blackspyder

I just bought a '88 4X4 5 Speed pickup the other week and some things are confusing me about it (My back ground is in Chevys and Class 8 trucks so foreign vehicles are new to me). The tranny needs replacing (input and mainshaft bearings going out) and it has a few other issues (but for $500 its not bad)

1) What transmission is in it? Or how can I find out? The books (haynes, chilton, ect) list up to six transmissions that'll fit.
2) What 5 Speed has the lowest first gear ratio?
3) How big is the Gas Tank? the fuel gauge works only for the first 100 miles on a tank (I'll replace the sending unit when I get around to installing the body lift)
4) Why is it that since my timing cover is leaking (or so it appears) that oil is comming out from under the hood (Through the grill and back over the hood), or is there another cause? (Timing cover gaskets and seals will be replaced this weekend)

Thanks for the help

904_runner

Id take the vin off here, ive heard people say it so ill pass it along

904_runner

i believe the tanks are around 17 gallons.

toyminator2000

I am going to assume it is a 4cyl truck since it is the model prone to oil leakage from the timing cover. The transmission is probably the w56 which is one of Toyota's stronger transmissons. I'm not sure of the 1st gear ratio but All Toyota 5spds are close to the same ratio. The strongest and most desirable model is the R151 which only came on Turbo trucks. Go to Marlin Crawlers website. They have lots of good info on Toyota transmissions

http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/transmission/3a.htm

Gas tank is about 17 gallons I think.

If your gonna remove the T-chain cover to replace gaskets you might want to at least replace the guides and probably the chain to. Don't forget about that pesky little bolt that bolts the head to the top of the timing chain cover. It's usually covered in oil and you can see it.

abecedarian

the oil leak could be a leaking front main crank seal, but since you're saying it is spraying up over the hood, could be spray from the power steering fluid cooler or maybe even a leak from the a/c condensor (if you have a/c)

when my low fuel light comes on, i can pump approximately 16 gallons in so that leads me to believe about 17. (chilton's says 17.2 for 88 4wd)

Swansen

for the oil leak problem, my guess would be with the oil pump, which, depending on how many miles are on the truck, wouldn't be a bad idea to replace while you are going through the timing cover/chain process. On that, its about a 12 hour job, you have to take apart most of the engine to get at the timing components. I have an 88 and i can put around 12 gallons in my tank.

blackspyder

Thanks for the Heads Up 904_runner. hopefully the timing cover set will cure it. I know the timing chain/belt is new. I had a good look at it when I did the valve cover and it was practically new, I also found the ticket for the part in the glove box, and it looks like it was done in the last 2 years (the truck sat for approx 18 months in my bosses drive way).

If its the oil pump..... I may shove an SBC in it, or attempt to find another 22RE. (engines are few and far between since there is only one "good" budget machine shop within 30 miles of here now)

annoyingrob

It's more likely the front main seal, rather than the oil pump. Over time, the FMS on the 22R tends to wear a small groove in the crank, preventing it from properly sealing. Then, oil starts leaking out, hits the crank pulley, and is flung all over the engine bay.

Quick fix for those with a worn out front main seal, the early 22Rs, and later 22Rs sit in slightly different spots on the crank. If your later 22R has a groove worn into the crank, install an early 22R (pre 84) front main seal. It will sit on a different spot on the crank, and properly seal. I has this issue on my 83 Celica, so I installed a later model front main seal, and surprise surprise, it worked.

abecedarian

I don't see how a leaking front main is going to 'squirt' oil forward, around the balancer/pulleys, through the radiator (considering the fan is blowing rearward), out the grill and up over the hood.
I could see the whole engine bay getting sprayed with oil caused by the balancer / pulleys slinging it around and the fan blowing it back, but over the front of the truck?

blackspyder

A friend of my Dad's came down Saturday night while I was in the mist of doing the front timing cover and he said that when the front crank seal went out on his 90 model it did the same thing. dont know what it was but the kit had all 4 gaskets and they all got replaced and it doesn't leak now.

Next stupid question is it ok to run the truck with the rock guard off? My 98 S10 would overheat if the rock guard was off. was just wondering Cause I've got some aluminum tread plate I was going to add on top of the steel but it'll be next weekend before I can get to it

Swansen

I'm guessing by rock guard you mean the front valance?? but yeah, most people take it off as soon as they get the truck.

904_runner

Or are you talking skid plate?

Either is fine to have off. Personally, the stock skid plates are crap, but id still use one if i could make it fit on my truck

blackspyder

skid plate started to do it but then I had the other issue and I haven't bothered with it since I'm gonna SAS it this winter and hopefully have it ready for next spring.