Subastu

Alright guys, I got it apart and put back together... Mostly. I went to adjust the valves and got stopped by an adjustment screw and lock nut, It appears the lock nut got backed off too much and now I can't get it to tighten. I don't know what to do with that, yet. I don't have the specific wrench for adjusting those and don't know which one to get. (suggestions appreciated). Both Old head gaskets looked surprisingly good for the bubbles in the radiatorthat I was seeing. there were cracks and a hole only in the coolant channel at the top center between the cylinders, on both head gaskets, The place where the coolant channel ends up against the block. I might have tossed the gasket already but I feel like I might have set it aside to send you guys a picture. It looked bubbled and cracked away from the block and towards the cylinder head coolant channel. No other obvious damage. Now, I was wondering if that would be enough to cause the bubbles in the Radiator? Also, Before I went to adjust the Valves on the passenger side Head, I ghetto checked pressure to get to #1 TDC by covering the plug hole with my thumb and cranking the engine over. It seems like there isn't much pressure in the number one Cylinder, the rest seem fine. Could this be lack of oil? in rings valves etc. It's still dry from the reseal. I looked at the valves and inspected the heads when I had them off. there was Carbon build up but nothing too bad. the Cylinder one exhaust valve had the worst of it but nothing crazy. and I cleaned and scrubbed them all. No cracks Etc. Cylinder bores were mirror smooth and the Pistons looked Like they had a little Carbon build up but not too much. I'm worried that I put it all together prematurely and Im going to have to pull it again and do a valve job. Need some re assurance etc. Other than that all smooth! except for some flare nut fun and some Vacuum hose confusion. I'm wondering your guys' experience with Cylinder compression and defective head gasket appearance in these EA81's. the Compression is starting to get me discouraged a little bit.

Also, It's only got 140,000 Original miles

Thanks for all the replies guys, I am gonna put all of the advice to work as soon as the gaskets get in. What did you mean impossible to rebuild DaveT? My plan is to reseal nearly everything except the crankcase eventually. Man I wish I could pick that engine up from you bzzltyr, I would even Freight it up here if I could. Also, best Source for OEM Gaskets and what's a good substitute if I can't find them?

Ill Do that first, thanks.

Well I was working at a Job site in Anchorage and the Home Owner had a sweet 82 GL Wagon parked out front. I got talking with him about it and long story short my new Subaru is sitting next to the Forester in my driveway For a cool $300. Now, It has problems, Big ones. But with the exception of some rust and bent front fenders, It's cherry. Before I came into possession of this sweet Hatchback the owner had some problems with it. Until this October it was his daily driver and when I looked at it for the first time he had five gallons of water in bottles in the back... Not a good sign. He says the radiator had a pinhole leak in it so he replaced it. I'm pretty sure he overheated it because of that. So he replaced the radiator with this: https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/radiator/duralast-spi/780940_1093513_0_3498 The Radiator holds fluid and has no apparent leaks. Somehow he didnt have a fan or the thermoswitch installed on his new Radiator. I have the correct fan now though and am in the process of finding a thermoswitch for the radiator fan. I got it started and idling today for the first time with hopes to find some symptoms and I discovered a few. They are as follows: Engine is wet with what looks like oil and coolant in some places, mostly coolant. Especially on the passenger side, oddly it has some coolant collected on top of the heads/block on the passenger side. White smoke/vapor comes out of the exhaust but it doen't seam blue. Idle is rough, could be that the choke is screwed up and its pretty cold up here. I pulled the cap off the radiator and started it again and watched an endless bubbling come up from the bottom the exhaust has a leak and out of that exhaust leak there is a little bit of coolant. I think that it is do for head gaskets big time, But I want to know what you guys think. Iv'e been searching and learning on forums for the month leading up to this point. I just want some of your opinions and experience, I expected to do some serious work on this Car I just haven't had the pleasure of fixing a car with such serious problems.