JohnM

Thanks for the reply G. Too much oil I agree. I squirted it on and allowed it to drip off. The blocks were machined and thoroughly cleaned. The assembled block was on the stand with the cylinders in the vertical position - mating surfaces are horizontal. I thoroughly cleaned the block with lacquer thinner. The heads were also cleaned - no oil in or out of them. I removed the MLS gaskets from the wrapper and placed them over the dowels. Then placed the heads over the dowels. Installed the bolts and torqued them to spec. Ya I thought the loosening 360 degrees was too much, but what do I know about Subaru gaskets? The oil I feel just followed the path of least resistance in any direction as mentioned above. What did I miss besides the "used too much oil" part?

Thanks, I found the tread started by Jellyman. Opinions are thumbs down to reuse. I think the car would be more fun using it as target practice. I'm sick of this HG crap. I appreciate your responses. Helps guys like me make informed decisions.

Too much oil on the threads is the issue, I believe, like you have stated. I haven't read anywhere how much to use. I see videos of guys just squiring it on the threads and washer from an oil can. No warning about the oil working it's way back out of the hole as the bolt goes in and spreading into the gasket. So that's what I did, just squirt it on. The heads have been faced as well as the blocks. .020 over pistons and valve job. Yea it's a pain to disassemble the cams just to get to the head bolts. Since HGs are 90 bucks are they reusable if the engine has not been fired off yet?

Just finished installing heads on 96 OB. This is the second time I have noticed the oil from the head bolts seeping from the head gaskets after Subaru's torque sequence. I think it comes from the loosening of the bolts after torquing the first time. Will this be a sign of failure if there is oil between the metal layers? I cleaned everything with lacquer thinner thoroughly and installed the gaskets with the head vertical on the engine stand. The previous attempt I installed head gaskets I saw the same thing and they failed. The engine is not in the car yet. John

I don't know if this has been addressed in the past. If so, please, lead the way........ Why are the specs showing on the 2.5 DOHC head bolts in the center #1,2 at 25 ft lbs and 3,4,5,6 at 11 ft lbs before the 90 degree sequence? Would the gaskets fail at any point if the bolts weren't tight enough? This will be my 2nd attempt to get it right....... Thanks

Ok, ditch the Felpros and go OEM. Then I gather it will be safe to proceed with the machining? I'll check the valve clearance. I read in here somewhere a tootsie roll works good. Thanks

Here is my first attempt at a url photo of the pistons: _57_zps4ccdff49.jpg.html I'm not sure what phase block I have and I have a set of FEL-PRO # 26167 PT head gaskets. Thanks for help I really appreciate it.

Thanks 86BRATMAN, The style piston is actually 99-2004 what would the CR be then?

Thanks for the reply O. The block has 218000 on it and would like to keep it going for a while longer. I suppose i didn't want to take the risk of buying a used block just to find other issues when I dug into it. The heads have had a valve job and faced. Not sure what formula to use to find CR. John

Hello, I'm new to Soobs and have a 96 2.5l DOHC Outback that needs the cylinders bored to .02 over. I was only able to find .02 over pistons for a '99 2.5l DOHC from NPR. I typoed the year and it should be '99 pistons in a '96.I measured them up and found them to be .046 shorter from the pin center line to the top of the piston. Also they are .211 shorter overall. And I think the valve depressions will still have .024 clearance, not sure though as the machine work has not been done yet and I am researching before I do it. So, is this an option? Or will I have issues. The information given by the members on this forum has helped me in the past and I am grateful. Thank you for your help.

I'm new to Subaru and have a 96 outback that needs engine help. I have lurked here in the past and the knowledge base is great.