85 4Runner: Attempted Build

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KJD4aP90YQ

 

Welp Gold Digger just keeps digging into my wallet. I noticed a leak between the valve cover and the head so I did a compression test. Valves 1,3, and 4 have great compression at 145-150 psi. Valve 2 on the other hand read ~112 psi, a 30 psi difference from the other 3. That reading indicates that the valve is still working because it still has some compression, but it is starting to burn or fail.



So now I'm running on 3.5ish cylinders and no 4x4. Just in time for winter.

 

So I just talked with LCE. Tony gave me a few options to consider. I have been doing a lot of reading and I am still reading about the labor involved, parts need, etc. I am considering attempting this myself. I've never torn an engine apart; the most technical wrenching I have done was installing the Spartan locker and I had someone help who knew what he was doing. I am not positive I will have the same type of help this time, so I'll probably end up by myself. A shop quoted me $750 for labor. I would supply the parts.

The first two are just plain stock options. New head ($400), new cam ($150 and I'm not sure if I *need* to replace or not), plus a gasket kit (~$130), and ARP head studs ($154).

The next option was of course the fully loaded badass fully built head ($1K)

http://www.lceperformance.com/Pro-Cylinder-Head-w-Camshaft-22R-RE-85-95-p/1021024.htm

What is everyone's opinion? Keep in mind I still need to have a shop fix my diff and a few other things at about $2K with parts and labor (without head work). Same shop would do the work on the diff and engine.

 

You don't really *need* a whole new head.. Just pull the head, buy a head gasket kit, some valves & valve seals, and take the head to a reputable machine shop and have them install the valves and deck the head. Throw it all back together and your good to go.

It's very easy and there's no way I would pay anyone $750 to do that. I can have a 22re head off in 2 hours and back on in about 2 more.

I think your over complicating what needs to be done. You've got a burnt valve. Not a big deal.

 

Agreed, save as much money as possible cause...

 

That's a good point. I'm just looking at it in the view of "what else can I replace while it's out" which always costs more.

BOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST

 

Yeah, but your gonna put a brand new head w/ a cam and everything on a 28 year old bottom end? Just freshen up the existing top end.

Now, I can see you wanting to replace the timing chain & guides, but that is not much more work. I would actually do that because it is a part that wears over time.

 

Very good point. Maybe I'll pick up a junk 22re and over time build it into a badass RTE.

Good idea. Probably convert it to the dual guide kit.

 

Picking up a spare and building it is probably the best idea..

 

I've decided not to buy a new head. I bought a whole new to me 22RE instead. Gonna swap the head off the spare motor and put it on mine. Already have plans for the spare motor

 

Good move!

 

Imma slap a turbo on the spare and build a Toyota rat rod.

 

Got me a tug boat.

 

I took a hiatus from TW for a while but I'm back now. A little update on the 4Runner.

Got the Trail Gear hi-steer kit installed a while back. It kicks ass, wayyy better than the stock steering. Also replaced the old battery with a Diehard 31M and Artec Industries battery box.

Punched a hole in the front diff cover at URE. Cut off old cover and had Barnes 4WD diff cover welded in place. Kinda leaky. Not very happy with it but it will work.

Blew the clutch out (months ago ) so that's just fantastic. Previous job didn't allow me the financial ability to get my shit fixed. New job = mo money so the plan is to have the truck back together by the end of the year.

 

Hory craps

 

Tryin to hang with the cool kidz lead to dis here:




And the fix:

 

Whoa! This dude is still around?

 

And the burnt clutch looks like dis:

 

Dangggg sonnn! Tore dat clutch up!!

 

I was luckily able to get myself off the trail and at least headed home, but I still had a 7.5 hours drive to get home. Luckily I had some help getting my busted shit to a gas station where it sat until I drove back up the next day with a trailer to get it the rest of the way home. It has sat since.