kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

I've been tossing back and forth between rebuilding the existing motor in my 1983 pickup and buying a remanufactured motor. Right now, I'm leaning more towards buying a remanned motor with a new head casting. I'd hate to buy a motor because I used to really enjoy building motorcycle motors for racing but My Tundra gets crap gas mileage so my pickup has become my daily driver and I don't really want it to be down for too long while I rebuild the motor. Nor do I have the time to rebuild a motor right now.

I'm looking at putting a 1985-1995 22R in it instead of the 1981-82 or 1983-84 22R motor. I'm not going EFI because I actually prefer the Carb (simplicity) but I wanted the additional HP in the 1985-1995 22R.

My question for you all is what are your thoughts on slapping a 1985-1995 22R in there? I know the deck heights on the blocks are different and the 1985-95 motor doesn't have the domed pistons, but that's all I've really found different about the motors. Will my L52 Tranny bolt up to the 1985-95 motor? Do I need to modify the motor mounts or will it drop right in?

I'm not worried about accessories (ie- fuel pump, oil pump, water pump, alternator, etc) being compatible because I plan on ordering all new replacement accessories. But will my 83 intake manifold and exhaust headers bolt up with no problems?

I'll take any info that I can get.

As for the motor coming out, I may be selling it later this summer if anybody is interested just let me know. It has 133,000 original miles on it and runs rather well (I'm picky and I want it to be running perfect!). It burns a little oil because the valve seals are shot. Compression was in the 150's that last time I checked. I drive it everyday on the highway with 31's at about 65-70 mph with no problem. If I don't sell it, I'm going to go ahead and rebuild it for a spare (or if my wife lets me get another pickup!).

nothingbetter

So what internally in the engine is causing it to run "rather well" instead of perfect? What would the rebuild change? Are you losing compression in one cylinder? Low oil pressure? I'm trying to find your reason for spending a bunch of money you don't need to when it sounds like all your need is valve seals. Essentially, how is this new engine going to make it run better? Sounds like your block is fine. At 133xxx its just broken in!

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

The number 3 cylinder was running 11 PSI lower than the other 3 the last time I checked. So that gives me a little bit of a shakey idle. The oil pan has a slight leak, the timing chain guides are wearing thin so it's got the "chain tick" (83's have the cheap plastic guides), the front main seal has a slight leak, burns oil via the valve seals and the PO had a warped header that he tried to tighten flat by torquing down on the studs so my new header doesn't stay put (can easily be Heli Coiled). Nothing in itself is major, but I have so many little issues that it wouldn't wouldn't be much more work to swamp it or rebuild it. Also, I used to race motorcycles so I'm the kind of guy that wants everything running at its best-it's just my personality. I know my motor could easy roll another 50,000 miles before it would 'need' a rebuild. Also keep in mind that I'm going to do full restoration on this truck too so I'm not just dropping a motor in a truck that I'm going to beat the crap out of wheeling every weekend.

suncomb1

The 1985-1995 motor will bolt in and mate to your L52 trans just fine. I do not think your intake will bolt up though but I am not sure. I run a 1995 block in mine. I do not think your going to gain that much power with the change.

nothingbetter

Thanks for the clarification kawa.

If he can get it tuned to have the same efficency as the efi does, he'll get a %10 increase in hp. Probally more seeing as his sounds a bit tired. With other engines you have to spend looooots of money and time to get an extra %10.

kawazx636

iTrader: (3)

Suncomb, shouldn't you be at the beach right now!? haha What head are you running on that 95 block? From what I have learned from some short investigation, the 22R heads seem to be all the same so I would assume the the intake manifold would bolt up on the 1985-95 head, but I haven't confirmed.

technojunkie

The only thing you'll need to be concerned about is the exhaust. everything else will match up fine. I know because I did the reverse, I have a 84 22re in my 93 pickup. Just swap all of your original accessories (motor mounts, intake manifold, distributor etc...) and you'll need to plan for the different exhaust port shapes (round vs. pear). If you already have an aftermarket header you may be fine but that's the only adjustment you'll need to make.

JonnyBoy

Could've sworn it was the other way around. The exhaust ports are either round or pear shaped, but the header bolt pattern is the same, the intake went from round ports to square and another bolt or 2 sometime in '84.

technojunkie

I did forget the fact that the bolt pattern for the exhaust did change. pre '85 had a single stud centered between the #2 and #3 cylinder. After '85 there were 2 studs spaced closer to the exhaust ports. I had to drill my manifold to fit, but most aftermarket headers already account for this.

It is possible that before '84 the intake bolt pattern was different; but that would mean that there were 3 different castings for the 22re head, and I'm only aware of 2.