Blown headgasket on a 1998 4runner. Is it worth pulling the head and doing the gasket, or putting in another engine. I actually have another 3.4 from another 4runner that was rolled. Which is more work?

Thanks!

 

I have replaced the head gasket on my 96. It wasn't terribly difficult, just took some time.

How many miles on each engine? (current and extra)

 

They are both a good bit of work but swapping the engine is more hard labor as opposed to the head gasket is more intricate labor.

With swapping an engine if you don't hook it up right chances are it just won't run. But with a head gasket the results can be allot worse.

If you do the head gasket be sure to take the heads to a shop and have them check that they are not warped. I've seen countless people put all the time into replacing head gaskets and then put a warped head back on and wonder why the new gasket didn't hold after 10K miles.

 

I'd probably do the HG...As bigpoppa said, how many miles on each. The switch may be better.

 

Good strong advise! I would say after doing an engine swap on my Taco 3.4 that the heads are a lot easier "I mean come on the tranny has to come out too!" and the tranny is more of a pain than the engine!
he has a point. but it is still a lot of work and I would suggest waiting until the engine has to be replaced.

Really the head gasket is a lot easier and less frustrating. but make sure not to take any short cuts get the valves reseated while you are at it and you will get a lot farther in the long run!!!!!!!!!!

 

Great advice, thanks. The one with the blown HG has 160k. The other one I have has been 85k on it and is out of a 2001. Has had mobile one changes throughout, but has been sitting for 2 years and is occasionally started up about 1x every 2 months and run for 10 minutes.

 

IMO it would be a lot easier to replace the head gasket than swap out the engine.

I would save the donor engine for when you might really need to replace your T4R's original engine.