12 down, 12 to go ...

[XEMON]

Exactly 1/2 way through this project.
Been a huge learning curve, only outsource the surfacing ...

[Carp]

That right there reminds me of some fond "summer" school auto-mechanics class memories. I grinded many ah seats and stems that summer. 😉

[NONOBLITUS]

What’s the project this is going on ?

[XEMON]

My 4runner blew a head gasket at ~170K ...
nothing too fancy, but definitely a big engine. It's the first car I really work on, I'm more a motorcycle guy (done a few engine rebuild).

That's what's left in the engine bay ... A naked block and the transmission ...

[NONOBLITUS]

Nice, good to get the ole fingers greasy and do it yourself.

[Grendel]

Have fun, I enjoyed rebuilding the top side of my 7.3L Navistar diesel a couple years ago or at least that is what my memory tells me. I am pretty sure there was a lot of yelling, cursing and thoughts of giving up during the process but what is fun about doing something that is easy. One piece of advice, do not skimp on the parts buy good quality things will go smoother. I bargained basement some of my fuel system tubing and well just got done rebuilding something in the heat of the summer that should have lasted decades.

[XEMON]

I learned that the hard way on previous project ...

I'm a little concerned about the timing chain, the 3 chained have to be perfect with all the gear in place ... Only done love and cam before, so timing never been much a concern ...

[Jordan]

I learned that the hard way on previous project ...

I'm a little concerned about the timing chain, the 3 chained have to be perfect with all the gear in place ... Only done love and cam before, so timing never been much a concern ...

Line up your marks and you'll be fine... just follow the manual. (You have a manual, right? 🙂)

[XEMON]

I do!
Got it before I even decided to do it ...
Never done timing chains before, more used to older engines ...

[Cunha]

Timing chains aint new! Small block chevy..etc.

Regardless, its always takes a lot of soul energy out of me to save the bucks of having a shop do car work. There are only so many weekends in our lives!

[Jordan]

Pushrod vs OHC chains... two very different animals.

[Tarsun2]

i loved my 98 4runner. and i adored the 5vzfe engine.
if you take your time and follow the manual, youll be ok. dont take any shortcuts. i remember doing the timing belt on that engine.
i also remember doing the timing belt and water pump on the audi tt 1.8 and talk about TIGHT.
i had to remove one of the motor mounts and drop the engine down to get to the bottom stuff and then jack it way up to get to the top stuff. such a pain.
its the only thing keeping me from buying another one. (that and all the constant work they need)