98 Legacy Outback Engine - Interference or Non?

[NuclearBacon]

Curious about the engine on a 98 Legacy Outback with a 4EAT (*shudder*) is it an interference engine? is that a 2.2L or a 2.5L?

If the Headgasket went on it... would i machine the heads? would i need to?? i know usually thats what you do.. but with my EA82T i didnt.... and i raced on it... and i won!!

haha, so what do you think??

[Arctic Assassian]

interferance. 2.5l Do not machine the heads!!! Clean the decks carefully, then just replace the gaskets. Also pour in a bottle of cooling system conditioner from the dealer. The part number is SOA635071. Its like three bucks, and the engine is designed to have it in it.

[NuclearBacon]

That sounds like excellent advice! thank you!

[skid542]

Artic is correct. You don't really want to machine the heads. The 98 did come with either a 2.2 or a 2.5 motor. Both of these motors are interference motors. The 2.2 changed in 95-96 and this change made it an interference motor - they changed the piston dish.

There are also plenty of instances, as you found, where you don't have to machine the heads if a gasket goes. Just check it with a machinist's level and if it's still flat, run with it and just clean it up.

[dropdfocus]

Yep. I had the head gaskets tank on my wife's '98 LGT and it spiked a couple of times before I could get it home safely. I just straight edged the head surface and checked for any gap. None outside of normal spec. From what I've been told, you've have to get them stupid hot for a long duration before they begin to warp.

Surface cleaned them wife a die grinder and an abrasive pad. New multi-layer gaskets from the dealer & I was back in business. Haven't had an issue since.