Head Replacement update

[captainkf]

A couple monthes back my 92 loyale wagon was spewing a foamy coolant in the middle of a trip back through the rockies. My head had cracked to the water jacket (1000 kms after taking out a water pump) and I thought it was the death blow as I was getting sick of putting more $$ into her. However it was in good mechanical shape otherwise. So after looking at all the options I decided to have it fixed. I had a friend who owns a garage do the work for a decent price, and sourced all the parts myself (big savings!) with the help of many from this board. Now I know I could have done the work myself but I just did not have the time and needed my car. Here are the products I used or found.

 

- Felpro head gasket kit from Shucks in washington $129.99 ($362.00 at the parts store locally)

 

- rebuilt lifters from mitzpah (http://www.mizpahprecision.com/index.htm) for $6.50 ea ($75.00 ea new elsewhere). There customer service was excellent and they shippped right away.

 

- Used heads (no cracks, not even hairline) $45 ea from NY. They wanted $150 ea locally, and were very difficult to find, like hours and hours on the phone.

 

- 6 hrs shop time @ $55 hr.

 

- oil, coolant

 

The heads were good enough to not require any machining. While the car was on the hoist I had him flush my heater core, bleed the brakes and install a new front axle.

 

The car now has aprox 2000 km's on it with cold B.C. 4wheel driving in mountain passes and ..... runs like a charm.

 

No ticking, no leaking!

 

It's amazing.

 

I had to put in a new battery as my old one prematurely died (warrenty) and I need to replace my heater core as I only get luke warm air at the best of times even with a new thermostat, core flush with prestone coolant flush and a hose in each direction. So that kind of sucks as I hear it takes about 6 hours. Oh well.

 

I love the "new" engine. My mechanic had never worked on an older model subaru before, and loved the push button 4wd. He tried to get it up to temp, and it took him 5 times longer than any other car he'd ever worked on. Overall, I am very happy.

 

Thank you all sooooo much for your prompt and accurate help. This forum saved me $$$ and from scrapping my car and buying somthing else.

 

regards and happy holidays,

 

-Richard in Rossland

[Gloyale]

My head had cracked to the water jacket (1000 kms after taking out a water pump) and I thought it was the death blow

 

 

I haven't heard of single port heads ever cracking in that way? sure it wan't just a blown headgaket? Did you see the cracked heads?

 

Glad it's fixed anyhow. 45 bucks for used heads with no cracks is great. Frankly, I've never seen a used EA82 head without at least 1 BTV crack

[captainkf]

Yes they were both cracked. One right with the "normal" hairline cracks, the other as wide as a fingernail that ran into the water jacket. This is what caused exhaust gas to leak into the coolant. And yes it was quite a chore to find uncracked heads. The headgasket was in good shape when they were removed.

 

-Richard

[Skip]

congarts Capin'

"sticktoittiveness" beyond reproach!!

 

Two lines bother me a bit

1) He tried to get it up to temp, and it took him 5 times longer than any other car he'd ever worked on.

 

2) I only get luke warm air at the best of times even with a new thermostat

These both indicate the thermostat is incorrect.

I suggest you try a Subaru OEM at 193 degrees.

This should solve both issues.

 

Many more miles of smiles in your Su Bar U

[idosubaru]

sounds good and i agree with Skip, sounds like an aftermarket thermostat (they are bad, the Subaru stat is far superior). i would replace it, you'll be amazed at how huge and stout the subaru stat looks next to the old one, they don't even look like the same part.

 

dont' know if it's too late but with oil/water mixing i would have the radiator flushed as well with a blown head gasket.