Trying to do everything right but $49.95 each for a Subaru head gasket.

 

I called my closest Subaru dealer and he said, "wow, i can still get your head gasket and the are $49.95...each."

 

Does that seem a little steep?  If that is what it will take to keep this beast running trouble free for another 35 years then I'll do it. but WOW.

 

My gasket set came with head gaskets but they are not exactly like the ones I took off.

 

I need this one.

 

But my gasket set came with this one.

 

Notice the difference in the outside water jacket holes.

 

Any advise?

 

Shawn

Interesting.  I have used the ISHINO ones that look more like the bottom pic without problems but I don't know 35 years of life on it yet heck I am barely older than that.

Does anyone have a Subaru Part number?

 

1979 Subaru Brat.  EA71,  Motor stamped 12/78

I think its 11044aa180.

May want to double check that, as Fel-pro at rock auto has them really cheap. Those may be the last 2 from subaru

Subaru February 1980 parts catalog says part number 31230 4302 for all 1600s

I just bought a complete overhaul gasket set (2 head gaskets, manifold gaskets, etc.) for an EA81 in Israel for ~50$.

 

We have a lot of EA71s here, if you would like i can check pricing for an EA71 and maybe ship one set to you.

OK,  I located a set that are Sanwa Gaskets from Japan.  Part number BC640.  They are identical to the ones that were removed.  The Sanwa catalog calls for a BC640 for a EA71 that was manufactured from 1975 - April of 1979.  After April 1979 the part is BG770.  My motor has a 12/78 stamp so that explains the older style gasket.

 

Got them for $20 each.

 

They are a fiber/steel/fiber gasket.

 

Any recommendations on weather to use any gasket sealant or not.  I do not believe they will be sticky, they don't appear to have a film to peal off before applying them.

Do not put sealant on the headgasket, its designed to crush and deform in the correct ways for the fire rings, bolt holes, water passages, oil passages, etc. I've used copper gasket spray on headgaskets before, but I don't really recommend it.