22re Rebuild

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tgreco

tgreco

10 Year
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Threads
12
Messages
768
Location
Athens, GA
Brief backstory: Just completed timing chain, cover, etc replacement on my 1987 4Runner with ~ 200kmi. Upon reassembly, I thought that I was having trouble getting it timed correctly, got frustrated, brought it to a shop, and they told me that my #4 injector was not putting fuel into the cylinder. In addition the #4 cylinder was losing 70% of its compression.

So, I am at a cross roads with how to proceed. The motor ran strong (much better than my 22r) which is what surprised me about the low compression. I am planning on replacing the fouled injector and having the other 3 cleaned and tested. My issue now is should I just go ahead and rebuild the motor.

I don't have a ton of time and no experience beyond the timing chain replacement I just completed. I want to use quality parts and it seems that I can get into a well built and complete long block for not too much more than a personal rebuild. I have done a fair bit of reading and 22re Performance seems to offer a pretty good looking motor. I also read a 2012 post from Jynx? (who I think I recognize from this board) who got a complete reman short block locally.
I feel comfortable with the top end of the motor but not the bottom (unlike my taste in women).

Do you guys have any recommendations for a reman 22re locally? I live in Athens, but anywhere in the Atlanta area would save me some pretty significant shipping costs. Thanks for the advice and sorry for the novel.
 
First a couple quick questions; do you trust the shop and did he actually tell you what the compression numbers were? If it was running solid I find it hard to believe you are loosing that much compression and not seeing a significant power loss. Also is it the original HG?

Edit: breezed past a couple basic questions I should've asked. You said having trouble with timing, what specifically was the problem. Would the motor run but was loosing power? Rough idle? I know a guy who did a timing set and he can't get it timed right and we had a long talk and I think he is going to find that he got the chain off a tooth while trying to get the cam sprocket on. Give us a little more description of the main issue.

I would get the compression numbers before I dove in. If you can stand the downtime, pulling the head will give you a good idea what you are up against. HG could be starting to go and that might be as far as you have to go. If you see scoring in the cylinder then you know you are in for some machine work and at least new rings and bearings. If you can do the TC and can read a manual, you can rebuild a bottom end. It is actually easier than most top end work.

That said, I got my complete OEM toyota short block from Sam at LOWE. I put together a laundry list OEM and 22REPerformance parts to build my motor. It is about to go on the stand for assembly. I am not sure what shipping would be but on a motor from 22REPerformance, but they seem to be a solid motor. Also Mr. T's definition of a short block is not the same as most. It is block, crank, rods and pistons. You either have to swap everything else onto it, or buy all new bits.

Not to put you off a new Toyota block, but it is basically a full assembly job and I am pretty sure you could have a 22REPerf. Motor for about what I paid for the shortblock alone....

Might give Brian or Michael at ACC a call to see what they have to say, they are awesome guys and might be able to help you find a good local builder, or might be able to do a rebuild for you, to your specs and budget.
 
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Thanks for the response Jynx - I was hoping you would chime in. I read your thread and it ended without the outcome of your rebuild - sounds like it still isn't complete. It sounds like I am in the same boat as you with my engine rebuild. In response to your post:

I do trust the shop (historic use and general impressions from talking with the mechanic).

They showed me the computer read outs (not sure what they are called but looks like an EKG readout) and results of the leak-down test. I didn't get the actual compression test numbers, but from what I know the leak down is a better analysis method. These indicated that loss of compression was in the bottom end and not thru the valves - probably rings. The timinig is correct and confirmed by the mechanic. Additionally, I checked and adjusted the TPS.

It is the original HG - the motor was never touched prior to my purchase (I bought it from the original buyer)

The primary symptom was that the motor would bog under load and at low RPM, with rough idle and generally low power. I replaced/cleaned the injectors and put them in last night - this significantly improved the power loss. It still bogs slightly under load, but it drives closer to what it did before (it's been ~ 2 months since I drove it so I can't remember exactly how it ran). I think I just might be more cognizant of the problem now. Also, my only comparison is to an extremely tired 22r which likely swayed my "ran strong" comment.

I tend to be a bit OCD and from a rough go of pricing a pieced together rebuild using quality parts, I could purchase a complete long block for about the same price if not less than a rebuild. From looking at 22performance motor options, I could get a pretty sweet motor for less than $3,000. My problem is that I'm not sure I really want to put that much money into this vehicle.

I'll try the guys at ACC and see what recommendations they have.
 
I spoke with Peter (I think) at ACC earlier - great guy and walked me through my options in great detail. Unfortunately, I think my local rebuild options are going to be more expensive than a new motor. He did mention that they get engines from "Japan Engines". They have good prices - $1,750 for a NEW 22re shipped and it sounds like they use primarily Japanese parts (although he did say the block casts were done in China of Taiwan but use Toyota templates). $1,350 for a rebuilt 22re. Both come complete minus intake, water pump, exhaust, sensors, and all the small stuff.

I'm still on the fence and appreciate you guys listening. I think this thread has turned into a place for me to vent frustration, as I think my only option is to make up my mind - sell or buy complete rebuilt/new motor.
 
It sounds like you have some options. I know this sounds crazy, but have you confirmed that you are on as far as teeth on the cam/crank sprockets? How does your distributor sit, does it seem like it is all the way one direction, like you might need to change it a tooth?

Just throwing some thoughts out, but it sounds like from your diagnostic that you are gonna need at the very least a re-ring, and as long as your block is still solid and you can stand the down time, then I would just go ahead and pull the motor and take it to have it looked at.
 
To stir this back up, I've been contemplating several options on whether to sell, rebuild, or go with a reman 22re. I've been seeing this listing on Craigslist for a while and figured I give them a call.

http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/4079862851.html

They seemed to be knowledgeable, use decent parts, and don't max out the specs on every block they get in. So, I could not find a lot of information on the web regarding their quality so I figured I ask you guys about anything you know about them. The beauty is that delivery to my house is included in the price. They will also rebuild my engine if I so desire.

So any knowledge of these guys?
 
Thanks for the link Ted. I sent him PM over on TTORA.

I appreciate the offer to pickup/deliver, but I will probably go take a look for myself. My wife's birthday is on Saturday, so unfortunately I won't make it this weekend.
 
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