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You get heat in the cabin on warmup or is it delayed or just cold? Bubbles gurgling in the dash? Exhaust gas testing is unreliable for head gasket issues.

For what its worth, 205/55R16 fits my 96 outback wagon. 225/55R17 tire does not fit on rear, rubbing strut. 225/60R16 also does not fit either the front or the rear.

crank seal doesn't require engine removal. just follow steps for timing belt change. while you're down there consider pulleys, water pump, belt, etc. dealer only seals, japanese pulleys, aisen water pump, and mitsuboshi belt. good tbelt kits on ebay.

spec for 2007 subie is 142-171 psi, engine warm, fully open throttle. ymmv. I usually check engine cold, just prefer not wrenching on hot engine.

try this site for factory specs. the numbers I gave you are typical, from legacy outback 2.5 4 cyl 2007-8. my lowest reading is 165, I read at peak after 5-6 cranks. https://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.php?18087-Subaru-Factory-Service-Manuals-(FSM)-Every-Model-USDM-EU

120 on all cylinders? Downright unusual to have bad rings on all cylinders and no oil consumption. Most if not all subaru's of this vintage will consume 'some' oil. Something is strange. Buyer beware. cylinder compression should be 180-210. Probably oil in the spark plug tube from bad plug seals, easy fix with dealer parts. Anemic performance is consistent with low compression. Blowby isn't a precision thing. Can have blowby and still good cylinder compression.

Well the subie is finally running and NOT stalling What fixed the stalling? Not sure but possibly something in the throttle body. I did a JDM engine swap, long block only. Kept the original intake. Still stalling in hot weather. Put the JDM intake on it with the original injectors and new oem seals, and changed/swapped some other bits that were incompatible (fuel rail, intake harness, coolant crossover pipe temp tensor, passenger side AVLS solenoid assembly, airbox hose to the block next to the pcv, plus longer brake booster vacuum hose to get to the right hand drive fitting on the intake). jeepers, this is why everyone keeps their intake. No stalling. Its been about 3 weeks of driving, city/highway in 88+ degree weather. Unless the mech at subaru changed them, the only two unswapped parts are the throttle body and the EGR. Everything else on the intake was swapped at some point. I'm cautiously optimistic. And maybe the original long block is probably fine as a spare if the rear main seal and head gasket(s) are redone.

my 96 obs 2.2 has a four wire oxygen sensor that plugs into the exhaust below, the white connector tees into the harness on the passenger side behind the engine just like your picture

If you have the space, a 20 ton press from harbor freight is handy for older wheel bearings, I've done a few. There's a used KD hub tamer on Ebay, might be missing the two-jaw puller, same set also on CL for over a month, but I've not used one before.

What happened after you pulled the ABS fuse? Maybe the ABS pump relay is stuck closed, and/or the motor is dragging the system voltage down. What voltages are you getting when the pump is running? My 96 impreza had a continuously running ABS pump even with the ignition key off, and pulling the fuse fixed it, just no ABS system now.

Yep. I've started using subie OEM axles for my daughter's 07 OBW, worth the peace of mind. Hate spending $340+ for a single axle but my rebuilder is having reliability issues and I refuse to use aftermarket. Like has already been said, used OEM axles and rebooting kits from rock auto way cheaper, and messier. I've had good luck with removing the axle and rebooting. Never tried the split boots. I like to keep a couple of used OEM spares on hand for my daily driver.

Installed an 02 H6 four years ago, had issues with engine harness that were solved with using bits of the stock harness. No engine issues since then after 60k miles. Didn't touch the JDM head gaskets. Alt failed a few months ago but just normal wear. Swapped the stock intake over to the donor. There's a writeup on here somewhere for the whole job. I also have an 07 H4 JDM on a pallet waiting for me to put it in...I'll probably write that one up too. The only issues I've had with JDM engines is finding supply, and shipping damage, stock is low. Unwrap the engine completely and put some eyeballs on it before signing the delivery paperwork or that shiny creampuff is yours, damage and all.

Up and running with the DB alt. Windings of the reman alt look blackened. So wondering if a winding shorted out since it was charging for a few minutes.

Yes, DB is in Kingsport. I supported my local parts garden and scored an H6 alt. While the H6 and 2.5L alts both have a 3 pin connector, it appears that only the H6 uses all 3 wires in the harness. I noted that a 2006 Forester 2.5L 3-pin green alt connector only has two with populated pins on the harness pigtail. That being said, I wonder if the H6 alt could serve as a spare for a 2.5L model? Parts store says they will take the reman alt back.

Ok. I had heard about H6 alt needing ECU input so thx for confirming. This alt is already aftermarket so must have gotten lucky in the past. Local yards are pretty picked over but might try my luck again. This was a sunday night save the day job or so I thought. https://www.maniacelectricmotors.com seems to sell rebuild kits. Haven't been able to get enough heat to disassemble the electrics. Local alt rebuilder hasn't updated FB page in 5 years and phone is disconnected If anyone knows a rebuilder in Nashville lmk. https://www.dbelectrical.com ships overnight. looks like my best option for the H6.