Well, Diagnostics is not my strongest skill and I'm just learning about this engine so I'm hoping for some help.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

A couple months ago I bought an '85 Runner with an '87 22RE. It runs pretty strong but I've noticed a clattering sound at certain speeds (mostly when letting off the gas after acceleration). I can almost certainly replicate the noise by getting up to speed in 3rd and then letting off the gas.

Honestly, I thought it was my tranny making noise but then I was revving it from under the hood and the noise is clearly coming from the top end when at high rev under no load. I think it's valve noise rather than timing chain but not certain. It was making the same noise the other day while revving it while spinning my tires a bit in 4lo/1st in the snow.
I'm not positive that these are the same noises - I've speculated that the noise I just described is valve noise and the noise I described in 3rd gear is my timing chain?

The timing chain does make the classic noise at startup but then subsides. That was worse before I changed the very black oil and replaced the cheap filter with a Toyota one.

I also noticed my belt was squealing when wet and lately a slight chirping/squealing sound at idle. I tightenend the belts a bit and was revving it to check and got a loud squeal out of the vicinity of the oil pump. My only reference is that it sounds like what a bad water pump bearing sounded like on another vehicle. The little chirpy squeal at idle is coming from there also. There's also a very slight oil leak that looks like it could be coming from the seal there.

My oil pressure seems to fluctuate and is very low at startup but after reading some posts it sounds like it's within spec.

I know there might be more than one thing going on here but does it sound like it's my oil pump or at least the seal?

I guess I'm thinking I'll do my timing chain ass'y, oil pump and probably water pump, the seals and gaskets, etc... I had priced out stuff locally but am thinking I'll go with EB's stuff instead. I figure I'll check the valve clearances while I'm in there. I know all of this is a good idea to do anyway, but am I barking up a likely tree as far as diagnosing the noises?

Thanks in advance...

Sounds like you have all the bases covered. Changing a oil pump on a 17 year old engine is a good idea. Some of the guys here have suggested to me to take off valve cover and look down inside and see if chain guides are intact. While your there, adjust valves. If that doesn't stop the noise then you gotta go further. I have read that a chain tensioner thats bolted on too tight will make a strange noise and might stick in a retracted position, making the chain slack on decelaration. If you replace t-chain, and find that timing cover has a groove from chain, it can be welded. That will prevent possible coolant leaks later.

Good luck.

EngineBuilders parts are top-notch.

Thanks for the response, Tater. Yeah, I saw your post and the replies and that helped me form my theory and the point about the chain slack on decel might be what I'm hearing. I'm about to order the pump and timing and gasket kits from EB.