tomson1355

Tom-I had the relevant sections of the FSM from here: http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/index.jspThese were almost as valuable as the stuff I found here and at Skip's page. I wasn't organized enough to download the entire manual and rename all the files, so, when I need it again, it will cost me. Greg-I don't know if it's that sideways piston or what, but that Forester engine sits there and purrs. No shakes or wobbles. It is far smoother than the V6 in my '03 S10, and smoother even than that VR6 in the Passat, or Pissat as I've seen it spelled. Tom

I finished my 98 Forester (132K) head gaskets today. My thanks to Skip, Bearbalu, 99OBW and the others who blazed the trail and provided so much information that it was possible for a neophyte like me to do the job. Thanks also to those who answered my questions here. The only complaint I have is nobody warned me about the car alarm screeching in an enclosed shop when the positive terminal was connected. Fortunately, we had a defibrillator on hand. Afterwards I saw the yellow sticker under the hood and felt a little sheepish. No leaks and the car runs great. The only big mistake I made was to put the valve covers on before torqueing the cam sprockets so I couldn't use the flats on the cams. Didn't want to take the covers back off (that left lower rear bolt is a stinker), so I figured I would hand tighten the sprockets and once the belt was on I could use the 5thgear-foot on the brake trick to hold the cams while I torqued. Bad idea. One sprocket jumped a tooth and I got flustered and had to go back to square one. This car is new to us, and I'm really impressed. It runs like a top, it feels really solid (tank-like) and is quite peppy. Very pleasant to drive, especially on snow. Close your eyes and you'd never know this car has 132k miles on it. It's tight. My veterinarian puts a couple hundred thousand miles on his Subarus every few years (large-animal practice, lots of driving) and recently traded his OB for a new Forester. He drove the new Forester for the first time and said, except for not smelling like cow manure, he couldn't see much difference between the car with 200K and the new one. Compared to our 97 Passat VR6 (125k), which always has something wrong with it and has at least a dozen features which are really annoying, the Forester is a dream. Hello, Subaru. Goodbye, Volkswagen. It was a fun and interesting job for me. Something different. I might even do it again someday! Tom Murphy Earlville, NY

The FSM says: Do not use a lateral type vise. Do not allow press pressure to exceed 9807N (1000Kg, 2205 Lb.) What is the reason for not using a lateral type vise? Can I use one if I'm careful? I'm sure I could be careful enough to not exceed 2205 lb. Thanks, Tom Murphy Earlville, NY

Thanks for the replies. At this point, I'm going to leave the engine in place, unless I can't get the left head in place. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Another question: The Service Manual calls for using "Liquid Packing" in several places, such as the cam cap mating surfaces. Can anybody tell me what this stuff is or what I should use in its place? Thanks, Tom

Hi all. New to Subarus. New here. Have benefitted greatly from the forums on HGs and from Skip's pages. I'm doing the HGs on a 98 Forester with 132000 miles. Trying to leave the engine in the car. I've removed the left side head, and had difficulty getting the bolts clear so I could lift the dang thing out. I'm wondering, for those of you who have done the job in place, how difficult it is to replace the head, keeping the gasket, lifters and shims in place while maneuvering the bolts into their holes, all the while making sure that I don't knock any debris into the head or cylinder. I'd like to not have to pull the engine, but I can see how many things would be easier when I didn't have to fight the tight clearances. I suppose I can insert the lifters and shims after the head is in place, if I can keep from getting them mixed up. Also, is there a list anywhere of the various shim sizes? Thanks for your help. I've managed to get this far without too much struggle, but I don't like the looks of reinstalling that head. Tom Murphy Earlville, NY