legacycentral bbs

I have a 98 outback. I have changed the 2.5 DOHC once already due to head gaskets and now the gaskets have gone again! I have found a 2.2 SOHC(not sure on the year though from Japan) that has the duel port exhaust. I think the mounts and belhousings are the same on these motors but I am not sure on the rest?
#1 will my 2.5 intake bolt up to the 2.2?
#2 Can I keep my 2.5 ECM and wiring complete with the 2.2?
#3 Are power steering and A/C brackets going to be a problem (welding from scratch)?

I am not worried about the power loss just want a reliable car.
Ahren

it will bolt directly in.

#1 No. use the 2.2 intake manifold, with the 2.5 sensors, injectors and harnesses. swapping the throttle body may be necessary.
#2 Yes, if you do what is posted above.
#3 No, they will bolt on the same way, the only issue you might have is the 2.5 p/s lines are a little different then the 2.2, but you can bend them a little and they will work ok.

On another note, putting new headgaskets in the 2.5 is pretty simple once the engine has been removed, and would certianly cost you alot less then another engine. the updated gaskets from subaru are allegedly the cure to this problem. ive probably installed 30 sets of the new gaskets and havent seen one come back overheating yet.... Its too bad they didnt get replaced before the 2nd engine was installed.
good luck in whichever route you take

Thanks for the reply you are right. I should have installed new head gaskets on the 2nd motor before I installed it. The new motor had 50k KM from Japan so I took a gamble (I lost!) It ran flawless for 4 years just had to keep clearing the P0400 code. The original motor with over 300k had an EGR tube that went down to the cylinder head. The new motor the casting was not drilled and I was scared to drill it for fear of finding coolant. I over heated the new motor so I think I will look again for a new 2.5 and do the gaskets before I install it.
Thanks Ahren

how badly was it overheated? ive resealed a few that got pretty hot, but were fine after new gaskets

Not sure how bad it got. The rad was ice cold and the temp gage could not go any higher! Still had interior heat but I turned it on too late! (It still boiled over) I don’t have a nice straight edge for checking the block or head. I haven’t done much work on aluminum block motors.
Ahren

A straight edge is maybe $10 from a hardware store. I don't think turning on the heat earlier would have changed anything if the coolant wasn't circulating, so no need to feel guilty about that.

from experience, it will probably be fine.