Rebuild Top End only? Advice needed
 

Hi everyone. What do you think of this? Do top end only or what? Read on.

I got a 2000 stock 4Runner w/ V6 3.4 liter 5VZ-FE engine and auto tranny, all with 225k miles. Actually the engine is a pick n pull replacement due to major problems 100k miles ago, and at that time I replaced water pump, oil pump and every seal possible at the time without taking apart engine except we did take off oil pan for pump and all seals there. And now the head leaked exteriorly just last month at the head gasket. So I fixed it with coolant trick, but I know that's only temporary fix. So thinkin' of rebuilding just top end, head work, valves, all gaskets on top, etc., not go into bottom end. Runs great with acceptable range compression. Can't afford to buy any replacement 4runner right now. We'll probly keep this another 100k miles. Head work at machine shop will cost me about $600 base price, and head gasket complete set probly about $150 or so. I'll do all the grease monkey work.

So do you agree with my plans? I don't "think" I can afford a bottom end total work. And the tranny will just have to last till I need a pick n pull for it, like I say it's running fine for now but I don't trust the existing head gasket. Any knowledgeable comments appreciated. Thanks.

Dave