Guys (and gals), some quick advice please before I rip a motor a part that I maybe shouldn't be touching myself.

My 22RE has about 140k miles and is starting to leak externally around the head gasket. Sounds like a great opportunity to add some power while I'm fixing the head gasket. I have never done a motor before but I seem to be able to fix everything else I've tried. Is this a whole nother can of worms or should I go ahead and rip it apart with plans of upgrading the head (engnbldr?), camshaft, and doin piston rings seals etc. while I'm in there. Is there enough that I'm going to need professionally done anyway (machining block deck, and cylinder walls) that I may as well have it all done? Input regarding what parts are worth upgrading to (I already have forced air intake, headers and free flowing exhaust), what I need to concider before starting, and pointers to other good info sources will be appreciated.

Thks, Nick.

 

From experience, before you touch anything: take lots of pictures, label everything, and get a good manual for guidance.

Keep us posted.

Krusty

 

not sure what year you have but the engine section here will cover most of what you need to know. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/

I would also research engine rebuilding so you'll have a little knowledge going in and possibly avoid some newbie mistakes. This will save you some time and more inportantly, the money it will cost to fix these mistakes. Take your time and don't take shortcuts.

 

I would invest in a couple of good bright colored (like yellow)paint pens for marking hoses/etc., a good manual like hosh provided, a torque wrench, and a box of ziploc baggies with labels to store nuts and bolts in as you remove them . I tore my 22re down when I was younger to replace the block with pretty good results--Good luck to you.