huddleston

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys, I recently picked up a 1991 Cobalt Blue Metallic LS400. The car was purchased from our local Lexus dealership and was a 1 owner car until September of last year when it was sold to a 16 year old. I have the maintenance history of the car and everything looks good for a 20+ year old car. I bought the car for $500 because the current teenage owner says the car has a "broken piston rod". The kid clearly abused the car. I bought the car with plans of restoring it and using as my daily driver. My question is this - at this point would if be easier to swap the engine with another 1UZ-FE or is this broken piston rod something that can be replaced? Thanks.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

how sure are you on the broken connecting rod? seen it for yourself? motor not running? could be a simple fix but not likely at $500.

but if the motor is truly FUBAR'd then a long block replacement would be your best bet. stick to the same year motor for an easier change over. my opinion, i would not want to rebuild such as old motor. also only the kid knows what truly happened to it so just start of clean and fresh.

huddleston

iTrader: (3)

I haven't seen it. I am having to take the sellers word for it. I figure at $500 even if the engine needs to be replaced I picked up a car with a full interior and for a decent price. He says the motor is not running but I am planning on taking it to my mechanic to see what he has to say about it.

I started looking online for replacement engines but mainly found 95+ ones. Is there a well know source I am not aware of? I'd prefer to use another 1uz-fe to make the swap easier as opposed to going with a newer engine.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

95 motors are OBDII which has lots of extra sensors your 1st gen motor doesn't. hard to find locally but there are engine importers that may have a long block ready to go.

found these guys in my local craigslist and they are in NJ!
http://www.jdmenginezone.com/

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...838375813.html