ccannon222

I am preparing to rebuild an engine for my 85 4runner. It is a street driven vehicle that I also take to the mtns when I go camping/hiking. I have a built 85 PU for hardcore offroading.
My goal is to build an engine that is very reliable, will last well over 200K, get good gas mileage. I would like a little more power than stock, but I am not too worried about pumping up the HP.

I am trying to decide which block to use, I have both tall and short deck 22r blocks. I like the longer piston skirts on the tall block 22r and the ability to use a factory dual timing chain setup. However, I am concerned about the heads. I know the new heads that came on the short deck 22re are more efficient for EFI, however, how much so I do not know.
Mainly what that I debating about is the trade-off of power and toughness/longevity. Tall deck block with 83-84 Celica 22re heads or short deck block and 85-95 PU 22re head design.
If I go with the Celica head I will get one of my existing heads rebuilt.
If I go with the newer block/head combo I will probably buy a new head from Engbildr or LCE.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ccannon222

dcg9381

I don't think that the newer heads are more efficient. Port injected EFI is more efficient than a carb.

As noted, you can use a short block with the right head - typically late 22R or Celica, as long as the head has mounting bosses.

Dual timing chain is better, but you can get a dual chain to work with either block. I'd say that the timing chain is not as critical as good head studs (not OEM bolts) and a solid MLS head gasket.

I like Ted's (engnbldr) stuff over LCE for price reasons... They're often working from the same core suppliers.

ccannon222

The timing chain isn’t the big of deal for me either. Single row with metal backed guides and 100k changes keep that from being a problem. It’s the longer piston skirts and overall longevity of the early 22r block that I like.
I know the early 22re (celica) has large combustion chamber head with dome style pistons (same as the carbed 22r) where the late model 22re has a small combustion chamber head with a flattop/dish style piston. Intakes were the same and exhaust manifold very similar. I was under the impression that they made the head/piston change because it works better with EFI than the older design. When other manufactures made the switch to EFI from carb they made similar changes to the combustion chamber also. I’m sure the difference isn’t much. The older design with analogue EFI made 105 HP where the newer design with a full EFI system made 115. However I believe the bulk of that difference was in the EFI system, ie computer controlled timing advance, etc….
I am planning on using the 89-95 TB and upper intake system with either. I am also planning on using the 85 EFI system also.

Chris