Getting faster and faster, at rebuilds that is.

[douglas vincent]

OK, I pulled the engine again. Pulled both heads and replaced the head gaskets.

There WERE NOT any obvious signs of damage to the gaskets, and the pistons and valves were not steam cleaned in any way shape or form. There was not any wierdness and the block and heads appear to be flat with my straightedge.

Is there anything else that would cause exhaust gasses to get into the coolent channels? Nothing that I can think of.

[206er]

a cracked block or head is the only other reason I can think of, assuming the gasket and gasket surfaces arent to blame. you are absolutely certain that the gasket isnt to blame? maybe there is a pinhole through it somewhere.

[douglas vincent]

I am sitting in a corner laughing uncontrollably. Someone get me a straight jacket please.

I went to turn the motor over and realized I didnt put the clutch in! HA HA HA HA. i am tired.

Out comes the motor again. 4 times in three days.

[douglas vincent]

Crack block question.

A - Have you ever seen or heard of a crack turbo block?

B- where would a block crack that would allow/force air into the cooling system? I would think it would have to be the cylinder bore, but that would lead to bore damage, and my bores were clean.

[206er]

A-not personally, but anythings possible.
B-yeah, I agree. the only way to be sure it isnt cracked is to get it magnafluxed. from what the machinist told me, cracks can be small enough to not see them when cool but open up more when the motor gets hot. not sure what the effect on bore wear would be. seems like the heads would crack before the block would, but hey.

[douglas vincent]

OK. All back together. Drove it up to get gas.

And its still fucked. Blowing huge amounts of air out of the radiator.

So either the new set of head gaskets are incredibly bad, my one rebuilt head is bad, the older head is bad, or the block is cracked.

I'm pooped.

I have to park it for a few weeks.

What a fucking mess.

[Gonzoturbo]

I went thru this last time I rebuilt my engine. Nothing I did would keep the engine from heating. I felt really stupid when I realized I kept missing the last 90 degree turn when torquing the heads.

[douglas vincent]

Gonzo, I would be the biggest moron in the world if that was the problem. I hope I am not a moron. It does cross the mind though....


So, my obsessive complusive disorder to get my wagon running is over for now.

I pulled it out (the fifth time) and tore it 100% down. Its going into the machine shop to be magnafluxed and honed. I am willing to bet they do this for free instead of replacing my cylinder head.

I decided to just go the extra mile tonight and get it over with and all the mess cleaned up.

The engine was HOT!!!!!!! considering it had only run about 15 minutes max. EVERYTHING, including the motor mount bolts were too hot to touch.

So, if the blocks not cracked, then I must be a moron and been having head gasket issues. But considering I have done 4-5 sets of head gaskets and NEVER had a problem, I am worn out and confused.

I am going on vacation for a week on Wednsday so I will be nowhere near my Subarus.

[douglas vincent]

Went down to the cylinder head shop today and showed them the screwed cam in the screwed head. They admit, cause they have to, that it was something they did. I gave them the option of magnafluxing my turbo block, checking it for flaws and honing it out instead of replacing my head. I am going to also have them rebuild my turbo heads, but stick NA cams in them.


Possibly stupid/bad news. The exhuast ports on the rebuilt head I kept may be cracked. If you rub your finger inside the rebuilt head, the feeling is sticky. On the old head the feeling is dry and gritty. Hmmmmmmm. Next time I have used heads rebuilt of unknown orgin, I WILL be have them pressure tested.