Time to fix the Headgasket problem

[2.5GT]

Yep, It's time. Starting March 3 the tear down begins. I couldn't find a WRX engine so Im just going to replace the head gasket on my subie.

It's a '98 Legacy 2.5GT Limited.

What other parts will I need beside the head gasket? And will OEM do the trick or should I go aftermarket?

[rougeben83]

Probably head bolts. And all the seals and timing belt change, etc. since you're going to be going through those along the way anyway.

[2.5GT]

Couldn't I use my stock ones?

I know seals a must, and does that come in a kit?

[rougeben83]

Not sure, some headbolts can only be torqued down once, then after that they either not hold the torque or sheer off. I'm not sure if the EJ engines also fall under this, but a lot of engines do.

[2.5GT]

I will throw that one on my list.

So far I have these parts, but feel free to add on to what i have.

- Head gaskets
- Intake gaskets
- Exhaust gaskets
- Valve cover gaskets
- Cam/Crank seals
- Timing Belt
- Water pump + seal
- Head bolts
- Alternator/power steering belts.
- Thermostat

[Reason]

I would add the Perrin crank pulley if you don't have one to that list. I did it when I had that list done. Car ran like a dream.

[RNandKT]

You don't need new head bolts unless you strip them, as for gaskets go to ebay and buy the kit. They sell for about 79 bucks plus shipping and include all the gaskets you'll need right down to the rubber grommets on the valve cover bolts you can piece th gaskets together but you'll spend about $200 at the parts store. As for anything else I agree you might want to do your timing belt while your in there since you pull it off anyway. In my personal oppinion though don't do the crank pulley upgrade. I did it on the last GT I did the head gaskets on, and I didn't notice a thing different. Although it looks nice. You will also want to take your heads to a maching shop to have them checked for warping and shaved smooth. I would also recommend replacing your exh bolts though since they are ussually coroded. This job takes professionals 10 hours of work so expect one day for tear down drop your heads off at the machine shop and one day to reassemble. Call around to find out how much it will cost to get it shaved, mine were done both for $50.

Hope this helps.

[Reason]

He has the timing belt in his list. And my opinion is go with the crank pulley. The crank is coming off for the seal. Yea you don't get gobs of power but it did bring my engine alive. Nice reving and if you have a 5 spd it would be more fun to screw around with.

[backpack09]

You don't need new head bolts unless you strip them, as for gaskets go to ebay and buy the kit. They sell for about 79 bucks plus shipping and include all the gaskets you'll need right down to the rubber grommets on the valve cover bolts you can piece th gaskets together but you'll spend about $200 at the parts store. As for anything else I agree you might want to do your timing belt while your in there since you pull it off anyway. In my personal oppinion though don't do the crank pulley upgrade. I did it on the last GT I did the head gaskets on, and I didn't notice a thing different. Although it looks nice. You will also want to take your heads to a maching shop to have them checked for warping and shaved smooth. I would also recommend replacing your exh bolts though since they are ussually coroded. This job takes professionals 10 hours of work so expect one day for tear down drop your heads off at the machine shop and one day to reassemble. Call around to find out how much it will cost to get it shaved, mine were done both for $50.

Hope this helps.

I am also going with the ebay gasket kit, but I am going with Subaru Headgaskets not the ones in the kit.

[2.5GT]

Well I read It be much cheaper if you piece the gaskets together rather than buying the "kit"

As the for the pulley, I think Im going to set that off to another time. Money's going toward the Headgasket for now :eek:

And how much are the head bolts? and how many do I need? Just incase we strip it.

The whole tear down will start March 3, a saturday, sunday, and maybe monday.

[RNandKT]

The kit is cheaper, trust me I have done a couple of them now and done it both ways, and believe it or not I am doing one right now. These cars blow these gaskets quite commonly between 120 and 150 K miles. So when the owner gets the quote of spending 1300-1500 to replace them, they ussually don't have it or want to spend that on a 4-5000 car. SO I like picking them up for 2-3000 and fix em and drive for a while before flipping them. I am probably going to keep this one though, because it only has 120K miles and it has leather and the 5 speed and is in really nce shape. Anyway if you piece them together you need both head gaskets intake and exh at a bare min, and I would recommend the gaskets for the valve covers as well since they get dry and will cause oil leaks. And I called everywhere the first time and only replaced these pieced together it still cost me about 150. Plus I had to wait for the head gaskets to arrive in anyway since the cheaper places didn't carry them. The kit I bought off ebay is the same brand that Checker was selling for 231 and I had it shipped to my door for 92 bucks. As far as head bolts go, these are very hard bolts at least grade 8's I'd say and theres little chance you will have an issue. I would only buy them if and when you ruin one. This is all just from my experience though, you are welcome to do it how you like. If you want I could send you pictures of the gasket set.

