/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>1990533
Its difficult to determine.
Any old 350 sbc engine would be super easy to wrench on the roadside however your chances of something happening requiring you to have to do roadside work are increased (depending on the miles on that engine) I mean if you pay attention to life, you'd check all the right things before going on a trip like that.
Whereas a 1zz-fe engine would likely not cause you any major issues, it would be slightly more involved to wrench on the roadside.
Also keep in mind, wrenching on one bank of cylinders its much easier than two.
The less moving and electronic parts the better.

If I were preparing for a trip with an SBC, I'd swap out the timing chain/belt for timing gears, slide in a fresh set of cams, springs and lifters. Replace the waterpump, thermostat and radiator, fill 'er with fresh coolant and oil, check all lines and hoses for aging and replace as necessary, then proceed on my trip. Same would go for the 1zz engine minus the cams, lifters and springs (1zz is more reliable there)
As for the rest of the vehicle, take a spare tire AND a can of fix a flat. Inspect the axel boots know if your brakes need replacing.

Pic related is a 5VZfe, also reliable and ready