22R engine question

I had an '83 RN38 for many years in various forms, although the 22R spent alot of its life in my '80 celica after the 4.3 mod.

The '83 truck engine is one of very few models with a single timing chain; when I rebuilt if for the Celica, I switched to double. It may well be knackered...how many miles?

Do the standard no start troubleshooting sequence as you are already in the process of... spark ignition engines need three things...spark, fuel, and compression.

If you have good spark at the plugs, check the ignition timing.

Since the engine is carbureted, you should be able to see fuel being discharged from the accelerator pump nozzles into the throttle body when you pump the pedal. Even if the carb is completely gunked, you should get a "pop" off the accelerator pump fuel. Also, catch a sample at the carb inlet to insure the fuel is not contaminated.

Next check the valve timing; it is a piece of cake on that engine. Hell, I used to ADJUST my valves every other oil change since it was so convenient!

Lastly, run a compression test; again very easy.

After that, if you don't know why it won't start, consider suicide.

BTW, I have an original FSM for that particular model if you think you can convince me to scan a page or three.

Good fortune, John

DCabTaco said:

Yup it looks like the chain jumped 4 teeth. I took the valve cover off and set it to TDC. The dot on the cam gear is about 4 teeth before the top. The chain also appears loose. Just for my knowledge, should the chain be slightly loose when I install it? Like mentioned before I might have bent some valves. What else should I look at that might have been damaged by this?

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First I will say I am far from a mechanic like many of us. I don't recall my timing chain being loose or sloppy after replacing it. However what is loose to one may not be loose to another. Perhaps the tensioner is shot? Could you tell if your guide rails are broken? If you haven't done a timing chain for 50,000 miles or more or don't know when it was last done might be a good idea to replace it. I recommend getting a timing chain kit from http://www.engnbldr.com/

Ted at engnbldr is very knowledgeable and helpful. I have seen comments from Ted on the pirate board about his desire to help others even if they do not buy from him. He is about helping people and not stuck on just making a sale. Give him a call.

If you replace the tensioner make sure you don't over tighten the bolt.

Hope this helps,
Kurt

Well, by loose I mean what little is showing on the top with only the valve cover removed can be pulled away from the cam gear almost to the point of sliding it off. The only reason I asked if it should be a little loose when I install the new one is because I have never installed one with a tensioner. I only have experience with the small block chevy type that slide on together and are pretty tight. I haven't removed this one nor could I see if the tensioner or rails are shot, yet. Unfortunately it's been raining here in sunny southern California so I have only been able to work on it on and off in between the heavy down pours. I guess once I remove it I will be able to tell exactly what broke. Needless to say I will be getting the complete timing chain kit with tensioner and rails since I don’t know when it was replaced last. Now I am just wondering what else I should replace. Once I remove the head I will see just how many valves will need replacing.