Got an '85 4x4 pu out of N. C. in 2004. (deceased friend's estate) Put 74,000 on it with vitually no trouble. Burned a little oil but passed emissions and consistantly 24 mpg. My beater daily driver, love that thing.. Then two weeks ago at 220,000 she apparently lost the timing chain. I want it too breath a bit better with head work and maybe a mild cam, and a header. Need a tad more torque, I'm in the Rockies with hills higher than the Smokies are high.. Chug Chug Cough Cough. Are there any Utah postees who know of a good local machine shop(s) where I could have the head ported and oversize valves.. or is it standard practice to just buy an Engnbldr head? Want the crank ground if req'd and possibly slightly bored. That's about it. I AM doing searching on this site trying to get some ideas. hopefully the motor will come out tomorrow.

 

You can buy a new ported head from engine builder probably cheaper than having the old head done, it might be worth looking into.

 

Ok, Thanks. I'll look into that option with Engine Builder.
A tad more on the above problem. Got the engine out and torn down today. Timing chain was NOT broken but plastic guide was in pieces, and valves had been hitting pistons as it failed. Apparently chain jumped a few teeth. Engine looks good and clean otherwise, all piston tops and plugs look normal and surprising to me at least, no ridges on cylinders.. So onward to a rebuild.

 

Hey there brother Levi, I am down in Ogden and have an 85 too. Recently did a TC/Head Gasket on it, and went with an EB head. For machine work, I usually use Felt Auto.

 

x3 for engnbldr. I just had to replace the head on my 84 22r. I would have bought a complete head, from Ted at engnbldr.com, but they don't have the early 22r style head. However, I did buy whatever else I could from him to get the job done.

Do alot of research on the cam that you put in and intake or valves. If you don't know, ask Ted, he will and he will have the right parts.

I just got my truck back from the shop a few days ago and its running great, but if it would have been much cheaper to have just bought the head from Ted.