So im a first time yota owner and I have a 1987 4runner.
My question is how do I know if its time to rebuild the motor? Truck has 265,000 on it, motor history is unknown. Motor doesn't leak a drop of oil, It seems under powered but I'm not sure what a good 22re is supposed to feel like. My other truck is a v8 titan. I guess I could take my chances and take it to a shop to have them check it out. Or will a simple compression check tell me all I need to know?

 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pts/1613097303.html

These guys will do install and rebuild for about $1800

 

well 22re's are just slow lol they dont go at all, but they are beast engines and it will always get you home haha. if you have stock gears and anything bigger than 31" tires it will be extra slow too. maybe do a car fax or something? find out ho many miles that engine has because the timing chains can eat through the timing cover and water pump because the plastic guides break lol so get on that. or pop your valve cover and take a peek at the timing chains and guides

 

Your V8 titan was built for consumer demand....

Your 4Runner was built for survival in the most inhospitable reigns known to man... Ok, maybe not so-much... But it would be if it was Diesel... Gas is just US market...

"Toyota built'em right when they gave you what you need, not what you want" Unknown.

Anyway... Check your cylinder pressure... And most times the 1st signs of oil consumption on a 22Re is valve guides... i.e head 1st... But then that'll put more pressure on the bottom-end... i.e nothing lasts forever...

Just think... A proper rebuild and your not-made-for-consumers truck will go another 265,000 miles...


Not bad for a few thousand... or a few cases of beer, some friends and week if you do it DIY...

 

Oil consumpion is not noticeable, Ill check out the compression, check timing chain. And go from there.

 

compression is a good start. if i remember off the top of my head it should be around 115psi but i could be wrong been about 3 months sense i looked up the specs to test on.

 

oooh... The timing chain... Where to start...

You can inspect it by removing the Valve Cover and looking down the TC cover and possibly moving the guides to see if they're cracked by a pry bar or something to that effect...

The guides are PLASTIC and I do NOT recommend they go back in... In case you feel like replacing them.

Aftermarket STEEL guides ARE modified 20R guides, and this is proven! (by me)

If you're semi knowledgeable you can modify them yourself and save the trouble of paying more for them, and waiting for them to be shipped to you b/c more than likely a store will have 20R guides in stock.

OK, going to do timing chain. Easiest way to lower front dif? (IH8Mud.com)

 

oh, one more thing... The best chain you can get to put back on it, is a Toyota chain... 2nd is Engnbldr...

 

You can also do a conversion to an early 22R (80-84) double roller chain and steel guides, a forum search here will probably net you hundreds of results on the subject. The TC and guides are definitely the weakest link in this otherwise strong drivetrain...

I will second the compression check. Also, should you decide to do a rebuild, I would recommend finding another 22R motor kicking around, rebuilding that one exactly the way you like, and then doing a motor swap. This way, you can continue to operate the vehicle until you are ready to make the swap. If you like, you can even sell your old motor when you are done.