Since using a 20r head/intake combo on the 22r series motor seems to be the best choice for performance, is it possible to use a 20r head on a "late" style 22r with good results? I know post '84 22r's were 2mm shorter in deck height. However, I've read that using a 20R head on these shorter "late" style blocks can cause a variety of problems with the cam timing, the timing chain and the compression ratio.

I guess a large amount has to be milled off the 20r head to restore compression on the later 22r's. This procedure increases the "slack" in the timing chain (bad thing) and affects the cam timing to some degree. The tall block 22r's don't have this problem as long as you used the larger 22r valves in the 20r head for best results in either case.

Wouldn't an adjustable timing chain gear and a thicker head gasket solve many of these problems?

Has anyone here ever successfully mated a 20r head to a post '84 22r with good results? What did you have to do to make it work? I'd really like to keep my original block for now if I can.

-Thanks

 

I wouldn't call mine successful. I tried this a couple of times, not knowing ahead of time but figuring out that the timing chain is the wrong size, no matter which size you try. Short one broke with no other damage, long one jumped a tooth or two before making a mess of things up front and exiting out the front of the cover. This was on an 80 truck when I knew a lot less than I know now, and even now I'm not sure if I could figure it out, or if it would be worth it. I guess there was good power but I only got a couple days use out of it. Anyone else?