SUBARU3 Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Ok....which of these 4 head gaskets are the best. NOS subaru Felpro. (Seems the heaviest and most solid) Aftermarket, with one side covered in steel. Aftermarket, kinda like NOS. Also, the bolts in the block have an 2 "Alignment dowels" surrounding 2 bolts, the gaskets don't fit over the dowels. Are the dowels needed? Can I just enlarge the bolthole in the gasket, so it fits over the dowel? The dowels or sleeves are about 1/2 inch long and can be removed easily. Thanks!!!!!!!! Todd PICS of the gaskets http://m2.aol.com/vintagesubaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torxxx Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 Also, the bolts in the block have an 2 "Alignment dowels" surrounding 2 bolts, the gaskets don't fit over the dowels. Are the dowels needed? Can I just enlarge the bolthole in the gasket, so it fits over the dowel? The dowels or sleeves are about 1/2 inch long and can be removed easily. I've never had a 1600 apart down that far, but I know a EA82 has those "dowels", and they are just to make sure the heads go on straight. I think you'd be ablet to take an exacto knife and make the holes slightly bigger to make them fit. Anyone else with me on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canajun2eh Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 I've never had a 1600 apart down that far, but I know a EA82 has those "dowels", and they are just to make sure the heads go on straight. I think you'd be ablet to take an exacto knife and make the holes slightly bigger to make them fit. Anyone else with me on this? I agree. If you remove the dowels, you'll be relying on the head bolts to align the gasket and the head with the block. I think there's too much clearance in the head bolt holes to provide the required accuracy. Better to enlarge the dowel holes in the gasket or to make new ones if they're missing. If they're missing, are you sure the gaskets are facing the right way? Again, you need to be precise in the amount of enlargement. Use a drill to enlarge the dowel holes or to make new ones. If you're making new dowel holes, start with a fairly small drill diameter and gradually work up to the correct size. You need to make sure that the new head gaskets fit properly and that none of the material projects into the combustion chamber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJM Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 OE SUBARU. No question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajavwnsoobnut Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 I dunno the Felpro's are now guarrenteeing (sp?) that you don't need to retorque the heads after you put them on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted November 29, 2004 Author Share Posted November 29, 2004 The gaskets will only fit one way. The holes are just a bit too small to fit over the 2 dowels on each side. The NOS Subaru seems the like the flimsy one. I kinda like the one with the steel back, but then again, it may leak sooner. Fel-pro is really heavy and thick. Also, it appears that the 2 of the coolant passage holes have been covered up with the Subaru gasket and 2 of the aftermarket. It is the passage closest to the front and rear of the engine. Was this a change? Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted November 29, 2004 Share Posted November 29, 2004 I would go with the factory gaskets just like WJM said. Maybe it's just me, but recently I've been hearing about more failures with aftermarket gaskets than factory ones. One thing that I've been told may be tied to this is that the subaru gaskets have a special coating (if that's the word for it) that bonds to the mating surfaces after it heats up once or twice, whereas most of the aftermarket ones don't. If you do use a gasket with any sort of metal face, coat it with one of those special HG sealants or it will leak (that happened to me this summer and sucked a lot). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted November 29, 2004 Author Share Posted November 29, 2004 I guess I will eliminate the metal faced one then. The "NOS" one and the other , non Felpro are very similar. Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 Any more input? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 I'd use OEM Subaru then Felpro; in that order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 I guess it's OEM! Thanks all...Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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