Got a ea81 I am rebuilding. Heads are cracked, can I put a good set of used heads on there without redoing valves and whatnot? I know new heads on a used block is a bad idea, never heard anything about the other way around. Thanks.

Of course,but,it seems a little silly to not at least freshen up the valves/seats and check the guide wear.

Who said new heads on a used block is silly?

 

As long as all the sealing surfaces have perfect surfaces, and everything functions, you can mate up anything you have.

 

I would have the used heads freshened up as suggested or at least insepcted to see if anything needs to be cleaned up.

The problem is I am running out of money. It seems I have had road block after road block, and many things I never anticipated on replacing I have had to do. I live in Arkansas where there are not to many subies, so getting parts is a ***************. Finding someone to even machine the crank was hassle, many shops damn near Hung up on me when they heard "subaru".

 

I have heard for years the the heads are strength of the motor, if you put rebuilt heads on the used block the rings will blow. The heads basically overpower the bottom end. Just wondering if worked the other way around, doesn't seem logical but it was worth a ask.

Thanks guys.

Someone told you all wrong.

 

If you do a valve job on a high mileage engine you can end up with blowby (oil burning). You wont blow the rings out of the engine. Part of this equation is how many miles was on the engine when it was torn down, and a compression test before tear down wet/dry would have helped.

 

Part of the money issue is where you are getting your information from.

 

If you rebuild a block you get new rings and have the cylinder walls honed and you have no blowby.

People buy replacement shortblocks all the time. I personally don't like rebuilding heads for people that are using an old block but its been done too.

Whether the info I have not accurate it still comes to the same conclusion....faulty motor. That is what I am trying to get answered will it be faulty in a couple thousand miles?

 

It seems like it will be fine.

i wouldn't worry about it. i'd swap away.

The problem is I am running out of money. It seems I have had road block after road block, and many things I never anticipated on replacing I have had to do. I live in Arkansas where there are not to many subies, so getting parts is a ***************. Finding someone to even machine the crank was hassle, many shops damn near Hung up on me when they heard "subaru".

 

I have heard for years the the heads are strength of the motor, if you put rebuilt heads on the used block the rings will blow. The heads basically overpower the bottom end. Just wondering if worked the other way around, doesn't seem logical but it was worth a ask.

Thanks guys.

 

Search ebay for remanufactured heads for your motor, if you have the cash.

 

Dude has like 7 of those for $100.00 ea. with free shipping.

 

Doug

Doug, I saw that. But he only has the drivers side, I need both. Great deal tho, way cheaper than a shop doing it.

The problem is I am running out of money.

 

When I redid the headgaskets on my ea81 about 7,000 miles ago I used GDs DIY head resufacing method with great results (although I clamped my sandpaper instead of glueing it). I replaced the intake valve seals for a couple bucks, pulled all the valves, and cleaned any and all crust off the valves and seats. It cost the price of the sandpaper, WD-40, the valve seals, and my labor.

 

I have a granite slab and valve spring compressor so you might have to purchase some glass if you don't have something like that around and buy or borrow the compressor if you don't have one. It could of course be better but it's an old ea81, it works great, and it's way cheaper than a shop, especially if you can't find a good one nearby. You can always swap out nicer heads a little later if you want.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=126869&highlight=%26quot%3BDIY+head%26quot%3B