Need advice on 3.0 with 250k on it...

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KingOfFools

KingOfFools

Joined
Aug 22, 2006
Threads
10
Messages
104
Location
Chapel Thrill NC
Hello all, I have a 1990 4Runner 3.0 5sp 4x4 that has been in the family since 93ish and 30,000 miles. 17 years later and now with close to 250k on it, I have developed an external leak from the drivers side head gasket. Head gaskets were done about 30k miles ago, with the updated gaskets. Is this thing worth going back into? It runs pretty well, starting to spark knock a little bit. The truck itself is not in terrible shape (no thanks to my padre), and I will probably keep it as long as its repairable. I have been a tech for 15 years, and have the space to do the work, but is the 3.0 worth the effort, or should I swap a 3.4 or TDI into it? Looking forward to your responses. Thanks, James.

P.S. Ignore my sig, hasn't been updated in a while. And while I do have the space/knowledge to repair the truck, it is my primary form of transport right now, and time is another issue entirely.
 
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Tough call.... On the one hand, for $100-200 you could redo the head gaskets on a weekend, but if they failed after 30K then you may have other issues that would complicate it..... I love all of my trucks, but I drive a Honda Civic as a DD.... :cheers:
 
It is a tough one. Unfortunately had a little more money than time when the heads came off the first time, another tech at the shop needed some side work, so I never saw the heads off to check them over. I'm leaning more towards a swap, just because if I planned on doing heads in a weekend and it turned into more than that, I'd be in trouble. Anyone have much luck rebuilding these?
 
How would a swap be quicker than headgaskets? The guys that used to have a kit for the 3.4 swap, Offroad Solutions, are no longer in business. 3.0 would be easier and probably hold the value of the truck better. I'd go with a rebuild or new/newer engine.
 
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