Replace rings on nearly overheated 22RE?

In a word: No!

Rings hardly ever need to be replaced. Some years ('85) of 22R/RE have a piston design which led to oil consumption; which new rings do not fix.

In fact, you could of gotten away with doing the chain (and cover) without removing the head. An aftermarket cover, timing chain kit, and pan gasket would cost less than $100.

I avoid machine shop expenses! Most heads do not need work. If a head needs work, I'd rather pull a good one at PicknPull - around $50.

Rings means getting into the block. A whole lot more work. If it wasn't burning a lot of oil I wouldn't do the rings, especially since it is not your primary vehicle.

You can grab a new timing chain cover, oil pump , water pump and timing chain set for around $150 total from ebay dealers. I did six 22R headgaskets last year, and I got all my replacement parts off of ebay.

I agree, unless you had a big oil consumption issue, I would not worry about rings.

----------------- TheSnoMan.com

This is basically where I'm going now. I don't feel bad having pulled the head, as it had never been off, and replacing the gaskets. Other than that, the above is pretty much what I'm doing, so I appreciate the comments and won't think about creating any more unnecessary work for myself.

Thanks again.

I would do a valve job while head is off or at least hand lap the valves and you want the head checked for flatness too.

----------------- TheSnoMan.com

But, if it wasn't using excessive oil before the valve job, it might with the added compression from the valve job. Ron

this is not a reason not to do it. Given that it is a bit of pain to remove head, now is the time to reseat valves because given mileage there could be some eroision damage in that that has not reach critical stage yet but may soon and relaping them fixes this. Unleaded fuel is very hard on valves and they have been hardened to help coupe with this and relapping them cleans up their seating.

----------------- TheSnoMan.com