Eskay

Hi all, quick question. Are there actually any variations of the upper intake manifold for the 22RE or am I just finding a site error? I tried looking for a thread about this but all I got was port/polish results. I was replacing my cold start injector gasket after doing a smoke test and finding a big 'ol vacuum leak there. Come to find out, the leak was from one of the bolt holes for the injector being stripped out and not being able to torque the injector down. I started browsing the interwebs to see about what a used upper goes for when I saw LC Engineering having what they claimed was a new OE casting for 100 bucks. Doesn't seem too bad a price considering it's less of a gamble than a used one from eBay for a similar price. Problem is, they claim it fits years 1983-1988. My truck being a 1990, I did a little digging and found a separate page, that apparently isn't public, that showed years 1989-1995 in the title. Anyone know of any differences between the 2nd gen and 3rd gen manifolds? I don't feel like I've ever heard of any but, I just wanna try to clear it up for sure before I start trolling the local wrecking yards for a good used one. Any input is greatly appreciated. Cheers!

Melrose 4r

I’m pretty sure there is a difference and i think it has to do with the way the idle air control valve mounts to the plenum. The later model IAC is simpler.

I too have slightly stripped mounting screws on my cold start injector. The torque spec is very low. You are probably better off just drilling and retapping with a pair of slightly larger screws.

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

The front section the throttle body attaches to is slanted on the older ones.

The aav/iacv is part of the throttle body on later versions versus a separate unit on ealy ones. This isn't an issue.

Jimkola

My upper intake had a stripped hole at the back where the EGR pipe mounted. I got a metric helicoil set off Amazon for $30.00 and it fixed it nicely.

Eskay

I totally forgot the IAC was changed between generations. Funny, considering how much I've read about them when looking for what might cause rough idles and hard-start conditions. I've never had to retap threads before so, I plan on seeing what a mechanic friend says about it next week. I'm just kind of bracing myself for the worst case scenario. Honestly I should probably just change the title of this truck's "build" thread to "Worst Case Scenario".

I've never noticed this canted TB mounting surface on second gen trucks trucks before. Now that I've gone and found a parts diagram for the older style air valve that shows it, I'm kind of amazed it's never caught my attention.


Thanks for the tip! I'm neighbors with an exhaust shop with a pretty good toolbox that lets me borrow tools for quick little projects so, I'll definitely look into a set if they don't have any.


Thanks for the replies everyone! It's been educational for me and I know what I'm looking for to fix mine or if I have to find a new one, now.

arlindsay1992

iTrader: (8)

Yes, there area a few differences. You got the two big ones, the different IAC, and the sloped versus straight throttle body connection. A few nipples are also in different spots.

I would recommend to helicoil the hole back to M6x1.0. This is the correct repair and puts it back to as good as new. Stepping up the thread size is a method of last resort and one I would avoid unless you had no other option.

redman13

Not to highjack this thread, but can you put the newer throttle body (fitment wise) off the straight plenum onto the older slanted plenum and have everything work as it should ?? Thanks, John

Jimkola

Tapping out the hole to a larger size typically means going to SAE. I hate that. But I also don't like it when I find a 13mm bolt head that the previous owner installed.
Redman. Not sure if I read your post correctly, but you can put the newer throttle body on a older 22RE if you change out the upper intake. There’s a few other parts needed, but it allows you to use the improved IAC. I pondered it, but my old style IAC works, so not high priority.

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

Have to compare my gaskets, I was pretty sure the throttle body was the same foot print.

redman13

Thanks for the replies. I'm building a mini (93 2wd extra cab on air bags, notched frame in the back, Z'ed frame in the front, 2 1/2" body drop, could only lower the engine 3/4",any lower and the tie rod would hit the oil pan).I have maybe 1/4" clearance from top of throttle body to the hood. An older style slanted plenum would really help that small clearance.

maco35

Throttle bodies are NOT interchangeable.