Topic: head/cam question

[Zukied]

I have a 83 pickup And just recently i think i noticed a tick coming from the upper end, its always had one but it was only after i took it on long freeway trips. Now i thinks its there all the time. IT could be the powersteering giving up , its not a whine but when i touch the pump at idle it feels like its it. Im going to further diagnose it once the weather gets nicer and i can get a buddy to help with the throttle. BUT my real question is  if it is a upper tick i wanna go with a new/rebuilt head but whose got the best deals? I also wanna throw a little milder cam in it . the engine has 136k on it , dosent burn or leak any oil, and it still seems to run amazing. maybe its just me because im super super anal. But who has the best deal?? Thanks guys!

[crazykooter]

If your hearing A tick in the upper end then I would say look at the timing chain 1st.  83 was the 1st year of the single row timing chain and plastic guides.  Since it is a 1st gen engine I would replace it with a dual row chain.  Just ask for a 82 timing chain.  They are the exact same engine just 83 had the plastic guides and single row. 
The other thing it could be is just a sticky valve.  I would pull the valve cover and check the adjustment while engine is hot.
Just make sure they are all in spec.

[Zukied [OP]]

Yea i was going to install a dual row timing chain soon anyway so i might as well comit to it. Does anyone have the hot specs for valves? thanks!

[emsvitil]

22Rs are

hot
.008 I
.012 E

cold
.007 I
.011 E

[crazykooter]

IMO cold specs are just to get them close enough so you can get the engine hot.  Then you can recheck/adjust them to hot specs.
On 22R/E's its always better to favor looser then tighter. 

[Zukied [OP]]

amazing guys thanks , im gonna install a dual row timing chain anyway just cause, i dunno if its ever been done so better safe than sorry. Is there a tool to lock the cam in place while your pulling the gear? thanks

[crazykooter]

The cam wont turn.  Just make sure to get the hidden bolt under drive gear for the distributor.