Trying to figure out specifically which EJ22 I've got for an EA to EJ swap. Previous owner who pulled it kept saying 99 outback but the video he shared with me of it running before he pulled it doesn't look like an outback. I don't know Subaru's very well at all. So any extra insight would help.

Couple more photos before it was pulled

There are two outbacks in that era.  The legacy outback, which is the bigger 4 door legacy wagon.  Impreza outback sport, the smaller impreza wagon.

6 hours ago, nvu said:

There are two outbacks in that era.  The legacy outback, which is the bigger 4 door legacy wagon.  Impreza outback sport, the smaller impreza wagon.

I'm partly afraid I cannot trust what little info he gave me. When I asked him what year it came out of he said "I think it was a 99. One of those outbacks." but later he specifically said it *wasn't* a wagon as we were chatting. I'm sitting at home with a broken thumb for the next week maybe two, so I'd like to order what I can now for a timing rebuild, seals and gaskets, thermostat, etc. I know I could zero in on the year if I had it one a stand and started digging in a bit. But that isn't happening for a few days at least.

Just looking at the cam covers that’ll be a phase two engine. 

Dunno if that helps! 

What seals and gaskets are you chasing? Not too much is different between the phase1 and phase2 with the heads and blocks. The intake manifold gaskets are different between the p1 & p2. 

Waterpump gasket and oil pump O ring are all the same. 

Timing belt is different but that’s about it. 

Cheers 

Bennie

1 hour ago, el_freddo said:

Just looking at the cam covers that’ll be a phase two engine. 

Dunno if that helps! 

What seals and gaskets are you chasing? Not too much is different between the phase1 and phase2 with the heads and blocks. The intake manifold gaskets are different between the p1 & p2. 

Waterpump gasket and oil pump O ring are all the same. 

Timing belt is different but that’s about it. 

Cheers 

Bennie

Not really chasing anything. Just want to confirm it's a 99+ EJ22 for parts before I start firing away orders haha

That grill looks like 95-99 Legacy/Outback. These only came with Phase 1 engines, either a SOHC 2.2 in the early years, or a DOHC 2.5 later.

But the engine is pretty clearly a phase 2 SOHC engine. That would mean it's not original.

 

A 99 Outback Sport (based on the Impreza) would have a phase 2 EJ22. 

 

Look on the passenger side, vertical surface of the block, right next to the bellhousing. There will be a flat spot in the casting roughly 1x3". All USDM engines will have the original VIN engraved on this surface. That will give you the information. At a glance, the 4th digit will tell you what chassis (B = Legacy, G=Impreza, S=Forester), and the 10th digit will tell you the VIN (W, X, Y, 1, 2 = 98, 99, 00, 01, 02 respectively, ETC.). And there are many tools online to decode a vin to the specific vehicle.

Edited December 10, 20241 yr by Numbchux

4 hours ago, Numbchux said:

That grill looks like 95-99 Legacy/Outback. These only came with Phase 1 engines, either a SOHC 2.2 in the early years, or a DOHC 2.5 later.

But the engine is pretty clearly a phase 2 SOHC engine. That would mean it's not original.

 

A 99 Outback Sport (based on the Impreza) would have a phase 2 EJ22. 

 

Look on the passenger side, vertical surface of the block, right next to the bellhousing. There will be a flat spot in the casting roughly 1x3". All USDM engines will have the original VIN engraved on this surface. That will give you the information. At a glance, the 4th digit will tell you what chassis (B = Legacy, G=Impreza, S=Forester), and the 10th digit will tell you the VIN (W, X, Y, 1, 2 = 98, 99, 00, 01, 02 respectively, ETC.). And there are many tools online to decode a vin to the specific vehicle.

Yeah just from what I was looking at, something did not add up with the grill style and what he was telling me. Thanks I will take a look and post when I get to the shop.