Top Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Yesterday was the first that I heard of this site and posted here; thanks for the replies on my "Random Overheating 98 Forester" question. There's plenty of info and encouragement here to make me want to do the job myself. I talked to my Soob dealer today and they suggested that I use new head bolts. Do most of you reuse your head bolts? Thanks for all the help so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Posted February 7, 2006 Author Share Posted February 7, 2006 Hey, is it possible to do an in-frame head gasket replacement? I realize that you couldn't replace the main seals or the oil separator plate or check the clutch out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPX Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Hey, is it possible to do an in-frame head gasket replacement? I realize that you couldn't replace the main seals or the oil separator plate or check the clutch out. It is way too much trouble to leave the engine in the car if you have an option to pull it out. Lots of advice and opinions at this link that lead up to my decision to pull the motor out. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=889819 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bard Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I'd suggest a quick "reuse head bolt" search... there's been a couple threads on the subject, with both aye's and nay's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a97obw Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Well, after spending about $800 in parts to do the head gaskets, water pump, clutch etc. on my 97 Legacy Outback, my vendor was cool enough to send me the head gasket removal/repair section of the factory Subaru manual, and as far as replacing the head bolts themselves, there was absolutely no mention of that, only that you should apply a bit of motor oil to the threads and the head bolt washers. I should think that if this were a critical issue, Subaru would have mentioned it with a "Warning" or the such. The head bolts themselves are pretty heavy duty. The bolts that I WOULD replace are the ones that hold the camshaft bearing caps at the front of the engine, being the aluminum caps that hold the cam seals. This after I sheared the bolt attempting to reach 14.5 ft. lbs. of torque which is the factory number---there is no torque value that I could find in the Haynes manual. Anyway, there will be 8 of those for the 4 cam engine. The one other thing I wish I had done in torqueing the heads was to use an engine stand. Reason being that in the process of loosening the bolts 180 degrees, then another 180 degrees, the new head gasket and cylinder head is completely loose from the block. Hence I think that had I put the engine in an engine stand with the cylinder head upright, there would be less of a chance of the gasket moving during that part of the procedure due to the weight of the head itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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