Why This Page Exists

The 1975-1984 20R and 22R left the factory with a dual row timing chain. From 1985 Toyota switched the 22R and 22RE to a single row chain running on plastic guides, and that combination has proven to be a problem even in stock engines. When a guide breaks up, the chain slaps the cover, and on a 22R that can mean coolant into the crankcase.

So the first question is what your engine came with, and the second is how permanently you want to fix it.

1985-1995 Engines: Three Ways to Go

1. Single row with metal-backed guides — the sensible replacement

The single row kit with metal-backed guides keeps the factory arrangement but replaces the plastic guide that is the frequent failure. It comes with our metal-backed guides, cam and crank sprockets, a 96-link chain, tensioner, gaskets and crankshaft seals. For most rebuilds and most high-mileage refreshes, this is the right kit.

If you are already in that deep, the same kit with the oil and water pumps included saves doing the job twice.

2. Single row with plastic guides — only if you have a reason

We stock the plastic-guide kit because some people want the factory part, and we will sell it to you. But we will also tell you plainly that the metal-backed guides are far superior, and that the plastic guide is the part that fails. Take this one only if originality matters more to you than the next 100,000 miles.

3. Dual row conversion — the permanent answer

The LCE Dual Row Timing Chain Conversion Kit replaces the factory single row setup with a double row chain and metal-backed guides, which makes an 85-95 engine as strong in this area as the early 20R and 22R. It is a complete kit: custom timing cover, chain kit with metal-backed guides, blueprinted Pro oil pump, new water pump, oil pump drive spline, bolt kit, gaskets and front seal.

It will not work on 1981-1984 22R engines. Those already have a dual row chain and take a straightforward kit instead.

The Trap: Conversion-Only Parts

Once you have fitted the LCE conversion, several parts are specific to it and will not fit a factory cover. If you are servicing an engine that already has our conversion on it, you want the dual row kit for LCE conversion only, the chain on its own, the metal back guides for the conversion, the conversion cover or its gaskets. Ordering the standard version of any of these is the commonest mistake on this page.

1975-1984 Engines

These already run a dual row chain. The 20R/22R dual row kit for 1975-1984 is the complete set, the chain on its own if the rest is serviceable, and metal back guides to replace the plastic. For 1983-1984 single row engines, use the 1983-1984 single row kit.

Covers, Tensioners and Hardware

New timing chain covers are available for 1985-1995 and 1975-1984 — worth fitting if the old one has been chewed by a broken guide. The chain tensioner covers 1983-1995. Gasket sets are split the same way as the covers: 1985-1995 and 1975-1984. Hardware kits are available for the single chain setup and as a general 20R/22R/22RE kit.

Do this job once. The parts are inexpensive relative to the labour, and relative to what a failed guide costs.

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