Hi everyone,
Looking for input on why the engine wont turn over. Here is a little bakground.
This is a 1994 22RE engine sitting in a 1985 4runner with the original 1985 intake manifold. 6 months ago, the headgasket blew a few blocks away from home (luckly). Got home, parked and started taking it apart.
I decided to do some upgrades while doing this job. So, I got a new stage 2 cylinder head from 22reperformance and new timing cover. I had replaced the timing chain less than 100 miles before head gasket blew so decided to reuse. I replaced the timing cover because it had some wear and some bad threads.

Fast forward to today. At TDC, I installed the timing cover and chain with dot on top sprocket looking up 12 oclock. I then installed the new head with the camshaft looking up. So I had everything at 12 oclock and on TDC. I then moved over to adjust the rocker arms (valves). The initial valves for piston one were loose as expected. Did the intake/exhaust as in the FSM. I then tried to crank manually to the next position but I'm only able to turn about 1/3 of a turn. I'm past the quarter turn but before the half. I've tried over and over but not able to. I also tried maybe going back counter clock wise but only able to go back 1/4 turn past TDC (counter clock wise).

Additional notes

• Transmission is in neutral
• Crankshaft balancer/bolt torqued to 116
• Cam timing bolt torqued to 58

 

Foreign object left in a cylinder??? Foreign object fouling camshaft??

 

That was my first thought. I also called Jim from 22reperformance who was super helpful. I took a look inside the timing cover and it seems like the lower gear of the timing chain somehow broke a tooth. How? How this this happen and why me? Ugh!

You can't really see jt in the Pic but attaching anyway.

 

 

The culprit. Anyone know why this would happen? Brand new cover which is now chewed off and new chain.

 

foreign object, like say a bolt or nut. got bound up between the casting and the gear or the chain and gear. forcing it caused the teeth to break.
just a theory

 

Possible theory. I'll crack open the oil pan tomorrow and take a look. I was careful but the timing chain stayed up and exposed waiting for the head to come one for more than a month. So could be possible something came through.

 

I'd guess the timing chain had slack in it when you installed the timing cover. Notice how the lower timing sprocket teeth seem bent backward (toward the clutch)? There is very little gap radially between the lower part of the timing chain and the timing cover when assembled.

 

Slack is definitely a possibility. I tried to keep it tensed while I installed the timing cover but maybe didn't do a good job. Im going to get a new timing cover and new timing chain kit to be safe. It just killed me when the engine wouldn't turn after putting everything back together.

 

Posting to close the thread. Took it apart. Seems like slack cause the chain to eat into the lower support of the timing chain cover. I had it sitting in the garage open for too long waiting on the cylinder head.

 

the same thing happened to me when I was replacing my head gasket. Changed my front cover, timing chain, oil pump, water pump and head along with the head gasket and it ended up seizing up when I was trying to turn it over. I even tried towing it down the road and jumping it but it wouldn’t budge. Took it back apart and it ended up being my oil pump. The gears inside got stuck for some reason. Put a new oil pump and it’s running like new