The 20R 2200cc. / 22R 2400cc. engines were the most popular US Toyota engines ever built. During the 25 years I owned my transmission repair shop we repaired and rebuilt a bunch of transmissions that were bolted to these engines. It was not unusual to see vehicles with over 200,000 miles on them, and the engines still ran strong.. I suspect due to the age  and unbelievable mileage that  these engines can last for, that the only reliable way to buy a 22re is going to fall in the “rebuilt engines” category.

I’m not saying there are not any good pre-owned engines available because the best suppliers of engines know how to locate reliable second hand products. It is safe to say that the supply of said product is running low.

From 1975 to 1995, these seemingly un-wear-out-able motors served as U.S.Toyota’s most dependable engine. These engines powered the Celica models until 1985, and the unbreakable Pick-up models used these engines until 1995. Turbo models appeared briefly as the 22RTE in 1985-1988 on Pick-up and 4Runners. The 22RE Fuel injection models appeared in 1983, on some Celica and Pick-up models.

In 1985- the 22RE had a major change. The block was taller and the head shorter, compared to the earlier models. The engines’ blocks and heads are not interchangeable.

The engines are OHC design, with hemispherical combustion chambers. The cross-flow head was very efficient, short of a 2 or 4 valve (per cylinder) Twin Cam. The long stroke provided a lot of torque at a low RPM range. The engine responded well to all the tuning tricks. The 20R head is different from the 22R heads. The 20R had open combustion chambers and the 22R had a swirl-inducing chamber (for cleaner emissions).
The 22RTE Turbo engine was based on the later model 22RE (short block /tall head). This is a similar but entirely different block and head. The block was drilled with different oil passages to meet the Turbo oil lubrication demands. The cylinder head’s combustion chamber had a different shape. The piston was dished. Advertised horsepower was 145. This is a testimony to the bulletproof bottom end design.

List of Toyota Vehicles this transmission came in:

• 1985-1995 Toyota Hilux

• 1983-1985 Toyota Celica

• 1985-1995 Toyota Pickup

• 1985-1995 Toyota 4Runner

One of the issues with this engine is that it had very few problematic issues. So with the reality that these motors lasted forever, the supply of these particular engines that are used and in good shape are low. Realistically speaking, this is not an engine that just blew up or broke and quit running. The issue at hand is that when an old Toyota 22re engine is located and running, normally it is worn out and needs to go through the rebuilt engine process.

We know the value of maintenance from talking about it so much in other posts. this particular engine is so well built that in essence, even with a lack of maintenance they last forever. So, expect a Toyota rebuilt engine to last longer than your expectations are concerned. Which brings me to the quality built into a particular rebuilt engine.

One of the ways GotEngines.com outperforms all other rebuilt engine suppliers is because they do a lot of homework in terms of becoming knowledgeable about the rebuilding facility they purchase their rebuilt engines from. They want to know the engine was rebuilt to higher than factory specifications. Using only the best parts available, assembled by factory trained mechanics.

Other variables that contribute to building confidence, since we can’t really see inside the engine, per say is: They are run for at least an hour on an engine testing dynamometer to test for performance and leaks. This is where the engine is tuned in and finalized for crating and delivery. It is important to know why the tests take so long. Just because the engine starts and runs great proves a lot, but most elusive running problems that occur after a rebuilt engine is started occur when the engine gets hot. It takes about 15 minutes for an engine to reach full operating temperature.

It is very compelling and confidence building to know that a rebuilt engine was run for an hour to make sure it has not built in problems that will only occur hot, and  show up after you installed the rebuilt engine and take the car for a ride.

A long post indeed. Although the GotEngines.com blog chose to blurb about the Toyata 22re engine, the basic rules of how to choose a replacement engine remain the same for all rebuilt engines.. Enjoy.