revtim

Thanks a lot. That was very helpful. I will check again tomorrow morning but I'm 99% sure it looks like the Ej22. So I guess this is good news.

I looked at the front of the engine and there was the black cover with SUBARU on it but no other markings. Can you be more specific? If this was a swap, then I probably should find out the precise model engine I have in the car now.. or were all the 2.2's the same? Any help in identifying which engine I have in this car would be greatly appreciated.

Why would the 2.2 be a popular swap for a 2.5L engine? Why wouldn't someone replace with the same engine? By the way, mine is a manual transmission and I am learning that the 2.2 engine remained in the Legacy in the manual transmission model longer than in the automatic. I will be checking today to confirm that I do have the 2.2 engine and am forming the conclusion that during the transition that Subaru may have continued putting the 2.2 engine in the 97 model Legacy with a manual transmission for a little while given there are others in the same situation.

I just had the plugs changed. That's when I was told that I should probably replace the coil and wires too. Since they charged me $125 to just change the plugs and wanted $350 if they also replaced the coil and wires, I decided I could do the rest myself. I would have done the plugs myself too but it was just toooooo darned cold here in Michigan right now.

I recently purchased a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited. The door tag indicates it was made in 3/97. The car started occasionally getting a miss in one of two cylinders and the mechanic suggested I replace the ignition coil and plug wires. I ordered the appropriate items and when they arrived, the coil was the wrong one for my car. It was thicker, wider and had the three wire connection on the side of the coil. After some research, I discovered the coil on my car is the one used for models made up to 5/96. It has the connection wire coming out of the bottom and the bolt pattern is about .5 inches smaller than the one I purchased. I am confused. Did some 1997 subarus come with the older ignition coil or is it possible that someone did an engine swap at some point before I purchased it replacing the 1997 engine with a 1996 version? The car has 257k on it and it runs well and has been well maintained so I have no way of knowing. Can anyone help clear up this mystery? Is there a way I can tell a 97 engine from a 96 other than by the ignition coil? Also, should I also return the spark plug wires or are they the same for both model engines. PS: it says the car was assembled in America if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance for any input.

This 97 Legacy I bought has some rust on the rear portion of both rear wheel wells and I was trying to figure out a possible fix that wouldn't cost more than the car is worth and thought about those aftermarket fiberglass fender flares. Could a person cut out the cancer real clean then paint the metal and clean and undercoat the wheel wells to prevent reoccurance of the rust then install fender flares to cover the cut out portions? I am thinking buying and installing those would probably be cheaper than welding in new sheetmetal or fiberglassing the cut out area and some tasteful fender flares (not to exaggerated) wouldn't look bad at all... I hope. Your thoughts? Does this sound like a reasonable idea to me because I am speaking from ignorance or does this idea actually have some merit? thanks

Please forgive what is likely an ignorant question to most of you but I have been reading this forum and am unclear on this subject. Is adjusting the valves on a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L engine part of normal maintenance? I read here where people are talking about adjusting the valves but then the conversation goes into removing the engine to do so which suggests this is not a normal service item. I just bought the car and it has 250K miles on it and I am not hearing any abnormal valve clatter and it otherwise runs good. Someone on an oil related thread suggested I should if they haven't already been adjusted because the #4 cylinder could burn out otherwise. Thanks for any input.

I was looking at the Mobil 1 High Mileage oil for the crankcase but notice it's a 5X20W. That surprised me. Is that too thin for the Subaru 2.5 engine with 250k miles on it?

I just bought a 1997 Legacy Outback with a manual transmission. 248,000 miles and the synchro's in 1st and 2nd gear don't work fully and the car grinds when downshifting if I don't double clutch. I am taking it in to fully service it front to back and want to know what the absolute best fluid to use in this transmission would be. I have read many posts here and seen several kinds recommended... many that actually improve things. That would be great... if possible. Also, how many quarts does the tranny/transfer case hold? Two brands mentioned here are the Red Line and the Royal Purple, both synthetic. Are these the best way to go? Either better than the other? If the fluid that comes out is really dirty, then I have learned here that I should plan on changing the fluid every thousand miles until it cleans up. Is there a particular type I should use for this that will aid the process? I am a big fan of using the best fluids possible and have a 96 Mercedes C Class that has been running Mobil 1 since it was new and my new Subaru will get to enjoy it's final years with a similar quality oil. Which reminds me, which viscosity synthetic oil should I run in the crankcase? Thanks for any advice you can give as I work to bring this aging soldier back to health.