morceau Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I have an 87 gl wagon, but it needs a new head gasket. Is this something that I can repair myself, or should I leave it to a professional? If it is something I can do myself, are there guides that anyone can recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phizinza Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 It's easy, if you understand the basics about engines. What kind of work have to done on a Subaru (or any car for that matter) ? Heres whats normally required Take the air box off. Un-bolt the manifold (get new gaskets for that) just un-bolt it, don't pull it away. Un-bolt the alternator, and AC. take the rocker covers off. Remove the T-belt covers and t belts. Remove the cam towers, un-bolt the heads, take them off. clean it all up and put it all back together. I might of missed a few things, but thatskinda a indication of what needs to be done. There might be something in there http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=44 Look at this too http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=62674&highlight=head+gasket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 yes you can do it yourself. the non turbo motors are actually very easy to do as far as head gaskets go. but headgaskets aren't simple. it is a rather large job. it is much much easier with air tools. there are a ton of head bolts and they and the head bolt holes in the block need to be cleaned to be done correctly. this happens much quicker with air sockets. cleaning the bolts and holes by hand takes forever. i personally like to have a set of heads ready to go that way i don't have to take my heads to the shop and have them cleaned, milled and a valve job done. i can pull my heads and install the other set right away, no waiting on anyone or anything. the annoying part is often rust - exhaust manifold bolts, timing cover bolts...if they're rusty they can be annoying. down south you may have less issues than us northerners with rust? lots of info on the board here about head gaskets, should be able to find everything you need. if it's your first time your best bet is to spend an hour reading this forum about head gasket replacement. having a manual (FSM is best, haynes/chiltons may help more than they confuse) will help very much. you'll read in other threads people say to pull the engine, that is by no means necessary or even beneficial for doing the head gaskets only. i'm still not sure why someone would want to waste the hours of time pulling and installing an engine (particularly for a first timer) for a job that doesn't take that long anyway. that's a ton of effort for a straight forward job. on an EA82 (not sure what yours is, EA81 or EA82, i know GL hatches were EA81, but don't know about wagons) the only "special" tool you'll need to do them with the motor in the car is a wratcheting 10 mm wrench for the one or two bolts on the drivers side valve cover. you can use a regular wrench, but that's annoying. other than that, no special tools required. EA motors aren't that expensive, another option would be to buy a used one to swap out with yours. then sell yours to recoupe some loot. good luck and have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Is it necessary to have the heads milled at a shop when changing the head gaskets? I'm planning to do mine soon and have had conflicting answers to the above question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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