banshee400

There's also a similar red sealant used on the right front bolt that holds the alternator mount.

This is a yellow or orange colored material.

I'm finishing up the swap on my 99 Forester and noticed that the A/C compressor mount is one of a few differences between the 99 and the 2003. When we took the mount off to swap it over one of the bolts appears to have some sort of a sealant on it. It's only on this one bolt. Does anyone know what if any sealant I would need to apply to the bolt? Thanks! Oh, if anyone is intersted a few of the other diffences between the 99 an the 2003 2.5L are the intake manifold, PCV connection on the block, and the knock sensor. I'll post the complete list when I'm finished.

Background, I'm swapping my 99 forester engine for a 2003. We were unable to get one of the exhaust manifold bolts on my 99 forester off. But were successfull at stripping it so we couldn't remove it. We've tried using a torch to cut it but it won't cut. We've also tried a grinder but our compressor isn't big enough to allow us to cut on it for any length of time. Anyone know of something we haven't thought of? My thought is to leave it and work on it when it's out of the car.

Figured it out. Took the wheel off and knocked the drum loose. Rolled without any problems. An update on my swap. So far so good. I've got everything disconnected from the original engine except for the exhaust and transmission. Hope to have it pulled tonight.

Any thoughts on what would be causing the passenger side rear wheel on my 99 Forester to seize? I'm finally trying to put the new engine in it but it's been sitting outside for a couple of months now. Could it have rusted that badly or has the parking brake seized inside the drum? Thanks!

Well I bought it. I may be begging for help in a couple weeks when I make the swap. I'll post the results when it's all done and I'll try and take some pics of any major issues.

How easy would it be to swap out the engine in a 99 Forester for a 2003 Forester engine? Both are 2.5L SOHC. Thanks again!

Does anyone know what engines are compatible with a 99 Forester? Specifically, if a 2001 Legacy 2.5L SOHC would work? Thanks!

What I was told is that the 2.2 won't bolt up exactly onto the 99. It will on the 98, but not the 99.

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies and good advice. I talked to CCR today and they had a lot of good information. They recommended against putting the 2.2L in a 99 Forester. They said it could be done, but would require a lot to make it work. It would probably be above my skill level anyway. Given that I'm a windows admin by trade and a mechanic by neccessity. I'd still like to go with an engine from CCR but I'm not sure I'm goind to be able to swing the cash any time soon. Does anyone know of a good Subaru mechanic in the Kansas City, MO or Topeka, KS area? Or where else to look for 2.5L engines. I can't find any cheap. Even the used ones at salvage yards are only $500 cheaper than the CCR rebuild. Thanks again for all the advice. This is an awesome board.

It has 96,xxx miles on it, manual transmission, and the clutch is close to needing to be replaced. I was planning on making that part of my swap.

It only has 96,XXX miles on it. It's been great up until I killed it. No, the headgaskets haven't been replaced.

My 99 Forester developed a sudden, loud and horrible sounding, clicking noise at the end of a roughly 80 mile drive. The noise would get loud and sound worse for a few seconds then sound better and then get bad again. This was also accompanied by smoke coming out from the exhaust. When we stopped at the toll booth the oil light came on and when I was able to pull over to a service station and get some oil it took three quarts. We left it at the local Subaru dealer and the service manager listened to it and, if I can remember correctly, diagnosed it as a bad piston bearing. Bottom line, he said the engine needed to be replaced. I wanted to get your opinion on two things. One, is that an accurate diagnosis? Two, since I can't find a 2.5L SOHC under $2500, how would I go about swapping my 2.5L for a 2.2L? I'd appreciate any help you can give. I will also willingly accept all due abuse for not stopping as soon as I heard the noise. Thanks!