ive got a 22re in a 91 pickup 4wd.

I replaced the all the timing components and head gasket, so i had everything out of the engine bay except for the block. Thought I had everything put together just fine, but when I cranked the engine it just backfired. Tried to readjust the distributor and got a loud ping.

Are my valves getting the hell smashed out of them?

I took off the valve cover and checked out the cam sprocket position in relation to the crank at TDC and it was way off. Also, when I turn the crank by hand theres a lot of resistance (even when the transmission isn't in gear).

Should I rip it back apart and re-install my timing components? Anyone know if you can manage that without taking the intake and exhaust off and completely removing the head?

thanks

 

with the backfiring, I'd be more inclined to say your distributor is off a tooth or two, or you have some plug wires mixed up.

ANd rememebr there is 2 TDC's on a cyl. The one your worried about is TDC on # 1 Compression stroke. Which means when @ TDC both your #1 rocker arms should be loose.

 

yea you can do it there are write ups on here how to do it with out removing the head...Just take your time and double and triple check the timing marks and even spin the crank over twice to make sure the marks line up if you only did it once the marks will be off

 

Double, triple check TDC. I've put the distrib. in on the wrong tdc a few times and had the same symptoms as you are getting. If you lined up your cam sprocket and crank sprocket marks they are not going to change position on you.