I have a 96 2.5 OBW that I am doing the head gasket on. The harmonic balancer was shot and needed to be replaced. I found one from a 98 2.5 Forester for 15 bucks at the bone yard. They look different but my guess is they can be interchanged. Here is a pic, the original is on the left. Does anyone know?

Is there much of a weight difference between the two? If the weight is close and the ID's are the same why not.

Well, I am AT THIS VERY MOMENT trying an experiment; my Dad's '95 legacy 2.2 shredded its harmonic balancer (same as the "open front" one you picture) and I'm replacing it with a closed front one from the old ej25 engine I have in the garage. It seems to bolt up fine, but I haven't fired the car up yet.

 

Nathan

Got the "closed face" style pulley installed. Works great. (Have only driven about 10 miles, but I don't forsee any issues.) I think you're probably safe to swap at will.

 

 

Nathan

I agree, I looked at it closer and it just a rubber insert that seals it up.