i have an 86 turbo pickup. always ran great, then one day it wouldnt start. i noticed if i would crank the engine for about 5 minutes(i know this is bad) it would start. along with a bunch of white smoke. while cranking i could hear the coolant building up pressure in the radiator. soooooooooo i assumed blown head gasket. head gasket was good, but three of the head bolts on the exhaust side were barely tight. im going to assume that much cranking heated up the head enough to expand enough to make a good seal with the block. i had the head checked and it had some warpage to it. the head has already been machined once by the previous owner, but i dont know how much and i dont know the previous owner either.

so can somebody tell me what the stock head height is and how much it can be machined before it causes problems such as valve crashing or too much compression

I asked the minimum deck height question on here before and didn't get a reply, the turbo head is a rare bird.
However, my machinist had the numbers in his books and was able to figure out that one of the heads I brought him was slightly below minimum height. BTW, that truck ran fine.

I've been reading about using the regular 22R/RE head and am probbaly going to do a turbo motor with one. I'll most likely use a new one from Engnbldr. I don't have all the details yet cause I haven't done the swap yet.
Some of the turbo gurus on the board might be able to give you the low down on it though.

While you have the motor apart get your turbo checked out. A worn one can create an ocasional/steady white smoke cloud when it pushes some coolant and oil into the hot side making you think your head gasket is toast.

Good luck,
Dan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the reply. im going to have to replace mine anyhow. when i removed the cam i noticed it had some deep scratches in the journals from the previous owner not changing the oil regularly. i just changed my turbo last month therefore i know its good.

keep me posted on the 22re head on the turbo motor, im curious how it will work out.

i found a place that sells rebuilt heads for my truck with a 12 month gaurantee for $275.

i remember reading somewhere where jeff mosk used a 22re head instead of turbo head cause it was rare. there was something different with the chamber but it worked fine for him. you should try to PM him about it.

Chamber is smaller with turbo head giving more compression.

i spoke to tod @ engnbldr.com he says that their head (22r/re) will work well but strongly reccomends an intercooler. probabally not a bad idea considering your compression is raised one full point, any type of predetonation and bye bye piston and whatever else . forged pistons arent nescessary but the piece of mind of a stronger part might pay for its self, just know that forged pistons expand more when they heat up and are notorious for having a little piston slap when cold starting.


a 22r/re head will be fine just make sure you have that mugger tuned right before you whomp on it.