I recently acquired a 1992 Pickup ext cab 5spd with the 22RE. I was to perform and head gasket job for someone. After finding other issues the owner decided he didnt want to spend the money, so he signed the title over to me for my labor, about 4 hrs.

Now that i got the story out of the way. I discovered a missing timing chain guide, very slack chain, damaged timing cover, and oil pump. I did drive this thing 3 miles to my shop without a problem, which surprised me. I already have the top end mostly apart, I have a head gasket set, timing chain kit, water pump, timing cover, oil pump, and i just placed a order for upgraded 4 hole injectors.

Is there anything else i should plan on while i got it all apart? I would also like to here what yalls spark plug recommendations are. The truck does have 616k miles on it but the motor supposedly has around 200-250k and is from a 93 model. The truck is in excellent shape though for the mileage. No rattles or squeaks.

now onto the pics...






I will be updating this thread as it progresses. I plan to use it as my DD. It has to get better fuel mileage than my other trucks.

 

No input? I usually put cooper spark plugs in my vehicles. I guess ill try some ngk coppers.

 

Why copper plugs?


Sound like you got it covered on the head gasket and related work.

 

I have found that most of these older vehicles run better with plain old copper, forget the rare earth medals.

 

New injectors showed up today!!! Cant wait to put this thing together.

 

Yep, copper all the way and just change em more often.

 

616k miles wow... how does one drive that much?

There's not a whole lot you have to do to help out a 22RE, they are very reliable. You've covered pretty much all of it, and you seem to know what you are doing so the rest is a no-brainer (spark plugs, wires, valve lash adjustment, etc.).

 

Actually I havent thought about valve lash adjustment, im glad you mentioned it. Will the procedure in my haynes manual be sufficient?

Ive been a mechanic my whole life but mostly GM vehicles. Though one of my dirat big builds at a chevy dealer was a 89 toyota 4x4 that I had to do a 22re motor swap in so I have some experience there.

Something else I just thought about is the fuel filter. As hard as it is to get to I oughta replace it while im there. Luckily I have a new one left over from that previous swap I did in the bottom of my toolbox.

 

Ohh yeah as to the miles. The po used it for delivering parts for dealerships all over the state and put about 300 miles a day on it.

 

So I was hoping to get this thing wrapped up today but I just discovered a burnt exhaust valve. Trying to locate one locally now. I wish I would have seen this last weekend.

 

I went ahead and bit the bullet and dropped the head off at a machine shop. Im going to go ahead and have it rebuilt for piece of mind. So looks like it will be another week or 2 until i get it back on the road.