Topic: Swap in rebuilt 22re?

[94MtnYote]

 
 Okay so the timing chain on my 94 p/u is toast, one plastic guide gone, rattling and eating in the the aluminum cover. The guide has most likely made it's way down to the oil pan by now.
 So here's the question: should I dork around with all this oil pan and timing chain crap on an engine that already has 170K on it.
Or, just go for a rebuilt 22re, 1300$ from a reputable machine shop, bored .20 over, metal backed guides, and a RV cam.  I might have to pay a grand more for a rebuilt and have it installed but in the long run it could be worth it?

If I pay someone to do the timing chain I could be lookin at over 1500$. Since I might as well have some of the top end redone while it's in the shop.
 Either way this is gonna break the bank
 Any suggestions?

[jimbo74]

you can do the timing chain in a weekend yourself cheaply... the timing chain is the only weak link in the 22r... 170k isnt much at all

i spent less than $500 when i did mine, but i also bought the $200 engine gasket kit which was way more than i needed, and got the $80 lce steel guides... i didn't add a cam, but did have the head rebuilt and a valve job for another $180 (but it can be had way cheaper if you shop around) got the rest of the timing stuff from www.engnbldr.com

[94MtnYote [OP]]

 What about getting to the oil pan is it necessary to remove the front diff?
To do the Timing C. right the head must be removed correct?
 
 

[jimbo74]

head does not have to be removed to do the timing chain

not sure on the diff, i guess it matters how much space you have between the diff and the axle, i did it on a 2wd and i jsut removed the crossmember (4 bolts)

[94MtnYote [OP]]

 Someone once said there could be a risk of oil leakage If done w/o head removal.
just Hogwash I guess.

[RN37DD]

i just talked to one of the shops in arcata. it all depends on what ya want to do. pull the head and the front cover or leave the head and pull the pan and front cover. he also installs the steel guides unless you want plastic. funny he said some people want plastic guides even though they cost more.

[94MtnYote [OP]]

  Yeah, thats crazy who in the hell would put those crappy guides back in for the replacement.
 I dunno maybe the metal ones are a little louder?

[RN37DD]

yeah i guess.. but hey 170k who knows thoes might be the one it had new.

[94MtnYote [OP]]

 yup yup still with the original plastic guides or whats left anyway.

[RN37DD]

yeah if i was going to run a single chain. I'd use a genuine Toyota chain.. i have an old r22 so I'm running a double row. i checked on a genuine Toyota double row and just the chain itself was $135.     needless to say I'm just running the one that came in the kit.

[Plekto]

Metal good.      Makes more noise, but shoot.. I like being able to scare small children in mine.  Ymmv of course...   

[94MtnYote [OP]]

 rn37DD, do you have an opinion on the rebuilt 22r's from General Machine in arc.?
Just thought I'd ask.....

[RN37DD]

they're good.. they build a ton of 22r engines and a lot of people run them around here. i think they have a 1 year warranty on their motors. i know a guy that runs their 268 cam in every thing he builds. a lot of people like the standard cam they use too. if ya have the time go down and see their shop, they got a bunch of Toyota stuff down there.

[RN37DD]

now having said that... remember a 22re with only 170k is just broke in. with another timing chain it well go another 100k easy. if you do the swap what are you going to do with your engine? if you decide to do the timing chain send me a pm and I'll tell you a few shops I'd have work on my rig if i couldn't do myself. might save you a dollar or two.

[94MtnYote [OP]]

now having said that... remember a 22re with only 170k is just broke in. with another timing chain it well go another 100k easy. if you do the swap what are you going to do with your engine? if you decide to do the timing chain send me a pm and I'll tell you a few shops I'd have work on my rig if i couldn't do myself. might save you a dollar or two.

It's looking like I'll have to do the work myself since I'm a little short right now.
But If not, then I would definitely like to know of a reputable shop thanks for the offer.
There's a lot of sheisty mechanics around here.

[RN37DD]

the best mech's around here are not in the yellow page's. and most techs in this area don't make minimum wage for what they do, iaw California state law.  85 percent of what your paying for is admin support/ owner/overhead. always best to do the work yourself if you can. and if ya can't always make sure you can talk to the wrench that's actually going to do the work. 

[94MtnYote [OP]]

 Yeah, my buddy graduated from a two year auto science program and ended up getting like $8.50 an hour while the shop charged $75 per hour for his work!
 Needless to say he quit, a jerk boss and a total scam.
I was hoping to hire him and get some pointers with the TC but now he works 7 days a week!

[twistedtoy92]

a timing chain replacement is a piece of cake!!!!!! Did mine in less than 5 hours and i didnt even have a damn pulley puller, that makes a big difference!! i'd slap a new chain and guides in then spend that 1000 on some other upgrade!!!! Suspension? Lockers? Gears?

[94MtnYote [OP]]

 I have a good set up of of basic tools, you mentioned the pully puller, what other special tools if any would be recommended?

[Thomas P]

if you are considering getting your motor rebuilt, you should check online for brand new 22r's they are better than rebuilt, shipped from japan, i think they go for just ove $1000, a rebuild will only last 1/2 as long as new, check ebay, they had new ones on there last time i looked

[twistedtoy92]

as long as you have a pulley puller, wrenches/sockets/rachet then you'll be just fine!! a timing light is always nice to fine tune your timing after you get it put back together!!!!! yes as far as the rebuilds, i got one from a company in chandler AZ.... it was bored .010 over and had the head done with larger stainless valves..... i got 80,000 miles out of it and the damn thing burned oil for 25,000 of those miles then it cracked the head on the number 3 cylinder and blew the head gasket on the number 2 cylinder....... needless to say i had run the living out of it!!! then i dropped the original engine back in the truck in november and it only has 145,000 on it with only 10,000 on the new chain!!! she runs like a champ...... a few words of advice, if you dont have to pull the engine and swap it, then dont!!! run it till she cant run anymore, just my two cents.....