Ok guys, I recently got a 91 pickup extended cab 22re, 5sp, 4x4. It has a sticking valve and I'm just going to replace the head. Can I leave the timing chain on? What is the quickest way to pull the head off? What necessary things do I need to pull to do this?

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

No, the timming chain has to come off to replace the head, and if the timming chain has alot of miles on it and sense you will have it a part anyways you should just replace it also. To remove the head you need to remove the exhaust manifold, the intake manifold the power steering pump and mounting brackets and a few other minor things.

 

Can't the top of the chain be wire-tied to the cam gear, and the head slipped off over that?

 

I was thinking the same thing. The timing chain and guides are still good. just the head is what I need to swap!?!?!

 

I've seen tech photos of such a procedure. However, I don't mean to suggest that you shouldn't do your chain. If the history of the chain is unknown, you should just do it while you have everything apart, and update the plastic guides to the metal backed ones. Could save you some headaches later.