headgasket choices...

[babyfacefitz]

Got a OBW 98 with 220K and my blow pass bubbles are showing up. My temperature has not spiked and have been nursing it since the bubbles showed up last week.

 

 

Should I get new gaskets put on with a buddy for the cost of @$300 or get a local motor for around $600 with less than 100K on it and put it in?

 

I am also considering put'n in the replacement tranny. My tranny used to torque bind but with many flushes and the lucas oil treatment and most of the time I used the 4wd fuse trick.

 

What do you think guys, new parts or a younger engine (which I will probably replace the head gaskets while it's out).

[davebugs]

Toss up.

 

But other than HG's and reseals these engines seem to run forever.

 

The new one should have HG's done as you state.

 

I'd me more likely to stick with the engine that I already knew.

 

For all you know the younger one has rod knock or something.

 

Most here (includig me) recomment Subaru only HG's. No need to get better at this job by doing it twice.

[markjw]

Fix the engine you have.Don't be lured into thinking different is better. It is not. Your original engine,repaired properly,and maintained afterwards,is Way better.

[subaru360]

I'd go with a EJ22 swap and be done with it.

[davebugs]

I'd go with a EJ22 swap and be done with it.

 

That's cheating.

 

That wasn't one of the proposed options....

[idosubaru]

a used EJ25 is a joke in my opinion but everyone is different. too many piston slap, head gasket, and lower end failures.

 

if you only need 50,000 miles then a minimal repair on this one will probably work. headgasket, timing belt components. if you do repair it, make sure you use a Subaru only headgasket.

 

if you want 100,000+ miles out of it (which is probably what i'd aim for if doing an engine swap) you could still shoot for repair too, it's not impossible, but i'd start leaning towards an EJ22 or EJ18 swap myself as well. though i think i'm the only goofball to go for an EJ18 swap.

 

you can probably get $200-$400 for your EJ25 by the way, which would probably pay for an EJ22 or EJ18.

 

EJ22 = cheaper and more reliable, it's kind of hard to beat that. and it's plug and play, bolts right up.

[johnceggleston]

if it hasn't overheated and the price quoted is good, i'd probably repair what you have. buying a used ej25 even if it is in the outback and you get the whole thing for 500$ is a crap shoot. regardless of what the seller says, you do not know what damage may have occurred because of the bad HGs and / or overheating. so if you replace go with a ej22, if you don't, put SUBARU head gaskets on what you have.

[MilesFox]

do the heqd gaskets and be done. replacing the head gaskets is a permanent fix.

 

going with a used motor is asking for a head gasket job later, unless it has already been done.

 

if everyone tells you to get an ej22 or ej18, then get a different car that comes with it.

 

i dont know why everyone is down on doing HG

[idosubaru]

i dont know why everyone is down on doing HG

no one is down on headgaskets, most of us frequently recommend that. options are good though.

 

i'm not saying this is what *should* be done, only an option. i personally wouldn't do that big of a job on an interference engine without doing the timing belts and pulleys, all of which are likely to be questionable at the distance to the moon kind of mileage. my time is extremely valuable personally and financially, so a head gasket job only isn't a good fit for me. if i spend that much time i want a really good chance at another 100,000 miles out of an engine.

 

personal preference, everyone is different and has different valuation of time and wrenching, so options are good to let folks decide themselves.

[davebugs]

As GG basically says.

 

No matter which engine choice both 2.5's should have HG's, resealed, Idlers, WP, probably tensioner, and belts, spark plugs, etc while it's all out.

 

A 2.2 same thing minus the HG's.

 

No matter how "tight" you are having the engine out and not resealing it and hanging a new timing belt just isn't prudent from a $ or time perspective.

 

I see the idlers as the same thing. Use an Ebay kit. Better than not replacing them and much more reasonable than dealer or most parts houses.

 

So it's significant work anyway you look at it.

 

Personally fix the 2.5 that you know or 2.2 it. I really, really shy away from JY 2.5's.

[babyfacefitz]

Thanks for the responses. What years in the 2.2 are good? I loved the better mpg I got with my earlier 2.5.

 

We plan to hit the timing belt and other issues. thanks for the list.

 

ebay kits are new to me.

 

Michael fitz