Got a 1988 4x4 truck. Original 22RE has a "laser" block. Replacement block has three holes in the "bowtie" casting. Two threaded bolt holes on either side of a larger, unthreaded hole straight through to the crankcase.
What was this for?! Original is just a blank in the casting. Thanks

 

sounds like a 22rte block. the threaded holes hold the flange for the turbo oil return line and the unthreaded hole is how the oil gets back into the crank.

 

Thank You! Do you think I could tap and plug the return hole or is there a block off kit for this? I really don't need a turbo.

 

You could make a block-off plate and seal it good to the block.
You will have another issue though if the new block has the crank and pistons installed: the turbo engine has a lower compression ratio than the stock 22re so you'll be down on power.

 

I got the engine as a long block. Whats different? Deck height? I'm pretty sure this engine was built as a non-turbo engine.

 

Are these blocks rare?

 

Set up as a turbo, yeah, kind of rare. But no significant differences between the turbo and n/a blocks. Deck heights are the same... on and on. The pistons set the compression ratio.
A good machine shop can take a regular R/RE block and machine it for the turbo return and stuff, and with correct internals, make it run a turbo with no issues.

If it was recently rebuilt, you need to find out information about it- like whether it was rebuilt for turbo or non-turbo use.