96 legacy wagon?

[96-LEGACY-L]

first off im new to the subie world, and this forum. I have a 96 legacy L wagon with 260k miles. the car was purchased with 243k miles from an auction. so i have no clue of the maintance records, how often oil was changed, driving style etc. it has oil leaks on bolth valve covers to the point where there is oil on the timing belt cover. i have to add oil often. i have a chance to have my1/4 million mile ej22 single exhaust ports swapped out for a 145k mile ej22 motor dual ports. the motor and complete job done for $750. does this seem like a far deal with 1 year warrenty? would i feel any power gains with dual exhaust ports over single exhaust ports? I know these are noob question. what can i say im a noobie with a subie

[idosubaru]

you won't notice any "power gains". if there was that much power sitting in the exhaust ports Subaru would have used it to sell more cars. if you look them up the 1995 EJ22 is rated at 135 hp and the 1996 EJ22 is rated at 135 hp.

 

the price is not bad for the work, but it's just all backwards and not right. "hey i need new spark plugs, let's get a used engine"?? just doesn't make sense if the engine is running fine.

 

first - the "newer" lower mileage engine is more than likely going to have oil leaking issues as well. just the nature of 15+ year old seals and gaskets.

 

but it doesn't really matter, oil leaks are really easy to fix, i'd just go ahead and fix them and save yourself some cash.

 

both of these motors need a timing belt job. timing belt needs replaced. and with that off you have easy access to crank seal, cam seals, and cam orings, reseal the oil pump, all of which leak all the time on older subaru's.

 

and you can replace the valve covers as well, also easy to replace.

 

personally i'd say just reseal the motor and call it a day because the new motor is going to need the same exact maintenance - timing belt, seals, etc.

Edited August 7, 2009 by grossgary

[96-LEGACY-L]

I never said anything about changing my spark plugs. the engine has high miles so i thought get one with lower miles. have the clutch done while the swap, the timing belt and water pump too. now that you brought up those seals that are prone to oil leakage i would have those done aswell. i plan on having the car for many years to come so i thought just get it out and have almost half the miles that i have now. how much $ am i looking at for timing belt, valve cover gaskets, crank and cam seals,and sealent for the oil pump? which route should i go for clutch? aftermarket stage two with light weight flywheel for a little more hold, or just replace it with an oem clutch and resuface the flywheel? pros and cons of each would be nice. thanks again.

[idosubaru]

I never said anything about changing my spark plugs. the engine has high miles so i thought get one with lower miles. have the clutch done while the swap, the timing belt and water pump too. now that you brought up those seals that are prone to oil leakage i would have those done aswell. i plan on having the car for many years to come so i thought just get it out and have almost half the miles that i have now. how much $ am i looking at for timing belt, valve cover gaskets, crank and cam seals,and sealent for the oil pump? which route should i go for clutch? aftermarket stage two with light weight flywheel for a little more hold, or just replace it with an oem clutch and resuface the flywheel? pros and cons of each would be nice. thanks again.

 

right on, typically folks arent putting much money into cars this old or mileage but if your down with thatt then good sttuff. tbelt job will run fiv e hundred to a tousand depending on parts and mechanic charges. if you need a c

[96-LEGACY-L]

yeah if it cost that much just for t-belt. then im for sure going to just get a new motor, and have the nessary maintance done while the swap is going on. back to my question in my last post. stage 2 clutch n light weight flywheel for more hold, or oem clutch n resufaced flywheel? which will cost less? which will last longer? experiances with makes n venders for after market clutch kits? thanks for all advice. whats will it cost for t belt, valve cover gaskets, cam seals, cranks seal, and water pump? anyone?

[idosubaru]

whats will it cost for t belt, valve cover gaskets, cam seals, cranks seal, and water pump? anyone?

dealer will be around $800 but you won't be getting new pulleys and tensioner for that price. i've done motor swaps for free before....so it just depends who's doing the work for you. I'd expect $500-$600 total from the average mechanic.

 

$750 for the motor swap, $200 for clutch, $600 for the timing belt and sealing it up - you're getting into more than the car is worth which was the whole premise of the first reply. you'll have a fairly reliable car so it's not a bad idea but i'd make sure you have funds and the willingness to address future issues - typical issues on your car may include trans, synchro's, torque bind (viscous coupler), fuel pump, driveshaft ujoints, wheel bearings, alternator, starter, radiator, a/c, struts, calipers,...the entire car has that mileage on it, not just the motor.

 

clutch life is all dependent on you, no way we can answer that. you can put 200,000 miles on a clutch or burn it up in 30,000 depending how you drive and what kind of driving.

Edited August 8, 2009 by grossgary

[96-LEGACY-L]

you address some very good points i guess i havent though about it that much. i did find a list of all the seals,n belts for just under $300. 1stsubarupart or something like that. i found a 2000 legacy brighton wagon 110k on it. not sure if they did the t-belt n water pump etc. (requird maintance). it iust needs a clutch. they are selling it for 2,500. does that sound like a better route to go? does the brighton have the2.2 or 2.5? thanks again

[idosubaru]

2000 brighton is right around when they changed. cars101.com will tell you.

you're sort of stuck since any used car is going to need timing belt job and even if it has a "new" timing belt, i'd much rather have eveyrthing replaced, not just the belt. many t-belt failures occur because of failed seals or pulleys.

 

2,500 isn't a bad price for a decent 2000 Subaru but it's not a great deal either. depends how the subaru market is around you but it could easily be around for awhile and not sell.

 

you're in a tough spot, it's a tough decision to make no doubt.

 

and you might make choices much differently than me, so pick and choose what you listen to. i like having a Subaru that i don't have to worry about in terms of maintenance. i do the timing belts, seals, water pump on nearly every one i own and get for friends/resale.

 

if you're going to skimp on the timing belt stuff like this, the car you have is a great car because a 1996 is not an inteference engine. if the belt breaks there's no damage. on newer 1997+ models if the belt breaks it will cause internal engine damage because they're interference engines.