richieh

going to do the head gaskets on the wifes scoob soon
is it easier to pull out engine/engine+box or do it in situ
do the cams have to come out first to get at the headbolts?
are aftermarket gaskets ok or dealer only best
cheers for any help
richie

john banks

I would use Subaru gaskets. My heads would not come off without removing the engine because of the studs, but they had been tightened in situ by removing the cams.

richieh

thanks john
running bolts so i hope i can do it in situ save hiring an engine hoist
getting too old to stand on suspension turrets with a strap round me and the engine
and lifting
well perhaps not too old but takes too long to recover these days (creaking wreck at 35)
richie

richieh

forgot to add
can u get uprated gaskets from subaru or is boggo standard best
richie

john banks

If a late model engine the standard gasket will be triple laminated steel.

If running an earlier engine the OEM gaskets may be composite, it may be worth trying to get a steel gasket of the same thickness that will fit.

I don't know specifics though of thicknesses for each year etc.

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Richie, It's a miserable job to do head gaskets in situ it costs several knuckles is inaccurate, messy and back breaking.

By the time you've got the heads in a position to remove there are only about another 6 maybe 8 bolts holding it all in. Why grovel?

Laminated steel gaskets are fine in anything, but come in two thicknesses and you need to make sure that you have the same thickness - give or take a small amount - on the new ones. The thicker [ same thickness as composite ] steel ones are from STi Version 3 and 4 and can be quite expensive - depending upon where you source them from, because they are JDM only and are not available from a UK dealer.

Take it out - you know it makes sense.

David API Engines

PS just re-read above, we have ALL gaskets in stock.

scoobyslut

i didnt think you could get the head bolts out with the engine in place. Call me daft, but arn't these bolts a little bit too long to pull out past the chassis rails?, Plus yes you do have to remove all the cam gear first to get access to all the head bolts.

Lift it all out matey, sit it on a bench and you can play to your hearts content without so much as a back twinge!
Theres only the engine mounts, bell housing and exhaust bolts holding it as you have already drained the water off.

David_Wallis

im 99% sure the head bolts will *just* come out in situ.. cant remember whether I altered the engine angle with a jack or just had the mounts slackened and shoved it over..

200 times easier on a stand though..

David

Gidney&Knowlesy

Engine out....as David from API mentioned damaged knuckles are no fun....

richieh

out she comes then
any real bitch points to watch for ?
while i'm there wheres the best place for clutches
or do u do them as well david
richie

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Clutches too; from cheap to not so cheap - BUT ALL SUCH GOOD VALUE !!

David API

Dyney

FWIW The heads will come out with the engine in situ. The head bolts will withdraw from the block but stay in the head till you have it out.

Easier to drop the heads out from underneath


But if I was doing it again and wasn't rushing t get back on the road I'd defo pull the engine!!! Would be Soooooo much easier