wildabeast41 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Hi all, I'm a newbie and have been lurking the past few days...... anyways I just picked up an 89 GL 4x4 5 speed for $600. I basically bought it sight unseen because it's a sweet old subaru and I'm looking for a winter project to work on. This thing leaks a lot of oil and coolant so I figured I would pull the engine and redo the seals and gaskets etc... I am by no means a mechanic but I figured fixing up an old car would be a good way to learn. Then I noticed this hole in what I believe is the cylinder head on the passenger side. It's right next the exhaust pipe connection. Do I need a new head? or is this repairable? I hate to get too involved in something that will end up being junked. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Looks to me like the casting has broken away. There are a few ways to fix that since it appears to be an oil drain passage and would not be under pressure. The first would be to have it TIG welded. That will probably run a $100-$200 depending on the shop. Second would be to JB weld it shut if you have the head off and can clean it up inside and out. Last would be find a used head from someone here or at a PicknPull. Depending on shipping, it may be cheaper than welding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyeights Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I think that's normal. I just checked and those holes are on my heads too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skishop69 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) Great, you made me go out in the rain and look.... Yep, there's a hole there. Scratch everything I said. DOH! Edited October 19, 2016 by skishop69 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darsdoug Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 That's a drain hole in the casting to allow water or other fluids to drain away from the spark plug concave's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Those drain holes are way up on the front and rear sides of the heads. The funny looking ones near the exhaust ports are just weird casting artifacts as far as I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darsdoug Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Those drain holes are way up on the front and rear sides of the heads. The funny looking ones near the exhaust ports are just weird casting artifacts as far as I know. oops, I never did dump a little water on the head to make sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l75eya Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Normal holes. I have the same thing on my gl and freaked when I saw them. Everybody here said they're normal. Checked my other ea82 and it has them as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildabeast41 Posted October 19, 2016 Author Share Posted October 19, 2016 Well that is great news. thanks everyone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted October 21, 2016 Share Posted October 21, 2016 (edited) This is view of where that hole leads to. Edited October 21, 2016 by TomRhere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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