000-2004) Genuine Head Gasket Set 04112-75190 (yotashop.com)

Head Bolts - Toyota 2.4L & 2.7L 2RZ & 3RZ 4Runner, T100 & Tacoma Engine Cylinder Head Bolt Set with Washers (1995-2004) GS33402 (yotashop.com)

 

Dowel Pin 2RZ/3RZ Cylinder Head To Block Dowel Pin OEM Toyota P/N: 90253-15016 (lceperformance.com)

 

My head came with the distrib knock out opened.....

so just stuck in an engine block freeze plug in that one hole.....

Lc sells a plug for that exact hole.....

2RZ/3RZ Distributor Block Off (lceperformance.com)

 

LC Engineering Toyota performance parts and automotive products. (lceperformance.com)

 

You're an absolute stud, thank you!

 

Well, ......actually I'm more like a bolt.....


I had to cut the head off a bolt to make a stud yesterday....
dont want to be that guy......

especially when I took the carbide french tickler to it to clean the threads up....

 

That doesn't sound fun, don't put that bad luck on this thread, I've got a journey to undergo soon!

Seal packing? This is in the factory service manual, i've never seen it anywhere else. Got any experience with it? the exact area or how much to do? The part no. itself isn't that expensive, so I don't mind purchasing it.

 

Yeah that's toyota sealant.....
.......most people on earth use that 'black magic' rtv at every auto store...

Permatex Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker 3 oz. - 75190 - Walmart.com

PERMATEX Ultra Black 82180 Max Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker 3.35oz | eBay

 

The official toyota stuff is......

TOYOTA Seal Packing 103 (FIPG) OEM Toyota P/N: 00295-00103 (lceperformance.com)




I dont particularly like this stuff....over time the engine heat cooks it and turns it rock hard.......cracks if disturb later in life......

and way over priced....

 

Ah the price makes me happier! I saw someone use the same stuff to seat the spark plug tubes in the head? Have you seen that as well?



That marked area is where it goes, just a thin layer? My mind can't figure out why you would do that, then put a gasket on top of it?