I'm getting my head gasket replaced, whatelse should I get done?

toddlamp · 09-05-2008, 07:15 AM

So it's time to bite the bullet and i'm going to get my engine torn down to figure out why/where i'm losing coolant. The head gasket is the prime suspect. Now, while the engine is out and in pieces i'd like to get some opinion as to whatelse I should get done. I don't have a tone of money, and the HG by itself is going to be an easy $2000. One of the suggestion I have is an EJ257 short block with some forged pistons and new connecting rods. That right there will bring me up to $4000.

What else can you guys think of that should/could get done while the engine is out? I already know that when they put it all back together my STi intake manifold will go on as will my GrpN engine mounts.

Let's hear your suggestions! And please include part pricing so I know where to go. Just note that i'm not looking to dump a truck load of cash. I'm just looking for some things to do so I don't have to pay twice for the labor.

Thanks!

pleiad7 · 09-05-2008, 07:26 AM

How many miles on your car?

toddlamp · 09-05-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pleiad7

How many miles on your car?

Just over 57,000. To add, all seals are going to be replaced in addition to the head gasket. Spark plugs too.

pleiad7 · 09-05-2008, 07:32 AM

You could have them do the timing belt service early... replace the water pump, etc. Another thing that we did on Subed with the TB service was to replace each and every fluid-carrying hose in the engine bay. Probably overkill, but we figured it would be good insurance.

bbottomley · 09-05-2008, 07:37 AM

Sorry for you, friend. Been there before with head gaskets (but not on Subaru). Only good thing I can say is that an impending head gasket failure once made my engine run so hot that I absolutely tore through the emissions test! It ate up all that bad stuff before it got to the tailpipe. That was back before they started looking at the temperature gauge.

guroove · 09-05-2008, 07:42 AM

TGV deletes? Ported/polished exhaust manifolds?

toddlamp · 09-05-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

TGV deletes? Ported/polished exhaust manifolds?

Hmmm, TGV deletes I might do. I'm curious if there are really benefits to doing that.

Exhaust manifold is already ported.

scubadoober · 09-05-2008, 10:41 AM

Tgv deletes will probably not make much of a difference unless your makin BIG horsepower. It'll make your idle rougher than it already is if that is possible.

AK SloPok · 09-05-2008, 11:22 AM

Why change the block? Unless it's damaged.. I would do a slight bore and a set of forged 100mm pistons. Maybe rods if you can find a deal on them. Otherwise keep our block, I haven't seen enough evidence our block is any worse than the STI.

toddlamp · 09-05-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK SloPok

Why change the block? Unless it's damaged.. I would do a slight bore and a set of forged 100mm pistons. Maybe rods if you can find a deal on them. Otherwise keep our block, I haven't seen enough evidence our block is any worse than the STI.

Thanks, i'll bring that up with them.

sirwilliam · 09-05-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pleiad7

You could have them do the timing belt service early... replace the water pump...

Forgot that I had the belts done, the water pump, and replace the existing thermostat w/ a crucial racing one. Don't forget the ARP head studs.

toddlamp · 09-05-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirwilliam

Forgot that I had the belts done, the water pump, and replace the existing thermostat w/ a crucial racing one. Don't forget the ARP head studs.

I'll look in thoe other maintenance parts. DO you remember what they cost?

I'm probably not going to bother with studs. I don't expect to take the engine apart again for a while.

sirwilliam · 09-05-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddlamp

I'll look in thoe other maintenance parts. DO you remember what they cost?

I'm probably not going to bother with studs. I don't expect to take the engine apart again for a while.

Unfortunately, no. It was over 2 years ago. I got most of the maintenance stuff from Jackie at Annapolis subaru and just had her ship it over to AndrewTech since there was a working account between the two. I paid a little extra to get a new OEM water pump vs. a re-manufactured one.

BAC5.2 · 09-06-2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK SloPok

Why change the block? Unless it's damaged.. I would do a slight bore and a set of forged 100mm pistons. Maybe rods if you can find a deal on them. Otherwise keep our block, I haven't seen enough evidence our block is any worse than the STI.

You should not be using 100mm pistons in stock sleeves. It'll split one of the sleeves. I've seen it more than a few times.

$2000 is about right for the labor, but $2000 is not going to buy you a built shortblock. $4000 will though. Make sure the motor builder is clear. Are they saying $4000 for the short block and $2000 for the labor to R&I the engine? If it IS $2000 for the built shortblock, I wouldn't trust it. For that price it would probably be a used core, with no machine work at all (unless they are doing the build labor for free).

