Buy used 1fz or rebuild

[Cruiserhead05]

I'm definately not trying to open up the rebuild vs replace thread by any means but just wanted some quick opinions.

Some of you may know what i'm talking about when i mention this but i have found a used 1FZ-FE from a 93/94 with 120k miles on it. Its somewhat close to me(east coast) and has good compression numbers reading 170 and above.
Price $1200
My engine is sitting at 255k right now but to be honest im highly debating to drop the 1200 now and have a good backup engine or not pick it up and have a 5-7k rebuild down the road.
Part of me thinks even if i pick this up for 1200, i could sell my solid 255k engine for at least a couple hundred bucks and knock the price down to 1000 for the used one.
Just wanted some opinions on if this sounded like a good idea or not.

Bottom line, if i can save 4-5k and have a 120k mile 1fz it might be a good way to save money.

 

[ryanjl]

You could buy the used one and go ahead and rebuild it. It'd be a lot easier out of a vehicle, you could take your time, then drop it in when you are ready.

I'd just hate to stick a used engine in there with so many unkowns. Yeah, it has good compression numbers, but there's still a lot that could have happened in 120K, and you might have to be pulling it back out in another 40K or so. Have you heard the engine run or anything?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

That's a really good price for a 1fz. There was one similar in a yard here and they wanted $3k for it. I agree with Shocker, take your time rebuilding the other motor, maybe as a slow project, and then you've got a fresh back up if there's problems with your current engine.

Hell, you could swap motors back and forth for the rest of your life.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I emailed the seller and am checking into it a little more. This engine has been for sale a few times in the past so its a little odd that it wouldnt sell at that price.

 

[Biff]

Buy a new gas engine $7000 or Diseal for $8000 at SOR.com, beter than a used one, and you know that it will last you another 255k. Why deal with misc. problems with a used one.

 

[cruiserdan]

If you decide to go the used engine route at least put a head gasket in it and replace the PHH before you drop it in the frame. I would do this regardless of the mileage on the used engine.

 

[gregc]

Buy a new gas engine $7000 or Diseal for $8000 at SOR.com, beter than a used one, and you know that it will last you another 255k. Why deal with misc. problems with a used one.

True, but I know I'd be willing to take a substantial amount of risk for the $4-5k difference.

My TRUCK didn't cost 7g's.

G

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Good point dan. Well unless i hear from the seller i dont think i'll do anything. I would need some good solid evidence that the engine has been taken care of, or atleast has had proper maintanence in order to go forward with it. I'll kepe you guys posted.

 

[Biff]

True, but I know I'd be willing to take a substantial amount of risk for the $4-5k difference.

My TRUCK didn't cost 7g's.

G

neither did mine but It had 160k on the engine. I'd be willing to drop 7k for another 12 years of faithful service, better than starting all over with a new/used rig. If I end up going with this it won't be until I reach similar mileage like cruiserhead5.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Its hard to decide what i'd really like to do. Money is obviously a concern. I'm a 19 yr old college student W/O a good job. I do have some money saved up but dont want to spend every penny doing engine replacement or rebuild. Then again, i dont want to wait til it blows and have more costs brought on cause i'll need a totally new block.
If i knew anything about diesels and had the money i'd get that 1HD-t that SOR offers. but at 9-10k its way out of my ballpark. Either way, i'm staying with the cruiser and if it costs me 5-10k grand to get it going for another 300k i will do it.....i dont want a new car payment. And even if i spent 10k for a new engine and maybe a sweet power-up(turbo) it would be cheaper then a new car and a hell of alot better.

 

[Tools R Us]

I would pull the head and clean up the ports and chambers shooting for more horsepower.

 

[Riad]

I am with Brandon on this one. Definitely a Diesel is first in my choice. But I have question. Can I keep my original tranny or that has to be swapped too?

 

[Biff]

The diseal would be sweet, to bad SOR doesn't include the turbo in it.

 

[cruiserman]

What's the condition of your motor? Drive it until it dies.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Cruiserman,

My engine is original with 255,000 miles. The headgasket was done at 207k miles. I have not done a compression test yet but will at some point. The engine is still strong, sometimes in alot of heat it feels "tired" but i guess thats to be expected.
The issue of "driving it till it dies" has been talked about and i would like to avoid doing this as i risk ruining good parts by blowing the motor.
Rebuilding the engine before it does something real bad like throw a rod and bust a hole in the block will save money in the long.
The wise thing here would have been to rebuild my engine while it was torn apart at 207k and be done with it, have the engine for another 200k.....but, live and learn

 

[cruiserman]

Yes, it would have been best to do it then. No crank or cam work more than likely. If you're going to spend $1200 on a used motor with unknown history, I would spend a little more and rebuild the one you have.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I heard back from the seller this morning. The engine is being sold by a salvage yard in New England and was pulled from an 80 that was hit from the rear. Evidentally it has been started and is running perfect although it doesnt include alot of stuff like alternator, radiator, that type of stuff. He only has two pics but said he would try to get me more. Oh, and cant offer any history on the engine at all. No maint. or anything like that.
I think i may let this pass.

 

[Junk]

Are you comparing apples to apples? I don't know what your prices include, but who's doing the work on the rebuild etc? Who would drop in the used one you're buying etc. Look at the total cost.

 

[LX1HD-FT]

1FZ-FE Engine

Cruiserhead05, I still have the engine I removed from my wife's 97 LX450 when I swapped in a 1HD-FT last year. It has 70,000 miles(115,000 km) and was always Lexus dealer serviced. PM me if you want more information.
Jim

 

[Riad]

Hey Jim, did you do a drop in 1HD-FT swap or you had to get some adapter for the tranny?