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realistically, (i'm typically pretty handy with the steel) how long can i expect to replace both cam seals and the crank seal? I won't be doing the timing belt yet, but i would like to replace those seals before my little road trip in 2 weeks. (I havent yet scanned threw my haynes manual, not sure if it lists those procedures seperatley or not)

Are they relatively easy on this car? (like everything else) I'm assuming the timing belt has to come off to replace them right? Any tips or tricks i should know?

Thanks

As you figured, the timing belt has to come off. If you're remotely close for a timing belt or water pump change, I'd suggest doing them now.

The main brunt of the work is pulling the timing belt off. Getting the oil seals out can be a little tricky. What I've found to be the easiest method is to shove a small screw driver into the side of the seal, and then use the head or another screwdriver handle as a pivot point so you can press the handle of the screwdriver you shoved into the seal towards the head and hopefully press out the seal. Once you have it figured out it's not too bad. I sweared & cussed at them for a while until I figured that out.

A seal puller would also work if you can get it to fit in there. I wasn't so lucky with getting it to fit.

Also because of the seals, I find it easier to remove the oil pump, reseal the pump, and replace the o-ring between the block & pump. While I do that work, I can change the crank seal with relative ease.

The rear passenger cam seal is just an o-ring, and pretty easy to replace.

Here's some pics from my timing belt change
www.main.experiencetherave.com/subaru/images/timingbelt

Legacy777 wrote:As you figured, the timing belt has to come off. If you're remotely close for a timing belt or water pump change, I'd suggest doing them now.

The main brunt of the work is pulling the timing belt off. Getting the oil seals out can be a little tricky. What I've found to be the easiest method is to shove a small screw driver into the side of the seal, and then use the head or another screwdriver handle as a pivot point so you can press the handle of the screwdriver you shoved into the seal towards the head and hopefully press out the seal. Once you have it figured out it's not too bad. I sweared & cussed at them for a while until I figured that out.

A seal puller would also work if you can get it to fit in there. I wasn't so lucky with getting it to fit.

Also because of the seals, I find it easier to remove the oil pump, reseal the pump, and replace the o-ring between the block & pump. While I do that work, I can change the crank seal with relative ease.

The rear passenger cam seal is just an o-ring, and pretty easy to replace.

Here's some pics from my timing belt change
www.main.experiencetherave.com/subaru/images/timingbelt

I have a pretty sweet set of seal pullers, I would hope one of them would work. How hard is it to pull the oil pump? Is it much more labor while you're in there?

Do you have the part number for the oring between the block and the pump?

The rear pass cam seal is just an oring, as opposed to the driver side cam seal? They are different?

It's a few more bolts to remove, and cleaning the oil pump surface to put more RTV silicone on. Also check the screws holding the backing plate on. They sometimes have a tendancy to back out. It's a little more work.

I don't know the part # off the top of my head.

It may be here
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=631

Or you can d/l the parts manual and look it up.
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=30531

There is no rear cam seal for the driver's side, only the one on the passenger side, which is an o-ring vs. a seal for the front seals.

Legacy777 wrote:
There is no rear cam seal for the driver's side, only the one on the passenger side, which is an o-ring vs. a seal for the front seals.

oops, typo, I mean is the passenger side cam seal different from the driver side cam seal? Strange, every car i've seen they were both the same type of seal.

In the front, yes the passenger & driver side cam seal are the same.

Took me & a buddy about 2-2.5 hours from start to finish to do this job (t-belt / tensioner + cam/crank seals + antifreeze change + oil change) on both of my Imprezas.
I had the crank timing gear get stuck on the crank on 1 car (stock OBS), & the Radiator Fans are technically behind the alt belt on the OBS-t (Koyo BIG Impreza radiator - stock fan shroud notched for clearance) so that was a pain in the butt to get off.

I say change the crank & cam seals with every timing belt change as a cam seal let go on both my Imprezas causing MASSIVE oil leaks.