98 Legacy Outback Engine - Interference or Non?

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
NuclearBacon
Second Gear
Posts: 478
Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:50 am
Location: Chico, California
Contact:

98 Legacy Outback Engine - Interference or Non?

Post by 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??
-Luigi-
....Yes like nintendo
1987 GL10 Sedan 3.700 LSD
1988 XT6 FT4WD 3.900 Diff Lock
1992 EJ22T Touring Wagon 5MT Swap 4.111
Arctic Assassian
Third Gear
Posts: 935
Joined: Sat Apr 14, 2007 12:20 am
Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Post by 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.
Kickin' it old-school.
NuclearBacon
Second Gear
Posts: 478
Joined: Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:50 am
Location: Chico, California
Contact:

Post by NuclearBacon »

That sounds like excellent advice! thank you!
-Luigi-
....Yes like nintendo
1987 GL10 Sedan 3.700 LSD
1988 XT6 FT4WD 3.900 Diff Lock
1992 EJ22T Touring Wagon 5MT Swap 4.111
skid542
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2857
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2003 6:37 am
Location: North Idaho

Post by 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.
Lee

93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
dropdfocus
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1937
Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2003 5:57 am
Location: Williamsport, PA
Contact:

Post by 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.
Jason
'92 LSS "Trixie" - TD04, '06 WRX TMIC, Invidia D/P & TXS U/P, 3" APEX'i CBE, custom intake, TXS MBC & BPV
Perrin LCP, WRX & H6 brakes, S/S lines, Cusco H-brace & RSTB, AGX's, Progress springs, SimplySubie fender braces
Post Reply