Leaderboard

At least you have good hearing. I would have never heard it. haha. The valve are bent, unless you're really lucky. It's worth a try, because if you are lucky there's no damage at all. But more than likely it's bent. Cheapest option is two used heads, new subaru belt and pulleys. Aftermarket belts have higher failure rates. The pulleys cause the belt to fail too, it's asinine not to replace them. Particularly at high mileages.

I have had 2 timing belts break. a 98 DOHC Forester we bought for our daughter in college. On way from sale from owner, engine died. Got home and disassembled. Yeah broken belt. I did plan to take it apart for head gaskets, but this had me send them out for resurfacing and 6 valves. All on drivers side head. After that repair, she then had that for 6 more trouble free years. Also MY04 Forester, Going on interstate, engine just died. No loud sounds, dashboard just kit up. I had just replaced the timing belt about 20K earlier with about 130K on odometer. Had it towed home ( yes AAA and was 110 miles from home, slight charge ). similar to 98 .... 4 bent valves, all on drivers side again. Reason I THINK for failure, 5 speed has 'keeper' above crank sprocket, and I DO know SOMEONE made the clearance a little too tight thinking it would prevent it from jumping BETTER is car was pushed backward in gear. TOUGH LESSON TO LEARN. In any case, sent out heads for resurfacing and valve replacement. After rebuild I drove until 260K and then sold it. My $.02 and experiences. If it's a good car, and worth the $$$ to invest, I would. If not, look for a replacement and find someone mechanical to sell this to.

Even just a compression test Definitely throw a belt on it and see. But I bet there's a dead hole or 2.