My little project

[Mudcat47537]

I picked my first 4 Runner up last week out of a barn. It is an 88 22RE auto with 218,000 miles on it. Actually pretty decent shape besides the motor which has a miss on #2. Ran a compression test and all were 185-190 besides #2 which was 90. A squirt of oil in the cylinder made no change do I start to pull the head off. The engine also has a bad rattle in it which I have thought was the timing chain.
I pulled the head off yesterday to find the offending valve.

The rattle was correctly diagnosed as the timing chain. It actually has a replacement chain and good guides. But the tensioner was stuck possibly from being over tightened. When I was removing the bolts that hold the tensioner on they were super tight and when I broke them lose the tensioner popped out. Here is a pic of the timing cover where the chain was rubbing.

I will drop the head off at the machine shop today. Hopefully I can get it back up and running by the weekend.

 

[KidVermicious]

I like the paint on that. Keep us posted!

 

[Pyroboy]

Nice find! Glad to see you're keen to get it running right again. Keep us posted.

 

[4runnin83]

Damn that thing is sweet!!! How much did you pay for it??

Also, I wish the 3vze was as easy to work on as the 22re.

 

[Mudcat47537]

I picked it up for $400 and drove it home, how could I say no. I've done several 3.0 head gasket jobs and a rebuild. I don't mind them. I was surprised at the "stuff" on the little 22Re making it more difficult to work on.

I should have the head back by this weekend and will be working on it if I get my package from Engine Builder by then. I didn't order until Tuesday due to a brain fart.

 

[KillerToyTops]

Nice find

Nice Runner...damn good deal. have you thought about a soft top?

 

[Mudcat47537]

I would like a soft top or at least a bikini style top.

I got a call from the machine shop yesterday. They said I need 4 new exhaust valves and new valve guides. But he also said that the head had been milled before and when they get done with it I should use a "shim head gasket". I have used these on the cast iron domestic v8s but never on a yota. Anyone have any experience with these type gaskets on a 22RE? Any thoughts?

I have used this machine shop for years and have always had excellent service from them. They have a good reputation around here as well.

 

[KidVermicious]

The 22RE doesn't have a reputation for head gasket trouble like the 3VZE, but it's not unknown. I'm no expert, but in your case I'd get a brand new performance head before rebuilding the existing one and then still having to shim it. Check out engnbldr.com, they've got an awesome rep when it comes to parts for the 22RE.

 

[barrylee66]

nice, great price too. I paid 500 for mine similar deal it was missing and had low comp on 2 cyls. so I took it for a ride after installing lift kit and it threw a rod out the side of the block but kept running .you can see the crank spinning when I start it

 

[Mudcat47537]

nice, great price too. I paid 500 for mine similar deal it was missing and had low comp on 2 cyls. so I took it for a ride after installing lift kit and it threw a rod out the side of the block but kept running .you can see the crank spinning when I start it

That is crazy right there.

 

[4runnin83]

nice, great price too. I paid 500 for mine similar deal it was missing and had low comp on 2 cyls. so I took it for a ride after installing lift kit and it threw a rod out the side of the block but kept running .you can see the crank spinning when I start it

Holy crap

 

[Mudcat47537]

An update. I got my head back and installed.

She fired right up I adjusted the timing and runs really smooth. The miss is gone the timing chain noise is goneThat's the good news.
Now the bad news. The motor still has a knock in it. When cold it is there when it warms up it gets pretty loud. When I remove individual plug wires to try and isolate it I can't tell any noticeable difference. This leads me to believe it is a rod bearing, most likely. When it gets warm it tends to put out a little smoke. The motor has been rebuilt before as the pistons are stamped .10 on top. I know nothing else about it. So by who or when is a mystery.
I am now debating what to do. My time is at a premium with work, school, farm and family. So I am thinking reman short block and putting my rebuilt head on it or just buying a long block and selling my head or hanging onto it. I've been looking for used engines but not found anything locally at all and you never know what you are getting into there either.
Any suggestions?

 

[Mudcat47537]

It lives! I got a used 22r last weekend for $100 and put my put my rebuilt head on it. Got the old motor out the oil pan and pick up switched with all the other crap. Put the new one in this morning and it fired right up. Kind of had me worried a bit because it started smoking but we went for a drive and it quit. Must have been the oil in the exhaust maybe. Went for about a 70 mile drive and it runs like a champ.
Now let the mods begin.

 

[Satchmo]

Good work! Could use some pics though.