so i am new to the joint, coming from nc currently. i just picked up a 83 long bed deluxe. 2wd, 5spd. I am stoked about it, especially since i picked it up super cheap. the body is in really good shape The bad thing is i think i need a new engine, i have a cylinder that is burnt up. The previous owner got a hole in the timing chain cover, and decided to drive it home. I think that cooked the engine. Anyways, i am looking at my options and think easiest thing is to replace the engine. not always easy to find. i am getting a mechanic friend to help me with it. i am trying to figure some things out price wise. he says that he has found another engine from a junk yard...$1800 sounds like too much to me, but i am not real familiar with that part. I can get a 87 22r engine for 400 from a guy who is swapping out, would that work? i know that it is currently running. i know the differences of EFI and such, would it mount to the 5 spd ok? you might tell i am a bit of a newbie at the car rehab but totally invested and learn quickly

i would be interested in any advice/comments thanks

 

Hmmmm $1800 does sound a bit high for a motor but I have a very poor frame of referance being in CO where all of my bits are usually dirt cheap. But yeah the 22R should mound right in but it depends what you have the truck now. Im not real familiar with 83's and weather they have 20R or 22R motors but one thing to look at if you consider the 22R and you don't have one already is that they are cable driven throttle so if you have manual linkage that can be a pain.

But that should get you started im not the best resource on here lol.

 

your truck should have a 22r in it already.. and 1800 for the motor thats way over priced for a stock one even if its mildly built thats still alot the only prob you might have is the motor mounts could be different if it came out of a car and it will bolt up to your 5 speed

 

you would use your existing motor mounts with the new motor you put in.

1800 is waaaaaay too much for a motor. you could get 2 trucks for that. 400 is still high with out a transmission with the deal. Im sure there are some NC members on here that will chime in on some yards or places to go to get motors. Jasper engines just hit up our shop trying to get us to buy our reman motors from them. you can get a complete new long block for like 500 or so. Then you just have to transfer a few parts from your old motor. if it came down to a junkyard motor or used motor for 400 and a 0 mile new motor for 500, i would take the 500 one. you will learn how some stuff works and goes together on your motor and get an engine that should run for 200K.

edit: i just went to the jasper site to try to see the engine prices but they dont list em...they gave us a lil book that had all the prices for engines for us but we threw it away cause we rebuild our engines in house.

 

take it out, rebuild it. thats what I did, so far im 600 bucks into it with parts and labor (I put it together myself, labor is machine shop) my motors back in my truck just havent started it yet.

or buy a rebuilt on ebay for 1200 bucks brand new. not as good as a rebuilt factory motor but better then 1800 for a used

 

i appreciate all the words of wisdom...i think i found the best option today and could not resist...i found another 83 truck today, again for a really good deal. Its bed is rusted off, literally. I will post a pick when i get one, but the cab, and most importantly engine are in really good condition. I actually drove it around to make sure. plus, it has many parts i did not have, like a battery! It has brand new distributor, plugs, wires, and slave cylinder. The interior actually has some parts i can use as well, like seats, which i am happy about. so, i think i will just take all good parts from each and combine. this rehab is looking like more fun everyday

i really do not think i could have gotten a better deal than that. I am stoked! now to start working on it

edit: by the way i paid 500. I thought it was a pretty sweet deal. i had to drive 10 hrs round trip, but worth it. i literally drove all the way across the state and back today

 

I've got a buddy in Fuquay Varina that owns a Toyota salavge yard, I can ask him to price a motor and trans for you. He sold me a complete motor w/trans for 250.00

 

Thats really good to know! I may have to look their for some other parts, like a tailgate. you think he has one of those? and i would love to know about the engine price as well. i have two perfectly good trans so i dont need those.

thats sounds like some really nice possibilities thanks!