[Legacygt_97]

Me and ooberdoob just wrapped up mine last weekend. I used ALL OEM parts. This is not a job you want to do twice. The headbolts are fine to re-useas long as the threads are clean. Make sure to use the proper torque sequence. Be careful when removing the cams from the heads too, the exhaust lifters will want to slide out. If you need any info, just PM me. Everythings still fresh in the brain and the car is running great. Just put about 500 daily driving miles on it since last weekend and another 550 roadtrip miles cruising up to NH for the weekend.

[2.5GT]

I called Subaru dealership today about the Headgasket kit, They told me they didn't have it. So my only option is to piece all the parts together, probably around $200-400, All OEM.

And as for the torque sequence, could you point it out for me? I think I know what they are. I got on All-Data and found out, but Im not too sure if I want to trust it or not.

Thanks.

[d1giPhux]

I called Subaru dealership today about the Headgasket kit, They told me they didn't have it. So my only option is to piece all the parts together, probably around $200-400, All OEM.

And as for the torque sequence, could you point it out for me? I think I know what they are. I got on All-Data and found out, but Im not too sure if I want to trust it or not.

Thanks.

There are a few people on this site that can prolly get you a better price becaue they work at a subaru dealership.. id hit them up before droppping that much cash for seals. Either that.. or ebay.

[Reason]

Search, and you shall find it....

Overhaul gasket set, all models - 2.5l, 1996-98 - 2.5L $183.37

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe_parts_cat.html

[Reason]

Or this site, they have cheaper prices...

Overhaul gasket set, all models - 2.5l, 1996-98 - $178.86


http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ ... atalogid=1 (http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getLocator&siteid=214365&chapter=APL732&appSectionid=10&groupid=61210&make=32&model=Legacy&year=1998&catalogid=1)

[Legacygt_97]

I called Subaru dealership today about the Headgasket kit, They told me they didn't have it. So my only option is to piece all the parts together, probably around $200-400, All OEM.

And as for the torque sequence, could you point it out for me? I think I know what they are. I got on All-Data and found out, but Im not too sure if I want to trust it or not.

Thanks.

Ooberdoob has the factory service manual in PDF. The AllData sequesnce matches the factory instructions. Just make sure you have a good torque wrench, the threads are clean, and the threads and heads of the head bolts are well oiled.

[2.5GT]

I placed an order of all the parts already. And this is going down this weekend, a 2 day period to start and finish the car :eek:

Wish me luck, and thanks for the info you guys :wink:

[2.5GT]

Finish the engine today 3/04

Runs great but its throwing a check engine light :-?

Im going to check it sometimes next week. Here's some phone pics :eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/DSC00123-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/DSC00122-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/DSC00121-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/DSC00126.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/DSC00125.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/4A-FE/DSC00124-1.jpg

[backpack09]

Are those hydraulic lifters? Mine were flat solid lifters when I opened it up this weekend.

[2.5GT]

I believe so ... :-?

And Mobil 1 does a good job cleaning the inside :eek:

[d1giPhux]

damn, i wish i had a lift and stuff to pull my car apart.. dammit!

[backpack09]

How did you scrape the remains of the HG off the head and block? did you get your heads cleaned at a machine shop?

[backpack09]

Anyone?

[2.5GT]

How did you scrape the remains of the HG off the head and block? did you get your heads cleaned at a machine shop?

Actually It came off pretty clean. I believe the head gasket job has been done before i bought the car. I did do some scraping to get some pieces off. other than that, no machine shop. And the heads wasn't warp so thats a good thing.

btw, Mobil 1 ftw :eek:

[backpack09]

Are those hydraulic lifters? Mine were flat solid lifters when I opened it up this weekend.

After finishing up my drivers side HG job, the 2.5 does not have Hydraulic lifters/HLAs. They are strictly mechanicle with shims.

[2.5GT]

Are those hydraulic lifters? Mine were flat solid lifters when I opened it up this weekend.

After finishing up my drivers side HG job, the 2.5 does not have Hydraulic lifters/HLAs. They are strictly mechanicle with shims.

Just one side? you drop the engine?

[backpack09]

One at a time. I pulled the motor. I have spare vehicles, so I am not rushing it. I am also replacing as many rubber pieces as I can with the motor out.

BTW do you remember the torque spec you used for the cam cap bolts?

[2.5GT]

I dont remember, But i can look it up for you at school, i have access to all-data. so if you're in no rush, tell me what info you want and ill get it by monday for ya.

its a 2.5l right?