22RE rebuild advice central IN

[snaggletto]

My daily driver '86 4x4 22RE is in need of attention. It has been limping along burning oil and leaking air with a cracked exhaust manifold and a stripped manifold stud. Today I noticed coolant leaking from under the exhaust manifold right around the #2 piston area, so bad head gasket I guess. Indicated mileage is 160,000.

Any good engine rebuilders / machine shops in the central IN / IL area? What about replacement engines? Or should I go for a rebuild kit and try it on my own? I do have a barn and a factory service manual and a decent set of basic hand tools and brains, just no experience. Just wanting to weigh my options, any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tonyota]

I live in Anderson, In.

I have rebuilt two 22re engines. Pretty easy. And replaced cams & timing chains & other such internal components, it's a pretty easy to deal with engine. One of my all time favorites

I use Shorts Machine Shop in Anderson. Dave Short is awesome, none better, I say.

 

[snaggletto]

I assume you did the tear down and assembly and just had them do the machine work? I guess it's preferable to let them source the pistons and bearings and such so that they can machine to fit? I have coolant leaking down the exhaust side of the block, but no milk on my dipstick. I really probably only need a new head gasket and maybe some rings to lower my oil consumption. This is taking away from my fj40 fix up funds. Thanks for the input.

 

[Gumby]

The pistons and bearings are made to fit set dimensions you would machine to. You wouldn't machine a block to fit the pistons. You would buy the pistons you need based on how the block needed to be machined.

 

[4rnr]

Im guessing you only need a HG. and while the head is off may as well have it fluxed and rebuilt, or buy some guide seals and rebuild your self. I doubt the block is in bad shape. Changing the valve guide seals will help a little with oil consumption. Do you have blue smoke on start up after sitting over night, or longer??

 

[Gumby]

I'm pretty sure a group of three or four drunks can change a head on a 22re in a couple of hours when they are supposed to be at a bonfire. It's no big deal.

 

[clund21]

X2 on valve seals, my 85 4Runner needed them badly when I rebuilt it last summer. I used Richards cylinder repair on the south side of Indy to mill the head and check it for cracks. Very reasonably priced and next day service

 

[tonyota]

I always have the machine shop assemble the short block. It's usually only like $50.00 extra for them to do it & then you don't have to fxxx with it. And you know it's right.

 

[snaggletto]

Not so much blue smoke, mostly white and steamy and watery like I'm getting coolant in the exhaust manifold. After changing my oil and filter, the oil blackens up really fast like around 1000-1500 miles. I assumed this was blow by from the rings, rather than valve seals. There has been no sign of coolant in the oil.

I just installed a double seal transfer output and rebuilt the parking brake on my '40. I'll be driving it and start tearing into the mini truck. I hear good things about engnbldrs 22re parts. I'll be changing the water pump and timing set while I'm in there... Thanks for the input. I will report in when I know something.