Bought a 2012 For $700

Sounds like an interesting question, but not quite understanding. Clarify?

4th Gen EGR has been improved a lot, if that's your drift.

 

I don't think replacing the valve guide seals is necessary, considering the low mikes in the car.

 

Super easy to do with the head off. Inexpensive also. And didn't they come with the head gasket set?
A preventive oil burning thing.
If/when I do my head gasket, I'll be dropping the oil pan, dropping the pistons and cleaning them up.
It's only a little extra work, and "if" the rings are clogging, I can unclog them and I should be good for
at least 190,000 miles, cause that's what I have on it now.

 

You really "shouldn't" have to do that with the lower mileage motor.
But, you shouldn't need to replace the head gasket either!
At least you can do the guide seals by just removing the valve cover. Pretty easy should
you decide/need to do it.

So how is the engine? No leaks? Solid?

 

Congratulations to you and a wonderful new year. You got your car running beautiful. Looks like its a perfect time to cruise by the coast of Oregon with a promising weather. Probably a good timing to take your new baby with you.

 

I don't know about the promising weather; isn't it supposed to rain for about 6 months?

 

Oops today.. Sun is up in the northwest. Were heading to the coast too. I wanna take my 2 little kitties for a cruise on my "feel like new 07 Prius".. Newly oil changed

 

Congratulations to OP on his achievement.

I read the whole thread almost entirely. I have one question I couldn't answer.

Why did the OP opted to get a new (used) engine instead of rebuilding the original one?

With his skills, I would have certainly rebuilt the original engine instead of messing with another one.

Did I miss anything here?

 

He's all by himself, and time is crucial to his side. Sometimes you got to take a certain path. Bottom line is "He got the job done the right way in the end".

 

Joe Ben says (in "Sometimes a Great Notion"):

“oh yeah, the mainest thing . . . is, when you fall, fall in the direction of your work..."

 

They built a gen 4. Out with the old, in with the new.

 

I understand the desire to put in a lower mileage engine. But once the engine is rebuilt properly, I would think it is as good as the lower mileage one. 208k engine is not that old for Prius. I have hear 400k+ ones.

Someone said above that you wanted to get the job done quicker by getting another engine. I don't think this would be the real reason to be honest.
But this is not to criticize you in anyway. I really admire your determination and your skills in this adventure.

I love to repair things. I only replace them if repairing is not an option. If I was around you and knew you, I would have convinced you to repair the original engine

As for the original engine, I guess the best would be(in my humble opinion) to rebuild and sell it in this case. You don't need a spare engine. If something happens, you will be repairing your engine quicker than removing and replacing it with a spare one.

 

I couldn't find it, but did you say one of the rods was bent? That might of been another thread though.
Since the original engine is out, you can drop the pan, pull the pistons, check the rings and see if they are clogged.
If so, you can clean them up, or replace them with the 2015 ones, and the piston should you choose.
Hone out the cylinders, check for wear, which will probably be minimal.
Then do the head gasket. The head was not damaged was it? It is still straight/flat?
Then you could sell that one, recoup the money from the one you bought.

Have you been able to contact the place you bought the used motor from?