Anybody know what these came in in the US? There's a guy in the Portland area that has one on CL and was wondering. My 20R is making crazy noises and I'm considering either replacing it with a 22R that's rebuilt ($1000) or just swapping in something that would work for the time being and get me a few 10k miles ($150). I know a 21R is just a 2.0L version of the 2xR family but from the power rating for the year it's a little up on the 20R I have. I don't care too much about it being a speedy beast since mine's such a gutless wonder anyway, as long as it goes OK and gets decent mileage (right now I get 17-18mpg). Any thoughts? Waste of time to bother with a 21R-U? better than a 21R-C I would guess!!!
The 21R didn't come in anything in the US, they were those Japan pullouts people were importing with claims of low mileage. Can't buy rings, pistons, or head gaskets here in the US for them.
Only reason I asked is because someone has one that's in good condition for $150. My budget is always slim for this truck so I thought I'd ask. I'm gonna throw a compression gauge on it on sunday, but I think I lost a cylinder, and my valve guides are leaking. It blows smoke when it's cold, then cleans up once it warms up a little. It always runs rough and the head ticks like a typewriter. I get 17mpg with a 5 speed, but part of that is the 4:10 gears. I used to get 19mpg, then 18, now 16-17. Kinda makes you wonder what's going on. Haven't touched the carb since it got 19mpg, so I doubt that's the issue. If I had the cash I'd probably get that rebuilt 22RE, convert to EFI and be done with it, but that's probably $2k to get that done parts wise. I don't drive the truck much at all right now because I'm worried the engine will grenade on me soon. Plus it's rainy and my blower motor is dead, so no defrost! I only drive it when it's clear and dry out. What I'll probably wind up doing is finding a 22R on CL and slap my Weber-ish on it. Everything else will just bolt up (header, hoses, fan, starter, etc..). I could probably pull that off for less than $500 total and that might last me 100k. Dunno. The other crap on the truck has been sidelining me from tackling the engine again. Thanks for the input. To be honest I just want a nice solid running motor in there that's gonna get me better than 20mpg. If I swap 3:42's in there I'd like to see 25mpg + ideally. My xB gets 28-29mpg.
I think a fresh 22R inside your truck will do ALOT of help in terms of efficiency. Maybe do the 20R thing if you have the time to do so. I kinda wonder why your truck is running so horribly. Oh yeah, the xB has a smaller motor yet the vehicle weighs lighter than your truck. Conversion to EFI will be quite alot. A weber'd 22R will be good. Have you done valve lashing? I hope your timing chain guides are intact!
The 2008 and up xB's have 2.4L motors. It's actually pretty quick for a econobox motor, wish it could bolt up to a W50! I already did the lash and it's right at spec. I replaced the timing set when I tore down the motor. the only things not replaced / redone were the block and head. Everything else has been cleaned up and replaced. I'm guessing if I slap a 22R longblock in there and slap my stuff on there it would be night and day. I'm guessing the motor had a little too much oil being sucked thru the intake for too long to be in good shape... probably burned the hell out of everything. I won't be suprised if the comp check comes up with at least one bad cylinder.
whoops! yeah didn't know you had the newer one. And yeah, my friend had a gold release version, thing was fast! for a box! If most parts can transfer, it would run amazingly. How loud is your ticking when you start? Mine "ticks" or "taps" generally when cold in the morning, which is probably when it first gets its quench of oil.
It constantly ticks. I think I've got issues with the head, bad valve guide seals, and probably the valves don't seat properly anymore. The thing's gotta have at least 300k on it. It had never been opened up, EVER. I had hoped to get 1-2 years out of the motor but it has been going down hill fast. OH well, by the time I'm thru it'll be practically all new!
300k? I was expecting somewhere like 150-250k! lol I think a fresh 22R will easily cure most of your issues. hmmm, rebuild the 20R on the side?
It's gotta be one or the other. I can't afford to have 2 engines, I don't have the room for it either. I'm keeping my eye out for a 22R for cheap for the time being. I can just grab a 22R intake so that all my stuff bolts up. Or save $1000 and grab that rebuilt one. Kinda like that idea better but we're talking July or something before I can save that kind of money. toddlers are expensive to keep fed and clothed!!!!
Ok here's a question... what is a rebuildable 20R worth? I've seen a few motors on Craig's for MONTHS that were $100!! It's gotta be worth more than THAT!!!
