NEED ADVICE: new engine or go for broke

O

oldskoolvws

New member
Hi all,

Not a "all the time" forum member, but I do come here from time and time again when I need Toyota love. Sorry for the long post but wanted to make sure you have all the information.

So my situation:

I am original owner, 1987 4Runner, 22RE. Clock sits at exactly 296,456. Never ridden that hard, sees snow and mud once in a great while on a family trip or when I feel like exercising the 4x4. Normally my DD highway miles. Currently has DT tri-y and full custom exhaust, Supra AFM, 2nd Gen intake and TB, rebuilt marlin HD trans (8K miles) with new HD clutch.

So it's started leaking behind the timing cover to the block on the passenger side behind the A/C bracket. Last time I changed this, I used Ted's parts and I think permatex (never again). I only use FIPG now. I dropped the pan last go around.

I did a compression test and got 150 / 135 / 150 / 150. I did #2 again wet and got 150 with zero leak down. I drove it today and will check #2 again tomorrow when it's dry. I may have not seated the adapter correctly. Also the plugs looked water wet, not fuel wet when I pulled them. They had minor corrosion around the thread areas but electrodes looked good with a little wear. I have strong power still though.

Anyway, I'm on the fence. Not sure what I want to do. I've deduced the following options:

1) In the interest of saving time and money: Buy RV head from Ted,install turbo HG and obviously replace all the timing stuff with new water and oil pump. Run it until it dies.

2) Pull motor and replace with (really don't want to spend the cash, but available if necessary)??? Would like engine on-hand before pulling mine out
- Oregon Engines "super stock" ***LIFETIME WARRANTY***
- Piece together entire kit from Ted and build myself.
- 22RE performance engine
-Local shop rebuilder (NORCAL. Yodaman?)
- open to suggestions

Ideally, If I swap motors, I'd like to see another 300K miles.

So what's the consensus on what I should do? Any input greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

OSVW
 
Register to hide this ad
- Oregon Engines "super stock" ***LIFETIME WARRANTY***


Before you do business with oregon engine builders do a google search. I was looking for an engine a while back for my runner and thought about buying an engine online and found bad reviews from a few builders online, can't pinpoint if it was oregon engine builders though. But a 100% lifetime warranty sounds iffy to me. just my .02
 
If it were me, I'd by a new factory head and start rebuilding the whole engine. This way you know it is built right and your going to get 300+k out of it.
regards
 
mpleitez said:
- Oregon Engines "super stock" ***LIFETIME WARRANTY***


Before you do business with oregon engine builders do a google search. I was looking for an engine a while back for my runner and thought about buying an engine online and found bad reviews from a few builders online, can't pinpoint if it was oregon engine builders though. But a 100% lifetime warranty sounds iffy to me. just my .02
Click to expand...

I've been doing that (searching Google) . Oregon engines have a few documented <10K failures online, but they have repaired / replaced each time according to each account. Big downside is that you have to ship the motor back to them for lifetime portion. Great warranty if you break a timing chain or throw a rod, but what if the timing cover leaks like it does now? Do I want to take out the whole engine and ship back to repair? I've been in contact with them already and they seem friendly and knowledgeable.

I've also heard good and bad about engnbldr. I think it really is luck of the draw with any rebuilder, even Toyota specific ones. Just not sure what to do at this point. I've not seen one bad experience online with 22REperformance.com but they're online Stage 1 with porting will still be $2500.

No one leaning towards just a head swap?
 
I'll also have a 3vze engine and trans pulled (in good condition) in January for my V8 swap. I'll sell it cheap.
 
I've come to the opinion that for my needs, it isn't worth replacing a 22RE with another 22RE unless the rest of the truck is really sound. I love the motor, but as cheap as these trucks go it's more cost/time effective to buy another one than replace the motor in the one you've got. YMMV.
 
KidVermicious said:
I've come to the opinion that for my needs, it isn't worth replacing a 22RE with another 22RE unless the rest of the truck is really sound. I love the motor, but as cheap as these trucks go it's more cost/time effective to buy another one than replace the motor in the one you've got. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Truck is as sound as it gets. Zero rust, faded in the paint a little but everything is solid.

