RMVR53

I have had an overheating problem for some time that continued to get worse. I finally pulled the heads last weekend and tonight finally got around to looking them over as the HG's didn't "look" bad at teardown. On one head I noticed about an inch long light grey "line" (yeah I have that feeling it ain't a line) in one of the exhaust ports. I had not noticed the smell of antifreeze nor white exhaust prior to the teardown, but it couldn't go 10 miles without topping the rad either (with 1-2 gallons of water/antifreeze). So guys, think its a crack and the head is toast? On a related subject, I have a "spare" head that was given to me by a guy gettin rid of a bunch of Subi parts that I'll use if the concencus is the current head is bad. This head looks like its been flycut but other than that looks pretty good. Is there a way to tell if its been cut?...is there a way to tell how much its been cut if it has been? On an OHC motor, is the tensioner able to take up the slack from a flycut? Any problem (other than too much compression) if its been cut too far? thanks Bill

went through a friend's shop and he got it from Burt Sub on Arapahoe I think Bill

ok my bad... Heads are EA82 and not in a box...Case stamping EA82 is in a box... dealer "head kit" has: factory head gaskets, 4 intake gaskets, 2 cam cover gaskets and cam cover seals/plugs (around bolts)..pretty much everything you move, remove or can damage during teardown. There is a small package of misc small o rings and washers...not sure what the o rings are for as I didn't notice anything coming out...wouldn't be valve seals would it? Bill

well...I don't rightly know whats in the kit yet as I haven't opened it. I asked for a head set (if it were English thats what you ask for) to do head gaskets out so I'm assuming (hoping) its all there...guess I'd better check. Bill

Dealer cost on the HG was $66 ... total kit was $82...which I made a joke with the guy that if it was an EJ22 would it be only $22?...he didn't think it was funny.... Bill

I bit the bullit and bought a head set/kit from my local Subie dealer. THAT hurt let me tell ya when you see "kits" on ebay for $40.

<you'd have to fabricate either a gear on the EJ cam to drive the disty or go DIS on an EA82 since your XT is a gear driven distributor and the EJ stuff is all elecronically controlled, no distributor. not too mention the exhaust wouldn't work, the intake wouldn't work...basically swapping an entire EJ motor into your XT would be far, far easier. not easy...but easier than making EJ heads work.> yeah...we wont go there...just wonderin Bill

Gen 3 heads have been on the car from new...at least when we got the car in 1995 it had 77k on the clock they were the ones I took off to do the head gaskets at 92k. There are no cracks in the gap and there are currently 166k on them. Timing is on except for the 5 degree bump for altitude (Denver). Oh I know "performance" heads don't exist...I was just shooting for a smile. But I am curious is to weither EJ heads will work on an EA. Coolant loss over an extended period...? How 'bout 15 miles and stop to fill it up because its overheating...then another 15 miles...then another... Bill

replaced the cap and themostat, radiator passed a flow check at local rad shop....hence the deep dive.

EA82 enclosed fully in a box= 3rd Gen Note: Don't worry about those cracks that are in the combustion chambers between the valves, they are normal. EA82 is boxed and no cracks between the valves. I will clean up the exhaust ports and check for cracks. The problem that started all this is Im currently working on is quick overheating. I figured it was the head gaskets again but unlike a "normal" blown gasket, I find no obvious failure area on both of these.... Bill

Distributor drive is in the cam block and not the head so heads are interchangeable. So...anyone know what the difference in a "6" casting and a "7"? Bill

<Casting numbers will be different because the heads are different. > heads side to side or these two heads are different and should or shouldn't be the same? If they're supposed to be different, which one goes where? Bill

I have pulled the heads off my 87XT to do head gaskets. I know Im the only one in here based on factory gaskets I have found so far (ok ok...I know because I put the gaskets on the 1st time I was in here at 90k miles ago at 75k for a blown head gasket). I didn't pay any attention then - it was an off and on in one day deal as I had to go to work ya know...Anyway...It looks like I have 2 different heads on this thing. One has a "6" casting and one a "7". Shouldn't they both be the same? While on this subject, are there any other heads that will "bolt on" the case for performance, mileage, creativity or ??? Bill F

gal local has a really nice (no rips/tears in interior, no dents, etc) 1990 AWD Justy with a blown engine. She is asking $600 - realistic or wishful thinking cus Im lookin at it. What engine(s) can go back in the hole? what else to do (clutch, etc) while the engine is being swapped thanks Bill

16" square concrete patio squares from HD or Lowes work great for the jack stands..also works for the jack (2) so at $2 a piece your up to $12...least thats all I spent on mine. Scrap sheet of plywood works great to lay on ..got that from a trash bin of a local construction site. Bill

got a neighbor with a 86 wagon which I can get for about $300...prob is it needs both fenders (ok...I could drive it as is but I ain't gonna) and a bumper. What years are "bolt-on" replacements or what front clips (complete) will bolt on the front end? anyone ever done a "face-lift" on an older Ru?> Bill

Action over at Zeno and Tower Rd has lots of Ru's (usually) Bill F

anybody with an old parts book around?

Sorry to through in "severe" repair conditions - miss read your original post and thought you'd already done the t stat and checked the rad...my bad Bill

Notice any oil around the head gaskets (esp on the bottom). My 87 XT was doing the same thing and everyone says head gaskets so that is my project for next weekend... Bill

got a pair of struts for my 87 XT non-turbo - Monroes part#'s 81787 and 81788 are these the right ones or do these fit some other Sube? Bill

EA82 non-turbo in an 87 XT thats running hot and leaking oil on the right side so I'm assuming its head gasket time. Any recommendations on what else I should do while in there (besides split the case) Bill

hey...absolutely no sweat

Only smoke is at start up and it IS an MPFI Bill

dont remember the piston tops... that was a looong time ago (in a Fairlane far far away) you dont think the oil on start up is rings? Bill