hey brian! i know its been awhile since i chimed in on this thread and its looking great! havent gotten mine yet been debateing SAS for the past month, also, how do you like your bj spacers? debateing some for mine!

 

If you're gonna SAS, make sure you have all the parts and money because once you make the first cut there's no going back!

About the BJ spacers, I LOVE em! They are simple, easy to install and basically fool-proof! lol I'd recommend them to anyone wanting a small lift.

 

Had Ol' Yeller parked at my moms house for a few days and when I went to pick her up today I noticed a decent sized puddle of coolant under her...

I checked the radiator and found it to be low. I always keep a gallon or 2 in the back so I filled it up and crawled underneath.

I couldn't see it leaking from anywhere, but it seemed to be wet around the water pump. I'm thinking either a bad water pump or bad radiator (since it is the original radiator). Either way I do have a radiator and water pump "in stock", so I won't have to run out and buy anything.

I think i'm going to do the timing chain if I do the water pump and water pump gasket.

There goes my SAS plans for a bit, but i'd rather build up my engine and make it strong before messing with the suspension.

-Brian

 

Swimmer, POR15 is great stuff, but it is only good on rusted or unpainted seasoned metal. If you put over any paint, no matter how you prep the sub straight it will peal off. Also if you are going to paint over the POR, DO it while it is still tacky, other wise the paint will not stick. Your runner I looking great.

 

since you have the taco, i advise to pull the engine out. after doing my repair, it would have been easier to invest a bit more in an engine stand and hoist.

i mean, it's do-able in the truck, but i think it would be much easier. just my $0.02

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info! All the metal i'll be painting is rusty lol so I won't have to worry about that, but I didn't know to paint it while it's still tacky, that's good to know.

Yeah I was debating on that, I think you're right, that would be A LOT easier. I'll have to get an engine hoist and stand though.

 

also, it'll be easier to find space to work on it. you won't need to take up the entire garage space with the truck. and you can inspect/replace the clutch

 

^^^IDK, i wouldn't pull the engine for a timing chain replacement(water pump, oil pump...). That would be alot of work, disconnecting the exuast(nasty rusty breakage prone nuts at the collector) all the wires and vac hoses...label, label, label.
I understand why Ian suggested pulling it due to his own experience. Now if you are going to do more then the timing chain and h2o pump, it may be worth it to you, but keep in mind that you may find more things to fix and replace while you are in there, which isn't bad, just time consuming and could get $$.
If i were going to pull the engine i would just plan on giving the 22re lump a good freshen up while i had it out. All gaskets, check compression, check mains...you get the idea. With as many miles as you have on ole yellar, this may be a way to ensure more trouble free miles.
Heck, if you pull the engine..port and polish the head, then port-match the intake and exhaust. New cam. And while you have it out, start the SAS. With the mill out of the way cleaning and welding the frame is going to be easier with all that extra room. Also, paint your block some bright color so you can keep an eye on leaks and such.

this is just my .02$

 

hmm, good points. don't forget, you'd have to pull vac lines and label stuff either leaving the engine in or taking it out.

also, i put a big-ol' dent in my valance from hoisting the engine/head. and a few minor dings in the hood and radiator support.

either way you do it, brian, there will be a bunch of help available to you.

 

Great posting as usual guys, I think what i'm going to do is keep running the truck and start gathering parts and get her ready for a rebuild in the spring. I have to be honest, i'm terrified to rebuild the engine, it's a very daunting task... I've never done anything that involved before and i'm a bit nervous...

 

don't worry. we all had to start somewhere. almost every 22r/e rebuild thread on here is a first-timer's experience, and all the advice comes from those who know what to do (and what not to do).

heck, if you're going to wait 'til spring, i might be able to help you out for a weekend

 

Dont even sweat it brudda, ur gonna see once ur in there And tearing it down...ull be really glad u did and u WILL laugh at yourself over how stressed u were over it. If icud fully rebuild 1....well, u know the cliche, hahaha

KILL IT, YELLER FELLER! Lol

 

Yeah that's true, and at least i'll be able to use my moms garage to do the rebuild. I'm going to wait until spring for sure, that will give me time to gather all the parts and tools needed.

That's what i'm really hoping for Mark! Plus I know I'll have you guys to help me out if I run into a snag!

 

until then, make sure your iming guides are still in one piece, remember these are interference engines. Timing chain breaks = bent valves = empty wallet.

 

You make a very good point, I am afraid to look...

 

just pull the top 4 acorn nuts, those "top-hat" grommet things, and anything attached to the valve cover. then take a long flat screwdriver and poke it around in the timing chain. if it's loose, then you have a problem. if it's tight, you're good to go. it took me less than an hour to do all that and get it back together





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Oo2wDz6Z0U



i think i was driving it like this for ~15k-20k before i checked

 

Oh man, i bet mine is 10000X worse than yours...

 

Awesome pics and vid by the way!

 

I bet it still sounds like you thru a handful of spoons in with the timing chain.

 

honestly, they all look pretty much the same on the inside
thanks. they're from my re-build thread (lots of pics on there, btw)
yup. but only at certain rpms (not mine... brian's, that is)

brian- take the valve cover off this weekend and take a look. you can even do it at your apartment parking lot (i did mine twice in the driveway, once in the street).