OEM or put my trust in a "name brand" Timing Chain kits for a '85 22R? The original OEM is still running, but has stretched. Will be replacing water & oil pump too. Recommendations for kits?

 

When I did my 84 recently, I went with an AISIN kit. Came with the oil and water pump. It went on nicely and looked like a good quality. Have had no problems so far---about 3,000 miles on it. Kit ran about 200 dollars. Still had to buy an oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket, oil, filter, spark plugs, couple of radiator hoses, t-stat. All-in-all I spent about 500 dollars

 

I was thinking if I don't go with OEM, then that AISIN would be 2nd choice.....Which AISIN might even actually be OEM??

 

Not sure about the timing chain kit but... In my understanding, AISIN parts ARE OEM for many but not all parts on our 80's Toyota trucks.
For example: Your OEM carburetor, water pump, clutch master and slave cylinder, locking hubs, etc., would have originally been AISIN parts. Just like your OEM alternator is likely DENSO (Nippon Denso).
Pretty much, just start looking around at your OEM parts and very often you will see AISIN stamped on them.
If I'm wrong, I'm sorry and please feel free to correct me. I'm just going off of what I've learned from others and my own experience over the years and may be mistaken.

That said, when looking to do a timing chain, I DEFINITELY only look at kits that have metal backed guides (long standing problems with OEM plastic guides on the 22R) but would seriously consider doing an upgrade to a early 22R style dual row timing chain conversion.

Hope that helps,

Sam

 

I've not compared a lot of prices for the dual chain kits, but did notice one that had just about everything with it, including the water & oil pump for under 500$

 

I used a Clowes timing chain kit…it comes with the metal backed timing chain guide. Water pump, clutch etc was all AISIN.

 

So I ordered the "upgrade" double link chain kit from LCE, it comes with a new oil & water pump, and also a new timing cover. I wasn't planning on replacing the head gasket, but now I'm not sure if that an option, being that i will be installing a new timing chain cover. What everyone's thoughts on the head gasket??

 

When I did mine, I pulled the oil pan off so i didn't have to squeeze the cover in between the 2. However my pan gasket was looking not so good, so it was a two-fold type of thing. AND actually it wasn't that big a deal doing that as I have done the squeeze thing several times before and didn't like it that much. I think a little extra time was worth it. When it comes to you, that will be your call after considering where you stand with mileage and the extra work and how far down the rabbit hole you want to go

 

I think that would be a good idea to go ahead and drop the oil pan, would make it easier to install the timing cover and also no future worries of ''Trash" that might be in it.