Hey guys,

After reading another post here recently, I've realized there may have been a wrench thrown into my plans. My son's truck is an '85. The engine in it, while it runs quite well, smokes badly after it has warmed up. It is oil smoke, not running rich. So, in the course of our fixing up this truck for him, I've purchased another truck with a "good" engine. But it is an '84.

Now, I've noticed that the valve cover is different, but otherwise to my casual observations, they appear the same. Now I read that the blocks are different (oil boss?), and the timing chain assemblies are not interchangeable.

I cranked the engine when it was in the '84 and it SEEMED to be in good shape (no smoke on start-up, no rattles or knocks, etc) but I could only let it run for about 30 seconds as the donor truck had no radiator, nor fuel tank.

Now, my plan is/was to pull the head, oil pan, and timing cover, and check for a ridge in the top of the cylinder, replace the timing chain, new head gasket, and clean out the oil pan-just a light overhaul- and then seal her up and put it in the '85 truck.

My question (finally) is will the '84 engine interchange with the '85 truck? They are both carbureted and appear very similar.

I suppose I should have posted this in the newbie section as I am definitely a newbie to the Toyotas, but this seemed relavent to the '84-'85 forum.

Which direction guys?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Chuck

 

The 84 engine is a tall deck and the 85 engine is a short deck, thats why the timming chains are different, from what i know and have read you should be able to swap the 85 engine for the 84 engine, and everything should bolt in.

 

these are basically 2 different engines .. sounds wierd , both 22r#'s .. but they are .

the deck height between the 2 are different , making the head swap , near impossable .. back in the old days , I would have said impossable .. but apparently now there is a way to make it work , but it's not cheep . just stay away .

the earlier unit (as a whole) can be swapped in .. most of the electric plug ends are different and will need attention , but everything else will "bolt up "

lots of info here .. maybe try the search button .

 

84/85 engines cannot swap heads/blocks, but either one of them are a direct bolt in to any "R" series transmission. They both have the same exact motor mount locations and are a direct bolt in there as well.

 

Okay, well that answers some questions. I'll proceed with checking out the '84 engine. If it checks good we'll go that route, if not, we'll rebuild the '85 instead of the the non-original '84. I will be back for more information. Thanks fellas.

-Chuck

 

Generally, one might get a donor "laser-block" 22r (newer style) and install into an older vehicle, but personally, I wouldn't go the other direction. Even if you want to use a 'donor' engine from any vehicle, if you dont pull it down completely and check it, and replace timing set and check the head, and reassemble carefully, you're risking a lot of R&R work. And, to save more headaches, just use the longblock, use all your original accessories.

 

Well, that was actually my plan. I've taken the engine out of the '84 and stripped it down to the long block assy. I thought I'd remove the head, and the oil pan, front cover, etc.
Then clean out the pan, check for any damage on the lower engine (anything I can do without disassembling the reciprocating assy.),Check for a ridge at the top of the cylinders. Replace the timing chain assy. Replace the head gasket and all other gaskets, clean everything, etc. and then button it up.

Remove the '85 engine and bolt intake, exhaust, starter, etc. from the '85 onto the checked out '84 and install it in his truck. Reckon this would work okay? Are there any problems with that plan?

-Chuck

 

as Mike said, I wouldn't go old style block into a newer truck,. I would stay with the 85 motor (laser block) in the 85 truck. Also another thing to think about the exhaust manifold from the 85 won't match the block from the 84, the exhaust ports are different. its not as easy as using the 84 manifold either, because the collector and exhaust piping is different also, youhave to replace everything in front of the cat....ask me how I know....

I STILL have an '84 Manifold (in my '84 Runner) but with a newer style '85 Laser Block, and I have a slight exhaust leak at the manifold.

 

I gotcha. Bit of a brain-fart there. Maybe 'cause it's Monday. Don't go older style block into newer-style truck. Somehow, it just figures it would catch me this way. But, I sure appreciate the info guys. I can see myself with many headaches from trying to make this work when I'm not really familiar with the hardware anyway. Again, this site (and you guys) have come through for me.
Now, what do I do with this '84 engine?

Hate that about nothing matching up. I can still use the starter and carb for spares though, right?

Thanks again guys,

-Chuck

 

i have a 94 truck with a pre 85 motor, and is still has efi