Rebuild or Replace

[NoChromeOffRoad]

OK. So Im right in the middle of a complete top end overhaul on a '99 3RZ. It appears that the valve seats on several of the exhaust valves are worn and the valves are sitting too far up inside the head.  Ive gotten mixed feedback from people; some say that the entire head must be replaced if the seats are bad, but a machinist also told me that i can use a grinding agent and reseat those valves (This sounds like a band aid fix to me though).  Just wondering if anyone has had any long term success in reconditioning these valve seats, or if I would be better off just coughing up the cash for a new head.  At this point (300K original miles) all opinions and suggestions are welcome....

[wakkjobb]

Those are some high miles even for a Yota... what's the price difference between fixing and replacing, and then think about if the fix goes bad later on; will it be worth the work to replace it later after the fix quits?

I'm no expert on 3RZ stuff but I'm thinking about what I might do in your situation; think I'd get a new head to be on the safe side. If it was only 1 or 2 valves I'd chance reconditioning the seats, but I'm also a cheapskate and hate spending money. How often do 3RZ engines show up at your local junk yards? Maybe you can find one with half the miles, rebuild it and be golden for years to come.



>>Dan

[NoChromeOffRoad]

You know, Im a cheapskate too...thats why Im still riding around in a truck with 300k.  My old man used to say "Drive it til the wheels fall off, then put them back on and drive it some more".  Buying the part is about twice as much as repairing the old one, but its probably the better option. The last thing I want is to have to do this project again next winter.