Removing Heads from Impreza w/o engine pull?

[s'ko]

Is it possible to remove the heads w/o having to pull the engine?

Thanks

BW

[idosubaru]

All Impreza models don't have the same engine. All years of Imprezas don't offer the same motor - so the usual vehicle/year would help.

 

I'm assuming it's an EJ22. Those are easily done in the car.

 

EJ25's - particularly the DOHC are particularly annoying and not straight forward, they require some trickery. So if it's an appropriate year Impreza RS it won't be nearly as straight forward.

[Qman]

 

Is it possible to remove the heads w/o having to pull the engine?

 

Thanks

 

BW

Yes, it is possible. However, I would not do it myself. The time bent over the fender versus working on an engine stand and not having a sore back far out-weigh the time to take out the engine.

[MilesFox]

^^^^ agreed. the time it takes to pull the engine will save you time overall, especially if you are going to take care of other engine seals and the like.

[GeneralDisorder]

Yes - EJ's are really easy to pull. You can have one out in less than an hour if you have done them before - maybe a couple hours if you are new to them.

 

However - if you don't have easy access to a cherry picker and such, the heads will come off with the engine in the car. It does put a lot of strain on your back and as the other's here sugest it's much less work than you think to remove the engine. It also makes it a lot easier to service everything.

 

I prefer to pull the engine, plug all ports and openeings, steam clean it, put it on the engine stand and do all seals, gaskets, etc before putting it back in. Things like the rear main, oil pan, and the knock sensor are much easier to get to with the engine out of the car so in the end it doesn't actually take any longer since the work is easier and goes faster with it out.

 

Most rental places will rent you an engine hoist for a very reasonable daily fee. Like $15 or $20 a day. It's worth it if you have a place that you can use one and a way to haul it. And if you don't have that ability, you and a friend can pull the engine with a 4x4 and some chain. The whole engine assembly only weighs about 175 to 200 lbs. No problem for a couple guys and some structural lumber. Set the engine on an old tire and go to work. Many a succesful engine reseal/HG job has been done this way - you don't need expensive tools it just makes the job easier and faster.

 

GD

[EVOthis]

As mentioned...Any DOHC..its much easier to pull the engine...SOHC..cake in the car....

[markjw]

If it's a SOHC,and you do it in the car,I'd advise having someone there to help you Install the heads.

 

I recently installed the heads on my '91 Legacy Wagon,and the lower head bolts need to be in place,in the head,before you lower the head down in between the block and the frame rail. Otherwise,there is No room to inset the head bolts.

 

So,when you do the install,the head bolts want to run forward preventing you from getting the head in place.The threaded end of the bolts end up in the cyl. and generally getting in the way risking the integrity of the job.

 

You need someone there to manage them bolts while you do the grunt work.

 

Trust me on this.

[s'ko]

sorry for not posting that it's an EJ22.

 

shortblock is newly rebuilt.

 

t-belt skipped on the phase 2 heads and killed the driver side valve train.

 

BW

[ShawnW]

For one head on a recently serviced engine I might consider it but otherwise I pull the engine. I have become quite quick at pulling them thanks to this practice.

[eppoh]

sorry for not posting that it's an EJ22.

 

shortblock is newly rebuilt.

 

t-belt skipped on the phase 2 heads and killed the driver side valve train.

 

BW

 

 

Just curios, let us know how the pistons looked. I am in the middle of a similar job on a 2000 Impreza 2.2, but have not got the heads off yet. All the intake valves are bent up- I can see them through the intake ports.