TGV deletes are kind of pointless. On BIG power cars, we have seen them force the butterfly closed and then bend the butterfly so it sticks closed. It's not as easy as "oh we'll just snap those out!" You have to remove the TGV housings from the manifold (which means new gaskets there), drill out the screws and then pull them out.

Normal things I recommend are clutch, flywheel, all fluids, engine mounts, and doing the job right.

toddlamp · 09-06-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAC5.2

You should not be using 100mm pistons in stock sleeves. It'll split one of the sleeves. I've seen it more than a few times.

$2000 is about right for the labor, but $2000 is not going to buy you a built shortblock. $4000 will though. Make sure the motor builder is clear. Are they saying $4000 for the short block and $2000 for the labor to R&I the engine? If it IS $2000 for the built shortblock, I wouldn't trust it. For that price it would probably be a used core, with no machine work at all (unless they are doing the build labor for free).

TGV deletes are kind of pointless. On BIG power cars, we have seen them force the butterfly closed and then bend the butterfly so it sticks closed. It's not as easy as "oh we'll just snap those out!" You have to remove the TGV housings from the manifold (which means new gaskets there), drill out the screws and then pull them out.

Normal things I recommend are clutch, flywheel, all fluids, engine mounts, and doing the job right.

What exactly is the difference between the EJ255 and EJ257 shortblock?

I would really like to get the pistons and rods replaced. What has to be done in order to get the to work in my stock block?

Clutch and flywheel are pretty new.

09-05-2008, 07:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
toddlamp President of MarkyD fan club Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 10,179 Gallery: 1 iTrader: 11 / 100%	I'm getting my head gasket replaced, whatelse should I get done? So it's time to bite the bullet and i'm going to get my engine torn down to figure out why/where i'm losing coolant. The head gasket is the prime suspect. Now, while the engine is out and in pieces i'd like to get some opinion as to whatelse I should get done. I don't have a tone of money, and the HG by itself is going to be an easy $2000. One of the suggestion I have is an EJ257 short block with some forged pistons and new connecting rods. That right there will bring me up to $4000. What else can you guys think of that should/could get done while the engine is out? I already know that when they put it all back together my STi intake manifold will go on as will my GrpN engine mounts. Let's hear your suggestions! And please include part pricing so I know where to go. Just note that i'm not looking to dump a truck load of cash. I'm just looking for some things to do so I don't have to pay twice for the labor. Thanks! __________________ 06XT MT CGM Blouch TD05-18g 8cm equipped

09-05-2008, 07:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
pleiad7 The Seventh Sister Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Redneck yard of the week, near Forest(er)ville, CA Posts: 14,372 Gallery: 16 iTrader: 18 / 100%	How many miles on your car? __________________ -Silke 04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed" 98 Forester S ~ "Slynki" 92 SVX LS-L ~ x2

09-05-2008, 07:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
pleiad7 The Seventh Sister Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Redneck yard of the week, near Forest(er)ville, CA Posts: 14,372 Gallery: 16 iTrader: 18 / 100%	You could have them do the timing belt service early... replace the water pump, etc. Another thing that we did on Subed with the TB service was to replace each and every fluid-carrying hose in the engine bay. Probably overkill, but we figured it would be good insurance. __________________ -Silke 04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed" 98 Forester S ~ "Slynki" 92 SVX LS-L ~ x2

09-05-2008, 07:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
bbottomley Super Moderator Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New London, NH Posts: 5,247 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Sorry for you, friend. Been there before with head gaskets (but not on Subaru). Only good thing I can say is that an impending head gasket failure once made my engine run so hot that I absolutely tore through the emissions test! It ate up all that bad stuff before it got to the tailpipe. That was back before they started looking at the temperature gauge. __________________ 2003 XS Premium MT ● 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS MT ● Robin-Subaru Powered Generator

09-05-2008, 07:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
guroove Groovologist Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 2,255 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 8 / 100%	TGV deletes? Ported/polished exhaust manifolds? __________________ 2005 Obsidian Black Pearl XT w/4eat

09-05-2008, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
scubadoober Join Date: May 2008 Location: mtns of tenn Posts: 906 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Tgv deletes will probably not make much of a difference unless your makin BIG horsepower. It'll make your idle rougher than it already is if that is possible.

09-05-2008, 11:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
AK SloPok Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 74 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 2 / 100%	Why change the block? Unless it's damaged.. I would do a slight bore and a set of forged 100mm pistons. Maybe rods if you can find a deal on them. Otherwise keep our block, I haven't seen enough evidence our block is any worse than the STI. __________________ 04XT, HTA68, AP v.2, Cobb TBE, Brembo/Willwood

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