I just bought my first pre-89 truck. I couldnt pass it up for $500. The individual I bought it from said he blew the headgasket and replaced it. Along with the headgasket, he installed a new top-end gasket kit. He also replaced the timing chain, guides, sprockets and tensioner.

He still couldnt get it to run and didnt want to try starting it when I came to pick it up. I still couldnt pass a factory front sas truck, with a header, mud tires and centerline wheels. Body and frame are in good shape too.

So I get it home and crank it over, and it sounds like there is no compression. I assumed that since he had done the timing chain, perhaps the cam was 180 out... No such luck... Cam dimple is at 12 o'clock and the crank dimple is at 6 o'clock. Everything looks kosher, and Ive built two or three 22r/re's before. So I do like to think I know what I am doing. I was hoping for some suggestions of things I may have stupidly overlooked, or just a common issue I havent looked for yet.

Thanks for any input!

 

Oh yeah, Im parting my '91 out because of rust. Im planning on swapping the RE into my truck if I cant figure this thing out. or if it requires some major work. Im going to have to replace the transmission eventually anyway, it pops out of 1st and third. I was hoping fixing the 22R would be easier than doing an RE swap. Although since I have a parts truck that runs great, I have all the parts I need on hand to do the swap.

 

check for fuel , lack off can seem like no compression. also maybe do a compression test may tell you something someone did or did not do.

 

Engine is receiving spark and fuel. Engine has no compression. When hitting the starter it spins free as if there are no spark plugs in the head.

 

Pulled the head, badly bent valve in cylinder 4. 2 and 3 have bad cracking between the valve seats. Cylinder 1 looks fine. Cylinder walls look great, still has hone marks in bores.

 

Well I got it running. Turned out not only was the head cracked in two cylinders and a bent valve in another, but it was warped badly. I dont know that Ive ever seen a head look that bad with a straight edge on it. Previous owner said he overheated it, I guess he made sure it was well done. He did throw a new headgasket at it, but didnt check the head thoroughly for warpage... Or maybe he didnt check.. Either way good for me!

 

.........and that is good for you because????????

 

If it werent for the not running issue it had when I got it, I wouldnt have gotten it on the cheap. It was a fairly simple fix given I had a good head and a gasket set laying around.

Even if I do swap the motor, now I can sell the engine for a little more because I know it runs.