So I am driving home from work. I am not paying any attention to my gauges, like a moron. Anyway the tube that runs to the oil pressure gauge comes loose and I run my truck for about TOO LONG with no oil.

I got the leak plugged up filler her up with oil and she fired right up. I was thinking YEAH ITS A YOTA!!!

Runs fine up until about probably 2K RPMS then it starts hammering like John Henry versus the steam engine.

As near as I can figure the bearings are toast. Limped her home and will tear into it on thursday.

This will be my first rebuild so I want some tips on things to watch for on these engines. Also any advice on where the best and most economical place to buy my rebuild kit is.

I know you guys will come through. I am kind of looking forward to this. I have helped rebuild engines on several occasions but never done one on my own. I will have some good advice from a knowledgeable friend but he has never done a 22re.

It could have come at a better time financially but oh well so is the breaks.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

engnbldr.com for rebuild kit , new or turn your crank , check the cylinders for correct pistons any head work you were debating now is the time i.e. cam oversize valves

 

Definitely bring the head & block to a machine shop. You can have them size the correct pistons, then put it all back together yourself. Engnbldr.com is also who I'd go with. The best thing for these engines is to do a good job, and use quality parts, and they will do what they were meant to do. Engnbldr will give you more info than you can read if you ask specific questions about your rebuild. They're really good about responding to emails.

 

Talked to my mechanic friend today. Described what happened and what it was doing. He said it sounds to him like Rod and main bearings. He says if i got lucky and did not do any damage to the cylinders or pistons i might get by with bearings, new rings, gaskets and such.

Will definitely be sending the block and head to a local machine shop that come highly recommended by people i trust.

Oregon engine builders seems like a good source. I will start dissasembling on thursday. Get the block and head over ASAP and see what they say.

I have rebuilt a 396 chevy but it has been a lot of years. I have some good friends who know their stuff that are willing to help so i am confident i can get it back to where it needs to be.

 

its been a while but i got my rebuild kit from engnbldr adn it was good stuff. only thing i can think of is dont forget the bolt under the distributor drive gear(in the puddle of oil), i cracked my timing cover bout 20yrs ago and now that allways pops in my head everyting i take a 20/22r head off. good luck and take pics

 

this place http://www.22re.com/ has good quality Japanese oem parts, for a good price.

 

Great information everyone thanks.

Gonna start tearing her down tomorrow weather permitting.

 

Be sure that when you're tearing it down that you find the infamous "hidden bolt" on the timing cover. It is a 12 mm bolt. When you have the valve cover off, directly in front of the distributor drive gear will be a small pool of oil. That's were the bolt is (given the name "hidden"). When I first got my truck, I put a new timing chain in it. Whoever had done the previous one had broken the cover and had it TIG welded back together. It looked like crap, so I replaced it. This will save you maybe around $100 or more, depending on what it looks on the inside of it too.