1998 legacy outback, cooked the seal retainer cap/welded it to exhaust cam. Took head out, burned #1 cylinder exhaust valve replaced&milled head. New head gasket and belt and tensioner +new cam seals and crank seal. Couldn't get the motor mounts in, (rocky going and long day), so tried shortcut. Started engine, thought rocking a bit would bring the engine forward a quarter inch. Engine dies. Repeat. Maybe it won't run w/out exhaust manifold bolted up?

I had the same thing happen with a friend's '08 Forester. Make sure the airflow sensor is plugged in and at least have that part of the intake manifold assembled. 

 

Edit: Disregard. Just saw the other thread on the same topic. 

Edited June 20, 20169 yr by mattslote

confirm timing, line-up marks and do a tooth count.