OK...in my Phoenix Project story I wrote:

"Even if it's not overheating, the carbureted 22R four-cylinder is a weak excuse for an engine in my experience.  The thing is low-powered, has a noisy valvetrain, and the carburetor can't compensate for changes in altitude.  The 22R-E is an improvement, but it's still a slug and has a noisy valvetrain."

Since you know my take, what's yours?  Have you had a 22R (or R-E) last forever, or have you had that engine die several times on the vine?

I feel about the 22R and R-E the same way I feel about the band U2...it's good, but extremely overrated.

Kevin Blumer  

I have to say that I like the 22R-E.  I think they're reliable, last a long time, and they work much better on the trail at crawling speed than the V6 boat anchor that was available from 1988-1995. The 22R-E has better low-end torque than the V6.  

You've had a bad experience with the 22R.  Regarding the 22R-E, I think you should take the advice of the ad that says, "Try it!  You'll like it!"  

Hmmm...

Low end torque is great for the trail, but I think even a 22R-E will be a slug on the freeway that leads to the trail.

If I had a 22R-E that ran well, didn't overheat, and was reliable I might form a new opinion about the 22R and 22R-E.

For now, we'll just say that the jury is out.  

Well, maybe the 22RE isn't impressive in an off-roader, but in a 2WD street truck (I know, heresy in this forum) they're plenty spunky. I know some of them were prone to break timing chains sometimes, but other than that, as far as I know, they have a rock-solid reputation.