What cars/engines have a donor ej251 block? Are there other ej25's with identical blocks?

Bought a 99 forester with a hole in the block and a seized motor. I have pulled the engine, removed the heads. Its looking like im going to have to split the block just to get the torque converter back. 

Might just get a used 2.0L.

Also, the torque converter pump extension thing has fallen into the transmission. So I have to figure out how to get that out.

Drill the TC bolts out to remove TC from engine.  No need to split block though with a hole you can bash it all apart if you want and can get it to separate and turn over  

Lift transmission from the rear and tilt the front down at as steep of an angle as you can. Hang that thing nearly upside down if you have an engine lift and don’t let the tc tube hit you in the face.  10x easier than fishing it out. 

Edited October 12, 20214 yr by idosubaru

I loosened the case half bolts a couple turns, and smacked the crank snout side to side with a mallet a few times, and was able to get mine to turn over enough to get to all the converter bolts.

sometimes a thrown rod can act like a ratchet pawl and the engine only turns in one direction.

On 10/11/2021 at 7:39 PM, Rockstaar1226 said:

What cars/engines have a donor ej251 block?

i can verify 2002 and 2004 Foresters have the EJ251.. assuming 2003 does as well..

possibly earlier models too

Edited October 13, 20214 yr by heartless

I had this happen to me, the crank would not turn in either direction, I ended up splitting the case. If I recall correctly I could get to two of the flex plate bolts. Some people have suggested its easier cut the case with a sawsall to gain access to the other two bolts, the case is already unusable.

I just remembered the other thing I did. I hooked up a battery and used the starter. It can apply way more torque to the rotating assembly than you can on the crank bolt.