Which way do i go ? Long block or start with short block and build up? Do some light pulling and off-roading. It also has an auto. tranny , should i swap it out? how difficult? Any input and ideas would help and were to source parts from and buil-up ideas!!! Thanks

 

Any ideas on the build-up? Anyone!!!!

 

get a junk yard motor for 65 bucks and start building

 

Pull motor and take to a machine shop. If its a bearing, crank can be turned. If cylinder wall are fair to good, shop can knurl pistons and install iron rings from Hastings. The block is high nickel content and incredibly tough. If block is bad, bore it out. Buying a used motor may be not much better. and may come with surprises (cracks).

 

If you're mechanically inclined, you can get your block/head/crank machined and get everything else you need from our good friend Ted at www.Engnbldr.com

He can set you up with everything you need: pistons, rods(although see if you could salvage your stockers), crank(again, see if salvagable first), rings gaskets timing junk...everything. And advice from him is free, good and fast.

If you have everything out anyways, and feel like ditching the auto tranny, it's not a tough job to do.

 

What would make this motor not rebuildable It was ran with almost no oil!!! I did find a used(250k) 22re for $150.00. What do ya think?

 

hell, $150 is less than the core charge on most engines. Grab it, send it off to a machine shop and build it from the bottem up. Do it right and it'll last yoiu another 200K for say $1200(that's with some extra umph toys)

 

If it were me and i had the money LONG BLOCK.. I'm not like alot here i do not enjoy working on stuff. I can but would much rather someone else do it , if i got the money.. If money is a issue then rebulding it is prolly the way to go.. I use to enjoy working on motors but as ive gotten older it lost its appeal to me and my hands are not sore all the time anymore...

 

So, i was thinking of getting a short block and build it up with some pieces from LCEng. Were is the best place for a short block and is the lc stuff worth the money? Noticable power?

 

Unless you're going for some pretty serious power, the stuff sold at www.engnbldr.com will serve you quite well and it much easier on your wallet.

Most of the power in the 22RE is in the head. Work the head first. If you're spending money on the bottom end and you don't expect to have over 175hp or so (which is beyond the limit of your EFI) then you're not getting the most bang for your buck. 22RE bottom ends are very solid.

 

The used motor was from a 5spd. mine is auto, any problems there?

 

The motor itself isn't any different. Just the wiring harness, but if you're resuing the stock harness, you're good.

 

Any of you N.C. members can recommend a good machine shop in N.C.