1996 SR engine question

[Josh p]

I have a 96 SR that I bought after reading a lot about them on here. I absolutely love it. The water pump failed when my daughter was driving it. I replaced the timing belt, pump, etc. and got it running. Turns out it also has a blown HG. I don't have the time to fix it and it is also making an engine sound that I can't identify. Shop has quoted 2300 to replace the HG but I'm hesitant to replace it and still have possible issues elsewhere (or discover them after investing money into the tear down).
I haven't been able to find an engine locally. I don't want to invest 4K into a crate motor plus installation. Anyone have one in a wrecked truck they want to sell? Any other ideas I am missing? A swap of some kind?

 

[Earlron]

Where are you located?

 

[Earlron]

I've got a complete 3.5 with fresh heads. But I see you're in Washington, I'm in San Diego.

 

[mudraider]

I have a 96 SR that I bought after reading a lot about them on here. I absolutely love it. The water pump failed when my daughter was driving it. I replaced the timing belt, pump, etc. and got it running. Turns out it also has a blown HG. I don't have the time to fix it and it is also making an engine sound that I can't identify. Shop has quoted 2300 to replace the HG but I'm hesitant to replace it and still have possible issues elsewhere (or discover them after investing money into the tear down).
I haven't been able to find an engine locally. I don't want to invest 4K into a crate motor plus installation. Anyone have one in a wrecked truck they want to sell? Any other ideas I am missing? A swap of some kind?

First off, location. The 6G74 DOHC motor is going to be fun to find. Expect to pay a bit for it. Are you/can you do any of the work? There are some Toyota swaps you can do, keeping the stock trans, but having someone else do them is going to add a lot of $$$$

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[kalieracer]

Low mileage JDM motors are 2500 on ebay shipped. There are tons of companies that sell them, you just have to call around a bit.

First off, location. The 6G74 DOHC motor is going to be fun to find. Expect to pay a bit for it. Are you/can you do any of the work? There are some Toyota swaps you can do, keeping the stock trans, but having someone else do them is going to add a lot of $$$$

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[mudraider]

Low mileage JDM motors are 2500 on ebay shipped. There are tons of companies that sell them, you just have to call around a bit.

Low mileage? I worked for a place here in the States that imported those in. Most of them, the mileage was unknown. After all, we are talking a 15+ year old motor. We made the mileage sound reasonable (70k-80k) and rolled with it. Granted, compared to US motors, they were hardly broke in. Hopefully the OP can find one locally and has the capability to do it himself.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[Salonika]

Take it out, have it rebuilt, put it back in. Then you know exactly what you have.

 

[Josh p]

I am in Bremerton Wa. I have rebuilt one engine (a 1.8l GTI Motor) but I have swapped a few BMW engines. I could probably do it but it would be at my limit of ability and would take me forever. I thought I found an engine nearby for 700 and was willing to pay a shop 1800 to do the timing belt, water pump, and rear main seal and install it. Turns out the engine was shot so that option is gone.

I would rather not spend more than 3k on it and that would have to be a rebuilt or verified low mileage engine. I am wondering if I should just buy a beater to drive and rebuild it myself over the winter. I work over full time and go to school over half time so it would probably take me the whole winter.

 

[Salonika]

I'm not suggesting you rebuild it. You pull it, take it to an engine shop and have them do it, then reinstall. I did mine it a little over two weeks total time, working on it after work. The important thing is to have a good place to do it, and have help available when you need it.

 

[Josh p]

Yeah that sounds like it might be the best option. I am going to check pricing on the rebuild. I plan on driving the vehicle for a long time so it would nice to have a rebuilt engine.