X2 on the starter trick, worked great.
Couldn't agree more with the oil pan being the biggest pain of the whole ordeal.

 

irab88 - It was easy for me too (used same method, and zip tied it to my frame to ensure "snugness"), I've done it several times, but I got lucky...I've seen countless threads here (with pictures) of people cracking sockets, stripping the bolt, etc...

Especially on an older engine that hasn't been "serviced" in a while

 

Or, instead of pulling a fuse, just pull the spark plug wire off the coil so you don't turn the engine on when you "bump" the starter.

 

I took a look at my 2 1985 22RE trucks - the one with A/C looks the same as 4Crawlers. The other, without A/C, has the same green plug as you. Interesting. I wonder the difference in plugs has to do with build date (i.e. early 85 vs late 85). I say this because it was my understanding that A/C was not installed at the factory but stateside.

 

i hate being automatic, have heard of the starter trick a few times. ive helped a 22r buddy do his timing chain, his was 5spd. so it was alot easier. oil pan i wasnt there for though, he said he's done with the big stuff and he didnt need my help anymore because he's just doing the little work. shouldve stuck around and learned something!!

i do have a full rock gasket set (are they any good?) and the rock timing chain kit with metal guides. i actually got it for free, so i cant complain, but it didnt come with the water or oil pump.

anyway, i have all my stuff to do the timing chain. can somebody point me in the direction of a thread that says what to use, or what not to use from engnbldr?

 

i know that fel-pro makes a good gasket. i used about 1/2 the fel-pro gaskets (including the head and exhaust gaskets), and the other 1/2 were rock from engnbldr (from the front-end & top rebuild kit)

 

There are a lot of good photos on my post here:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...nstall-210478/

as well as feedback from members.

Really recommend poring over 92 TOY's write up(s) - he has ltos of great photos and feedback from the guys here.

Sounds like you have most of the parts you need. I used all the gaskets in ENGNBLDR's kit, but then got timing cover gaskets from fel pro later, when I was addressing a coolant leak (not a result of ENGNBLDR's gaskets).

Good luck!