Engine swap

Aloha friends, I have 2005 tundra ( bought in 2020) and it has had issues with overheating since I bought it. Have had the water pump, timing belt, etc redone about 4 times (was warrantied so didn’t have to waste a bunch of $).Had the radiator replaced about a year ago after it over heated badly the first time (that radiator lasted 18 years which blew my mind ). For some reason the issue persisted and I just kept topping off the coolant because I was fed up with taking it back and it not being solved. A few months ago it over heated again this time really bad. I was driving it shut down and steering wheel locked up then started smoking out under the hood and out of the exhaust which was a result of the radiator cracking check engine light was on but no codes . I let it sit for a while because I was busy and didnt really have the funds to take care of the issue at the time since I had just moved, jumped the battery because it was dead and checked for codes again and nothing. Took it back to same shop that did the water pump a million times before and they fixed it up, then realized the radiator wasn’t holding any pressure and noticed the crack. Had my friend replace the radiator since he did it before and part was also warrantied. Right after we did the radiator took it for a test drive and started misfiring like crazy. Check engine light came on, ran the codes and we diagnosed that my head gasket is blown. Both of my mechanics are telling me it would be cheaper or end up some where the same in cost if I just engine swap instead of trying to fix the head gasket and essentially would be getting a “new car” if engine is swapped. I’m just bummed because the mileage was less than 200k and I live in Hawaii and it has proven to be extremely difficult to find a tundra here let alone an engine to swap with. I found a 2000 tundra engine ( v8 4.7 l) so my question is will any 4.7L first gen tundra engine be eligible to swap into my 05 or should I keep my eyes open for the same year engine. Thank you.

 

Need an 05 or 06. The 00-04 didn’t have vvti.

 

Thank you! I don’t know much about engine swaps or much about cars in general I’ve just been at a loss and idk what to do anymore. Friends think I should sell it but other than the water pump issue she is in reallllt good condition especially for being in Hawaii where vehicles don’t last long cosmetically. I know it’s a solid truck and I don’t want to give up on her

 

I wonder if the original overheating was something stupid, like air trapped in the system because either (A) the person who replaced the t-stat didn't clock it correctly with the jiggle valve at 12 o'clock (+/- 1hr) or possibly (B) because there's blockage somewhere else in the system impeding the flow of coolant?

I'd ask you though: How did the shop come to the conclusion the head gasket is blown?

Are they seeing fluids somewhere they shouldn't? (if so, what fluids and where?)
Did they reach that conclusion by doing a compression test? (if so, which cylinders etc.?)

Maybe it's just the way the story was pitched, but something sounds bizarre with "Replaced radiator, truck immediately started misfiring like crazy." <--- this is not me doubting you, it's me doubting the circumstance. These trucks typically DO NOT just start random misfire after a radiator replacement, and random misfires are not a "typical" symptom of a blown head gasket. Without knowing what codes, it's hard to say though.

I just think, personally, it'd be a shame if the overheat was caused by something simple like air trapped in the coolant lines (or blockage because someone was stupid and didn't use pink coolant, or mixed coolants), or you just needed a new t-stat that's correctly clocked, and/or the misfires were a single coil pack going bad, or someone dicked up one of the grounds, because a bad ground will cause misfires, as will a number of other things.

 

The way its worded sounds like:
Engine has been worked on tirelessly, replacing water pumps constantly, second radiator, trying to fix an overheating issue.
The overheating issue is most likely compression getting into the water jacket, which after the engine is up to temps can produce steam in the coolant system and will overpressurize the radiator and make them swell and split. Sure the radiator cap is supposed to vent off any excess pressure at 10+ psi but that doesnt mean the radiator cap was working or the coolant bottle is doing its job or hooked up properly ect.
What is sounds like is: had a minimal head gasket issue, driving along and didnt watch the gauge and it shot up and melted the minimal head gasket clearance and made a full on tsunami of water into the cylinder, which then put compression and steam into the water system and voila instant spike in temp and overheat and engine shut down.
Replaced the radiator since it popped, probably another water pump because everyone thinks its the water pumps fault when it overheats, and once they got it back cranked the spits and sputters and barely run condition is because water in the cylinder fouled out the plug and/or they are spitting coolant directly into a cylinder causing one hole to be dead.

I think there is a video of that man/girl who works on an older MR2 that does good tutorials on how to do things, i think he'she did a video on a tundra engine with blown head gasket and pulled it apart and all. Its been a few years ago since i was really digging for info on all the things that could happen with these trucks but i recall a video like that. He'she may have a video showing how to fix it, or maybe that 2uz video was just an engine tear down. Can it be fixed, oh yeah but its probably going to be $4500 after all the work. Can a new engine fix it, oh yeah but thats typically a $5500+ job donor engine included.

 

Yeah that is what happened pretty much. There was a coolant leak for a long time so I’m assuming that is also why they blamed the water pump. After they did the water pump kit I took it to my friend (different mechanic) who previously did the radiator since the part was warrantied, and when he test drove it is when it started shooting smoke and misfiring. Then he ran the codes and told me something’s up with the compression (I don’t remember what he said exactly).
The other mechanics didn’t have the issue of the smoke and misfiring because they didn’t put coolant in the radiator because they had noticed the crack, they filled it with water and I was able to drive it a mile to my friends other shop with no issues. Engine didn’t sound good very lethargic sound to it but she drove. Then once the radiator was replaced we put coolant in and that’s when we diagnosed the compression issue when it started shooting out. Also when we were filling the radiator and the truck was running it literally shot the coolant straight up into the air like a crazy cartoon science experiment.

 

People are telling me to sell her but I really don’t want to. Other than the overheating issues she is in perfect condition with brand new paint and everything, wheels, etc. and it is extremely difficult to find a first gen like that in top shape… ESPECIALLY in Hawaii where all the trucks got major rust

 

How's the frame? Not just a casual, "Yeah, looks fine." but actually crawling under the truck and poking/tapping the usual trouble spots.