Just a quick question, After torquing the heads to 22 and 51 the next step is to back off by 180 and then another 180. When I back off the head bolts by the first 180 the bolt is just about totally loose.. And the second 180 is totally loose finger tight. Is this normal? Again just seemed a little funny to me, Better to ask now before I drop it in. I followed everything exactly.

 

Thanks,

 

Geo

I notice that the outside bolts will totally un-torque.

 

The first step is to seat the gasket. Then the next steps are torquing it down.

 

Based on my last HG job a few weeks ago, this is normal.

thank you, this is my first subaru. Everyone on this site has great. Thank you for the re assurance, I knew I followed it correctly.

 

Thanks again,

 

Geo

Good to know when I do my headgaskets.

Yea..it's good to know. I figured the first step was just to seat the gasket, but when you have specific instructions to back off 180 twice you would think the bolts would be still snug, it just got me wondering if I missed a step. Glad there is some very helpful people around here.

Yeah that's normal. After all of the bolts are backed off the first time, you will feel some drag on them when starting to turn them back the second time.

Normal. You don't actually even need to do the second 180 most of the time. Loose is loose.

 

GD

yep, never seen it any other way, always thought that second step was kind of hokey.....don't like second guessing/questionable stuff happening then!

Well it's all back together. Going to try to install it this weekend. I took my time and feel I should not have any issues, well crossing my fingers. This was my first Subaru experience and enjoyed the change. Hope the car will work out. I picked it up for $300 due to a weeping head gasket and a dent in the fender from a deer. replaced all the seals and gaskets accept the rear main due to every ones advice. Car came with new tires,brakes, and exhaust. old owner did not want to spend the money to fix it. while doing the head gaskets, I changed the water pump, resealed the oil pump, timing belt and all the rollers, all hoses, Tstat,air filter, fuel filter, all gasket that came in the reseal kit, Clutch,pressure plate and bearrings used all OEM accept spark plug wires and clutch (exedy) It should be dam good car for the $1200 I got in to it. I just have to get the hood and fender painted.

 

2000 Legacy L

120 K

 

Thanks for every ones help! I'm sure I will call on you again.

Geo

 

Edited June 9, 201114 yr by Rpm90001

Good luck--we're rooting for you! Let us know how it goes.

I had fun when I did my TB on the Ej22 so doing the headgaskets should be really fun on the EJ25D

 

Finding time when everyone is not always asking for a ride is annoying

Just a FYI, the final torque on the head bolts brings them all to around 90-95 ftlbs. If you have a digital torque wrench, you can watch the torque as you do the last 90 degree crank on the bolts.