I have an 01 outback ej251 that I'm swapping a motor from into my 02 outback because my motor seized. I plan to do valve gaskets which are clearly bad, timing belt which appears to be original, and I was thinking about head gaskets. Donor car has 124000 miles. So my question is should I do head gasket and what brands for each do you recommend. I've heard gates timing and felpro 3 layer HG.

Do not use a felpro gasket, use the STi gasket. Subaru part number: 11044AA642.

Use a Gates timing kit, replace all the idlers, tensioner, and waterpump. One of those usually fails before the belt.

Yes at 124,000 I would do the head gaskets just because you have the motor out. I always use subaru head gaskets, people are having good luck using the felpro ones. The gates timing belt kit with idlers and water pump are good, for the cam seals and crank seal you should  use subaru parts there. Fel pro valve cover gaskets will be fine. While you are in there remove your oil pump and check that the rear screws are tight. Remove your flywheel and inspect your rear main seal (don.t change it unless its leaking ) inspect the oil breather cover at the same time (if it is the plastic one then consider replacing it with the metal one.

The breather covers are all metal by 2000. I've done several rear mains and never had one leak. I seat them JUST A TAD further in than original, that makes the seal seat in a new place on the shaft so it doesn't get worn out by the tiny groove caused by the original seal. However, rear mains rarely fail and it seems by and large peolpe have a rough time replacing them without having leaks.... So just leave it be.

I'm unfamiliar with the process as this will be my first HG. With the sti gaskets do I need to adjust valve clearances or anything. Also what all do I need since I'm not just getting a kit. So far in my cart I have valve, intake manifold,and water pump gaskets. The gates timing kit with water pump. Anything else?

If you've never done a head gasket before, this is probably not the engine you want to start with. The 2.5s are VERY PICKY about gasket surface cleanliness.

Unless you can see seepage from the head gaskets, I wouldn't bother. Replace the valve cover gaskets, cam seals, and put a timing kit on it.

 

I like Aisin water pumps because they come with the factory style rubber coated metal water pump gasket. Dunno what style gasket the Gates kit comes with, most come with paper gaskets that tend to fail and cause a leak.

I would like to point out that while it's my first head gasket that I won't be alone. My dad doesn't have experience in Subarus but is a master mechanic and can help me. Also I am a machinist by trade and deal with keeping surfaces perfectly clean before assembly on a daily basis.

Edited November 30, 201510 yr by Legback0203