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I have an 82 toyota 4x4 pickup with straight axle, i recently did a dumb thing and needless to say my mechanic says it needs a new head in which i have off but im having problems finding the exact fit (as im no pro but no dummy either). My mechanic told me that i have an 86 model engine but I dont know exactly what head(s) are compatible with this, or if the one i have is worth just getting fixed. My engine was running fine when I took it to mechanic but it was blowing LOTS of compression out of the PVC valve and creating big smoking mess as well as blew the head gasket in 3 spots (says the mechanic). There appears to be no wear on the lower block I just need to get a new head or get advice on whats wrong with this one and get it back on there ASAP. Pics are included! Any info will help im lost with 2 much compatibility info and not enough knowledge about my engine that is apparently different age than my truck!
Also wondering if this is compatible http://www.ebay.com/itm/121711756171?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT or if its easier to just have a pro look at this head and fix whatever is letting compression gas into valve covers.
Easiest thing I would recommend is find a local shop known for rebuilding engines and have them rebuild your heads or find a machine shop that can do it. I would not recommend getting used heads or short blocks because you do not know if the previous owner took care of their engine or not, thus you end up paying for another bad engine and paying more to replace/install the engine again.
However, not all used engines are bad, it is about a 50/50 chance that it will run well or not. I had a used engine from a 93 4runner put in my 90 4runner and it ran fine for 4 years and I had to rebuild it this past January for the head gasket blowing.
In all, its your choice and it might be cheaper to find a shop that can install/rebuild your heads.
I would find a new mechanic because he does not know crap about Toyota Engines. That is, without any doubt, a 1981-1984 22R head (Based on the round ports and intake bolt pattern). You CANNOT put that head on a 85+ block and you CANNOT put a 85+ head on a 81-84 block. Actually, let me correct myself.... you technically could, but after you get the machine shop bill from the stupid amount of modifications you would need to make you would have spent more than you would have if you just bought a complete engine.
You're likely going to need to rebuild that head. Nobody makes new castings for the 81-84 heads and very few (if any) reputable Toyota engine builders have those heads available - including Engnbldr and LCE.
Originally Posted by wyoming9
Buying an Engine Builder new head complete will be far cheaper then fixing your head.
Might even be cracked
The thing with these engines 84 was the change over year so if you go 85 and up you should be good.
If whoever told you is correct about the year.
Engnbldr does not carry 81-84 heads and it is not a 1986 head
Also, what makes you believe that it is not the original engine? Another way to narrow it down, but not definitively would be based on the timing set. If it has a 2 row chain then it is likely a 81-82. If it has a single row chain then it is a likely a 83-84
Your head is not compatible with 85 and later heads. Early heads are difficult to find. You can, however, swap the entire motor out of an 85 or later truck into yours. Intake and exhaust can be kept original to your truck. Mixing and matching parts can be a headache down the road for you or especially a future owner, but it's an option in a pinch.
84 and older is a different motor from the 85 and newer. Not many part will intechange. I dont know the older 22 motors but the dome top engines in my experience was from the Celica. I could be wrong on that though.
An old style 22 motor wont have a place for a Knock Sensor and a Fuel Filter mount. That is the quickest way for me to identify a block. Heads are either Round or Pear shape exhaust valves. I would find a mechanic that knows Toyotas. They really are not the same motor. Timing Chain covers are different.
Below is some of the things I found out about the differences in motors.
Copied...
I have heard both, yes and no, that a older style 22r can be adapted to a 22re. I am going to say no as the intakes are not interchangeable. I could take a 22r harness and replace it and make it work, but I have this motor sold and will just rebuild a motor that I have.
Here is a intake manifold that I used for my 86 Runner and something wasnt right on it and had to use another. The first stud up by the fuel pump lines up but nearly all of the rest dont as you get furhter to the back of the motor.
Old and New Style Block Differences.
I got my Timing Chain on and had to replace the Timing Cover due to it being worn. I tried to use a early model 22r and they wont interchange. Thought I would put some info up to help others identify what they may have.
84 and older. 22r has no dimples/circles and the number "2" on it. Twistedyota got it right on the height thing, see the last picture for a good example. I also tried to mark which bolt holes for removing the timing cover on down the road when I have to do a chain again. Hope it wont burn off but it if does I tried to come up with an easier way. Never can remember which bolts they are.
22re has "6k" and dimples/circles. 85 and up.
Here is what I am talking about on the 1/8th inch height. I used a lockwasher to help show how much of a difference. This cover is 22r. Seems like the oil pump bolts were to short. Hope this will save some one some trouble. It is an early model 22r timing cover on a newer 22re block.
07-28-2015, 08:50 PM
Help Me Identify My Head that needs replacing!
I spent the better part of a whole weekend searching for a head for this engine .To the good I did find a bunch of other goodies Im forgot about 
