Say you have some ej25 DOHC heads, I know in the service manual they give all this info on how far the cams need to be rotated and all to check the gap.. Well is it possible off the car? My gut feeling tells me it's no issue but I rather ask here first.

Sure, rotate the cam until the non bumpy part of the cam shaft is on the bucket/shim, then check the clearance. Repeat till you've checked them all.

Sure, rotate the cam until the non bumpy part of the cam shaft is on the bucket/shim, then check the clearance. Repeat till you've checked them all.

Yeah I thought so, not sure why the service manual gets all anal about it

engine in or out of the car makes no difference, cams and valve train don't know the difference, engine still operates exactly the same....check valves, compression, leak down....heck you can start it out of the vehicle if you set it up properly - i know a place that can put a Subaru engine on a stand and run it (bring your ear plugs).

Yes I know that but since the heads are coming from a yard they wont be on a block..

 

Anyways my question was anwsered so that takes care of that.

ah, i missed the heads only part. same deal, valve train doesn't touch nor is affected by anything on the block so adjust away.  kind of nice not having the timing belt/crank to turn.

I'm so used of turning the cams by hand SHOC or DOHC it does not bother me at all, hah this week is going to feel like the longest week ever, I wont mess with the heads until my vacation is over.. so all in all I will be pulling the motor twice.. no big deal, now on to getting some sti motor mounts!