Thank you all for helping me with the cam install. One more. I installed the cams after the HG replacement. I tested for clearance between the bottom of the cam lob and the bucket. There is no cleareance it is resting on it. How do I adjust? I installed them exactly where I removed them from.

Welcome to the wachky world of shim buckets. They rarely go back together the way they were. You need to start at the begining of the adjustment procduce and check all the clearences. You'll then need to remove the shims using the special bucket compressing tool, on the ones that are off and measure them with a mic. And then based on the clearence you had and the shim you measured you get a new shim. It is a HUGE PIA good luck.

On the back side of the bucket is a rod of some sort. Looks like it comes out. Any idea on the model # of the tool I need?

Welcome to the wachky world of shim buckets. They rarely go back together the way they were. You need to start at the begining of the adjustment procduce and check all the clearences. You'll then need to remove the shims using the special bucket compressing tool, on the ones that are off and measure them with a mic. And then based on the clearence you had and the shim you measured you get a new shim. It is a HUGE PIA good luck.

wow - even off the car this sounds like a monster of a job.

 

which EJ engines does this procedure apply too? all EJ25's...what else?

The shop should have done this. If they did u just put the cams in and leave all the buckets EXACTLY where they are.

I brought the heads to the shop for a resurface and replacement of the lifter seals that all. Now I have no cleareance between the cam lob and the bucket. 2.5 HG job has been very nasty.

Make sure you have the respective piston at TDC by using the alignment marks on the cam sprocket. You can also stick at a ratchet extension into the spark plug hole as an indicator of piston position, just make sure the extension is long enough.

The crank and cam are at top dead center. I still have 0 clearance Take a look at the pic, do I have hydraulic buckets, I see no where to take a shim out.

I don't know what the tool # is. As far as I know all ej25 have shim adjusters.

I've never done it on a soob I have done many Fiats. Hydl. lifters would have no shims and zero clearence, if this is a 97-98 I'm 99.9% sure you have shims.

Wish I could be more help. There's people here that have done their own HG on EJ25's chime in!

This engine is a 96 2.5. From what I am seeing in other posts, the buckets are not adjustable..

It might be worth the $35 to get all the info on your motor...

http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/ixSearchNkSm.jsp?level=3&model_year=1996&vehicle_line=Legacy&pid=207781

I learned something. The buckets have a hydrulic center some are very stiff and some are very spongy. Does any one know which side of the spectrum they should be in. Iit appears that while sitting in the bag the oil leaked out. I have filled them up and they are becoming spongy

They are hydraulic buckets. Throw them back in and go drive the car if they are noisy...they will quiet down after a little bit of high RPM driving usually.

The crank and cam are at top dead center. I still have 0 clearance Take a look at the pic, do I have hydraulic buckets, I see no where to take a shim out.

 

1996 2.5 DOHC came with hydraulic valve lash adjusters like the one in your picture. They will have zero lash and adjust automatically

 

SEA#3

I feel alot better. I have lots of hours in this engine and wanted to be sure. Not sure what I would do without the forum. THANKS