Did another compression check of #2 cylinder. 130 - 135 dry, 150 wet. I did a leak down wet and it held at 150 which leads me to believe I have ring issues on #2. Thoughts?

If I do another motor, the block will be local or new. Thanks for the offers. Just on the fence on where / what I should buy. Leaning against just throwing a head on it now.
 
oldskoolvws said:
Truck is as sound as it gets. Zero rust, faded in the paint a little but everything is solid.

Did another compression check of #2 cylinder. 130 - 135 dry, 150 wet. I did a leak down wet and it held at 150 which leads me to believe I have ring issues on #2. Thoughts?

If I do another motor, the block will be local or new. Thanks for the offers. Just on the fence on where / what I should buy. Leaning against just throwing a head on it now.
Click to expand...

22REperformance.com has some good reviews - if I had ended up replacing my blown up 22RE, I was going to go with a stage 2.5 rebuild from them. Bonus that they're close to you.
 
Well, I couldn't take it anymore. Buy from here, buy from there. Call here, call there. Search for good, search for bad. I couldn't decide.

Threw the names in a hat.....who would it be?

Oregon Engines, lifetime warranty?
LC Engineering, costly..ouch?
Yodaman, great, local, but..ouch?
Sunwest Automotive, good warranty, no bad reviews?
22RE Performance, no bad reviews...costly?
22RE.COM, no bad reviews...costly?
Rebuild myself, parts from engnbldr, ebay, whatever...arrrgh!!!!!?

Out came..................
 
Sunwest Automotive, Washington. Picked up the phone, placed the order.

Website:

1-NEW HYPER PISTONS
2- 45.5mm Stainless Steel Intake Valves
37.5mm Stainless Steel Exhaust Valves
reduced shank swirl polished
3-PORT AND POLISHED NEW CYLINDER HEAD, CYLINDER HEAD CASTING NEW
4-NEW LOW END CAM W/420 INT AND EXH LIFT
5-NEW PERFORMANCE VALVE SPRINGS
6-STEEL TIMING CHAIN GUIDES
7- BALANCED ENGING WITH SURFACED FLYWHEEL AND BALANCER
8-NEW TIMING CHAIN COVER
9-NEW OIL PUMP
10-FULL SET OF GASKETS
11- PRE RUN ENGINE IN FACTORY WITH PRINT OUT OF ACTURAL OIL PRESSURE AND COMPRESSION.

Here's the simple rundown on the receipt:

85-952.4L 4-Cyl SOHC with carb or EFI. Toyota Pickup, 4-Runner & Celica. W/ R.V. CAM AND NEW CYLINDER HEAD CASTING,PORT AND POLISHED HEAD BALANCED SUPPLIED WITH FLYWHEEL AND BALANCER OVERSIZE STAINLESS VALVES REBUILT LONG BLOCK ENGINE USE OEM PISTONS AND RINGS

Yes, for longevity, I went with OEM Pistons and Rings instead of KB Hyper's. I think this combo will hopefully give me at least 10-12 years of love, if not more.

So, now I wait.
 
Last edited:
It's going to run about $2550, top to bottom, balanced and shipped, including core return.

Seems like all the top end re-builders are around that same price.
 
I think after 25 years of ownership, it may be time for a small make over.

Thoughts:

15x8 wheels
31x10.5 tires
some kind of IFS lift

Any input?
 
oldskoolvws said:
It's going to run about $2550, top to bottom, balanced and shipped, including core return.

Seems like all the top end re-builders are around that same price.
Click to expand...
See, I just feel like that's too much money for a 22re. That's less than I'm going to spend on my 3rz swap - several hundred less. To each their own, I suppose, I hope it works out for you!
 
Nice thread man. That is some meticulous use of those zip ties. I like it. My HOA would have a fit if I tried to pull the engine in the street but from the looks of the tools in the garage I guess there is just no room. Rebuild looks great by the way.
 
I dig those zipties. After masking tape didn't work, I ended up scribbling all over my motor and hoses with a white-out pen. :lmao:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 982 (members: 4, guests: 978)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,085
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top