I just discovered a cracked cylinder while trying to change HGs. I would like to use a newer 2.5 to avoid HG issues. If I use my existing manifold, sensors, etc. can I just drop in a 2003 or 2004 2.5 from a Forester, Legacy or Impreza? Thanks!

Edited March 31, 200917 yr by dbfitz
new info

Yes,I put a 2004 in my 2001.

Subaru's are the LEGO's of the car world.

I just discovered a cracked cylinder while trying to change HGs.

 

Do you have pictures of that? I;ve never SEEN a cracked cylinder in a Subaru. Lot's of heads, and spun cylinder sleeves, but never a crack.

 

PICS!!!!

I'll get you some pictures. Can someone else confirm that any 2000-2004 SOHC 2.5 is a direct drop in if I use my manifold? All the scrap yards keep telling me "2000 only" in their compatibility books. Dealer says same thing. DOM of my Forester was 7/99 if that matters. Any issues I might face in using a different year engine? Thanks for your help!!

Can't post pics yet (maybe too new) Let me know how to post them and you'll see cracked cylinder

Edited March 31, 200917 yr by dbfitz

Search on here to confirm, but the Forester/Impreza got the SOHC 2.5 in '99, too. (Legacy/Outback in 2000.)

 

Per cars101.com:

1999 Forester

Engine - new Phase II 2.5 liter 4 cylinder, 16 valve SOHC (single overhead cam) Boxer engine as opposed to Phase I DOHC (double overhead cam)

 

1999 Impreza:Full time All-Wheel-Drive New for 1999: new Phase II 2.2 and 2.5L engines,.....

I found a 2002 Forester engine from a local salvage yard, for $1,350 with 65k miles. Should I just replace HGs right away? or wait until they fail....

There are several things that have to match up:

Left cam sprocket

Crank sprocket

EGR

PCV valve seating (either screws into block or has hose that goes over it)

 

The cam and crank sprockets must match or the car will NOT start.

 

Emily

http://www.ccrengines.com

Thanks Emily- when you say "match up" do you mean the triggers on the crank & L cam sprockets could be in different places on various 2.5 SOHC engines? I have no EGR now- I can plug it if needed on the replacement since my ECU won't be looking for that anyway, right? My PCV valve is hose mounted. I would personally vote to buy a short block from you but the car owner is a nursing student trying to get by as inexpensively as possible. I'm donating my shop and my time to her as community service. Thanks for your help

Thanks Emily- when you say "match up" do you mean the triggers on the crank & L cam sprockets could be in different places on various 2.5 SOHC engines? I have no EGR now- I can plug it if needed on the replacement since my ECU won't be looking for that anyway, right? My PCV valve is hose mounted. I would personally vote to buy a short block from you but the car owner is a nursing student trying to get by as inexpensively as possible. I'm donating my shop and my time to her as community service. Thanks for your help

 

On the back of the cam and crank pulleys for the timing belt, just count the teeth that trigger the sensor. There are 2 different possibilities for each. If the ones on the replacement engine are different, just re-use your old ones.

 

Oh and the crankcase breather on the newer blocks that looks like it screws into the block doesn't, it just presses in. You can just carefully pull it out and put the fitting from your old block back in

Edited March 25, 200917 yr by subaru360

Thanks for your help, that makes sense- I see 7 "triggers" on my cam sprocket and 6 0n the crank sprocket- hopefully they will match or I'll swap them. Any other issues I may face? Should I swap in the old sensors that pick up these signals also? or is that not needed?

Thanks for your help, that makes sense- I see 7 "triggers" on my cam sprocket and 6 0n the crank sprocket- hopefully they will match or I'll swap them. Any other issues I may face? Should I swap in the old sensors that pick up these signals also? or is that not needed?

 

The crank and cam sensors are the same.

The crank and cam sensors are the same.

 

Right. That pretty much covers it.

See,their LEGO's.

OK here's a link to my cracked cylinder wall in a 2000 Forester 2.5 SOHC. Crack goes almost all the way down outside wall of cylinder and across top edge. Too bad they had to put that thin spot in the wall, of course that's where it will crack first -every time! Engine ran quite well, but displayed classic leaking HG symptoms.

 

Just found a 2004 Forester 2.5 SOHC from a local yard with 49k miles for $1050, 1 year parts warranty. Hope my swap goes well!

 

http://main.experiencetherave.com/subaru/images/dbfitz_cracked_cyl.jpg

Edited March 31, 200917 yr by dbfitz

Anybody know what thread (size, etc.) is used on the EGR fitting on a 2004 SOHC 2.5? I would like to just put a plug in instead of crimping and welding the existing pipe- thanks