My timing chain is starting to get pretty rattly, so at 190k miles I think it's time I took the plunge and changed it.

My question is about the head. My 22RE has decent compression, burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so, and when I look at the plugs, each one is oil fouled on one side but not on the other. Conclusion: Oil is leaking past my valve seals/guides.

Since doing the timing chain entails removing the head, I figure now would be a good time to freshen up my head.

From the FSM, it looks like something I can mostly do at home. As long as it's still flat, free from cracks, and the valves seat correctly, it looks like there shouldn't be any machine work at all. Just disassemble, clean, make sure parts are within spec, replace worn parts as needed, machine as needed (hopefully not needed), and reassemble.

Is this right? Is this something I can do mostly at home? I have a spare junker motor (later 22RE, like the one in my truck) that I bought from a guy who said it had a rod knock. I can use the head from that so I have something to drive while I'm doing this.

 

If you can pull and reinstall the head, you should also be able to replace the guide seals with no drama. Just make sure you have a decent valve spring compressor that will work with that head. Oh yeah, and a magnet is a must so you don't lose any of the little keepers (they might try your patience going back together, this is where a good spring compressor comes in)

This is the one I have, it's made by OTC and costs less than $50

 

Lap the valves, plenty of internet info and youtube videos to show you how that works.

But to be honest, 190K, id give engnbldr a call and replace the head. His prices are well within reason.

 

If you have a compression gauge you can use it to fill cylinders with air then the valve wont drop and you wont have to pull the head. It works just fine...

 

Where in eastern pa are you, i work at an auto parts store and we have all the machines to cut your head.

 

Just a heads up. I have an Engnbldr Timing kit for sale, if you are interested here in my for sale thread.... https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f107...ng-kit-233192/