I just picked up a pristine 89 4runner (22re) with a bad motor the guy says. I haven't had time to tear into yet, but from what he told me I think the timing chain went on it. The motor only has 116,000 on it. I looked at the block the other day and the cylinder walls are perfect. So I think I can just keep the block the way it is and buy a complete gasket set and timing chain kit.

I'd like to just rebuild the top end of it. The only problem is the guy already tore the head all apart and didn't keep the rocker assembly in order. What do you guys think my best option would be to rebuild the top end? Buy a complete cylinder head? If so, where from? I've looked all day on google and they seem to range from $225 up to $800 for rebuild cylinder heads. I saw some on ebay for a decent price. I just didn't know if anyone had bad dealings with these cheaper alternatives. I know I should probably buy one from engnbldr.com but I just can't afford it right now.

Believe me I'd love to just go out and drop $3k on a kick butt DOA motor but I am on a tight budget.

Thanks for any input.

 

You only pay for quality once.

vmax84

 

doa sucks ..... get your stuff from www.engnbldr.com

 

Well, just steer clear of the 84 head. You need a head from a 1985 up to a 1995. Its the most common, so your in luck. Its hard to find just a head. If its good, they usually will sell it attatched to the good block too. So if you get a used head, look for galled middle cam journal. Usually, if the head is off of an engine, it was ran out of oil or overheated.

 

If the truck is pristine as you say I think vmax84 put it pretty well. I'd save my pennies and go to engnbldr for what you need. It will probably save you money in the long run.

 

engbldr street rv head i just dropped one in with his timing chain set, its working great

 

why are the 84 heads bad? if you have a 84 (carb) can you use newer heads say 86-88 or whatever

 

Well, I'll continue to research this and let everyone know what I come up with. I am picking it up on Saturday.

 

84 is a weird year. The head overall heigth is taller, and th ecombustion chamber size is different also. In fact, the head, if out on a later 22RE will make the timing chain way too tight. The 84 has a special chain just because of this. I measured the head surface to the valve cover surface and its been a while, but I remember 3 and 3/8" vs 3 5/8" inches. I know the 85 and later head is identical, even if it was a carb or EFI. And an 84 head will do something to the compression ratio, dont remeber if it will be too high or too low, but it will be way off.

 

its not just the 84 heads its all pre 84 heads as well all older blocks 84 and bellow came with pop up pistons and if i remember right the blocks where also taller, so the heads were dome unlike the 85-95 heads had a quench chamber

here are some pics

pre 84



85-95

 

so if you had a 84 and went with the 85+ head you would just need the 85+ timeing chain?

are the headgaskets the same? the valve sizes the same?

what kind of bump in compression would be expected?

 

The deck hieght on the block is different as well. You need to stick with the 85-96 unless you are willing to do a lot of machining. It is called a laser block. The only thing that is the same out of the pre-85 are the crank and rods. Every thing else is different.

 

You can buy aftermarket rocker arms, if you're worried about wear pattern.
Or a decent machine shop can polish the pads of the arms you've got and not impact ratio very much at all.

There are only 2 pieces of the rocker assembly that are easily misidentified. If you get them in the wrong spot, you'll starve your exhaust side for oil.. Ping me if you decide to reassemble, I can tell you how to ID them.

 

i just went to my local autozone to compare the headgaskets and they are the same P/N
so if the deck was different but crank rod and pistons are the same that will just change the compression ratio as long as the valve reliefs are the same right?

also what about the timing would that change?

 

Cool, thanks! :bigclap:

 

The pre 85 heads have a different quench chamber to accomodate the dome top pistons as already mentioned. Everything else on the surface is the same. That probably why the heddgasket is the same. Do yourself a favor and just get the right head for your motor.

 

Dittos. Saves you a ton of grief later on down the road.