hugho

Thanks idosubaru. I have a 2.2 96 OB which is flawless and low miles but a bit small so I am thinking about the bigger legacys from 96 to say 99. The choice then is to find a low mile 2.2 and throw it in(unlikely) or do due dilligence and fix the 2.5 before it conks out. I have just finished doing my own rebuild on my 2001 corolla with 290K because of oil burning. It runs flawlessly with lots of power from 1.8 L and gets 45-50 mpg but is 2wd and we live in DEEP snow country(Wyoming) and 4wd comes in handy and is required if you ride the passes so just looking for an economical winter 4x4. My wife drives the Impreza and I am stuck with my 2wd corolla or driving one of the big Cummins pick em ups which are terrible in snow and ice and lousy commuter cars. They were meant for pulling cattle trailers which is how I use them. If fixing a 2.5 that hasn't broke yet really doesn't fix it, I wont bother trying. We are an empty state with long spaces between help and breakdowns in winter can be serious so I want reliability. Is throwing in a 2.2 a better option? Finding mid 90 2.2's with less than 150K at junkyards seems impossible. Your thoughts? BTW your posts are superb and I have read almost every one.

Would it be wise to replace the 2.5 HG prophylactically on a perfect running legacy outback, ie hasn't overheated or leaked etc. Would that eliminate the HG problem or are there other design issues which make it a waste of time?