2.5 Subaru Head Gaskets

[Jeff]

I know we have lots of Subaru around here. Anyone ever done head gaskets on a 2.5? I am getting ready to do a set this weekend and I wanted to know if there are any special tools or tricks?

[CaptainHenreh]

I know we have lots of Subaru around here. Anyone ever done head gaskets on a 2.5? I am getting ready to do a set this weekend and I wanted to know if there are any special tools or tricks?

It's tedious, but nothing "tricky". Undo the motor mounts so you can shift the engine from side to side. It's straightforward, though, no real surprises.

[CaptainHenreh]

OH AND FOR THE LOVE OF FUCK USE AN STI METAL HEADGASKET

[Jeff]

I suspected it was pretty straight forward. I already have a head set from the zone. This is a "git r done" on a friend's 160k Outback.

[CaptainHenreh]

I already have a head set from the zone.

No, goddammit no. I said STI gaskets and I wasn't fucking with you. Go buy them. Do it right or don't do it.

[ScottyB]

use the turbo MLS gaskets or you'll see that car again in 50k miles give or take. use subaru "coolant conditioner" if you use the autozone gaskets. its basically rebranded Bars Stop-Leak and you'll need it. just grab a bottle at the dealer.

yank the engine if you have time. on subarus its supposedly very, very easy and gives you much easier access than trying to dick with those sideways heads in the engine bay.

consider spraying the gaskets with a light coat of copper gasket paint, might help them seal better.

subaru makes a fuss about using their coolant but as far as i know Peak Global Lifetime (gold bottle) is essentially the same stuff.

[Jeff]

Where do I buy STI head gaskets, Would the zone have them you think?

[ScottyB]

possibly...got mine at the stealership, and trust me subaru dealers stock plenty of head gaskets

[Jeff]

So I should select 2.0L turbo for the parts? Would all the rest of the head set be the same?

[ScottyB]

2.0 turbo is EJ205 and I believe the bore is smaller, so avoid.

you want the 2.5 turbo, i.e EJ257 found in the STi. there is also an EJ255 for the WRX/Baja/Forester turbos but i think 257 is the best fit.

the N/A engine codes you want to avoid are EJ25D, EJ251, EJ253, and/or anything that goes to a non-turbo model prior to 2004.

[Jeff]

This being autozone/advance I need an application. If I go to say a 2003 impreza "Turbo" it says 2.0

[ScottyB]

sorry here's the last 3 numbers in the PN you need to look for:

i am ASSuming this is a SOHC vehicle? what year is it?

Phase 1 dohc is -610, which is a thicker MLS gasket
Phase 2 sohc to somewhere around 08-09 should use -642, which is the 04-06 turbo gasket. So that includes the 251 and 253 I think.
09 ish and up already have the -770 MLS gasket in them, which is the same thickness as 642 but has different cooling passages.

[.RJ]

Pull the motor. You'll spend less time than dicking around with the thing in the car. The trans bolts are easy to access.

[Jeff]

Scotty, this is a 2001 Subaru Outback.

[ScottyB]

OK its a SOHC, use the gaskets 11044AA642

[JustinG]

burn it with fire

[Jeff]

It went off without a hitch. As you guys said they are actually really easy to work on. We ended up doing a full head set, water pump, timing belt, front and rear crank seals, oil pan gasket as well as front CV shafts and brakes. I sold they guy the car with 120k on it for like $1800, it has 160k on it now in less than a year and still going strong. Not bad considering he takes it offroad all the time to check his cows, I mean seriously off road too. Felt good to have a motor all apart, I haven't done that in awhile that it needed to go back together and work when I was done.

[ScottyB]

you done good, boy. that's a solid service...his beater will leak less than my "pampered" suby with 40k less miles!