I have a 1989 Subaru DL (yes, that's right, DL) wagon. 4wd, 5-speed, 1.8L EA82 non-turbo. I am looking to get the cylinder heads and head gasket set for it. I believe there were different versions of this engine put into this vehicle - turbo, overhead valve, overhead cam, multi-port injection, etc. How can I find out what I have without taking anything apart under the hood? Are there visible stamps somewhere, or would some place be able to run the VIN? I've already tried a Subaru dealership, and they said that the best thing to do would be to take the valve covers off and look for any stampings inside by the rockers, write them down, and then bring them into the dealership (evidentially there are at least two different types of cylinder heads and I want to make sure that I have the correct ones for replacement). Can someone please help me out to find these parts, and to find some place (even a parts yard or member on this board) that will sell/ship them reasonably priced? Thanks, I appreciate it very much!

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=37 is the "Parts wanted" section of the board.

 

As for IDing parts, I think they're mostly interchangeable, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Wait for someone else to chime in.

 

-=Russ=-

As long as you get head gaskets for an EA82, you're good. All EA82 Head gaskets are the same. As for cylinder heads, get one from an SPFI or Carb'd EA82. The Turbos and MPFI are different and have dual port intakes.

+1 on what Mikeshoup typed.

 

BTW, unless you know that you have a problem with the heads they are probably OK (other than needing a normal milling and maybe a valve job).

But what head should I get? Overhead valve or overhead cam? FYI, I am using http://www.car-part.com as my search tool for trying to locate a cylinder head. And what years of heads are interchangeable for my vehicle?

 

Thanks for the help, and also any additional help/info is appreciated. This is not actually for me, but for the guy who is possibly/most likely buying my car from me. I am trying to help him find parts in hopes of having a definite sale. The issue I have with the car is that it only runs for a mile or two before it begins to smoke and steam under the engine, and then becomes difficult or impossible to start (after it stalls or is turned off); the idle is extremely rough; coolant drips/pours sometimes from what must be the head or headgasket; bubbles appear in the coolant overflow bottle; and the cooling system does not seem to be able to hold pressure. All of these reasons lead me to believe that there is probably something wrong with the head and probably valves itself, and the guy who is going to be buying the car from me wants to have the heads handy just in case they need to be replaced when he has the headgasket replaced.

How can I find out what I have without taking anything apart under the hood? Are there visible stamps somewhere, or would some place be able to run the VIN?

 

I believe there should be visible stamps...

 

where is says EA82 on the head... plain EA82 is 2st gen, line under the EA82 is 2nd gen, box around EA82 is 3rd gen loyale... all heads of the same type (mpfi, spfi) should work from any gen... try to find a newer one if possible since it'll probably have lower miles...

 

 

-Spiffy

But what head should I get? Overhead valve or overhead cam? FYI, I am using www.car-part.com as my search tool for trying to locate a cylinder head. And what years of heads are interchangeable for my vehicle?

 

You have an overhead cam engine, and those are the only heads that will work.

 

Spiffy got the gen marks right, try to get GenIII heads to reduce the chance of this happening again. If you want, just do 90-94 for the years.

But what head should I get? Overhead valve or overhead cam? FYI, I am using www.car-part.com as my search tool for trying to locate a cylinder head. And what years of heads are interchangeable for my vehicle?

 

EA82's are overhead cam. EA81's are the overhead valve motors. You should get any EA82 heads that are either for carb or SPFI. As someone else said the turbo heads are different.

Yes, EA82 OHC engine. Head cracking issues are pretty much an MPFI/Turbo issue, and it is unlikely that your heads need anything more than normal work and new head gaskets.

 

To avoid confusion, look for parts for a 90 or 91 Loyale; the computerized parts systems at most auto parts stores are messed up when it comes to distinguishing between the EA81 OHV equipped cars and the EA82 OHC equiped ones, since they overlapped between 85 and 89(???).

 

Replace the timing belts while you are at it, and probably some other maintanence work.