WTB: 2.5 complete engine for 1997 Outback 2.5AT (friends in a jam)

[Fuzz541]

Think you've had a bad week? Try my friends' week:

Their 97 Outback had some engine problems. A supposedly ethical local mechanic has strung them along with misdiagnoses and add-on work for several weeks. Now he tells them that after $750 JUST IN DIAGNOSTIC WORK, and a whole lot of "oops, guess it's something else," the car will need a ton of belts / pulleys / head / valve / etc. work.

On top of that, they came home from a New Year's vacation to find their beloved dog half dead. She had been it by a car, with a broken back and massive abrasions on her scalp. She looks like the Terminator just before he gets blowed up in the gasoline truck.

So they're screwed on the car, and screwed on HUGE vet bills to rebuild the dog Steve Austin style.

I suggested they bail on the whole engine repair and just drop in a new engine. So that's what I'm after: a decent 2.5 Subaru engine that will bolt into their 1997 Outback AT without any fuss or wizardry. Bonus would be somebody willing to help with the swap for a reduced rate.

Huge karma points will come your way. Thanks in advance.

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[RB5 Clone]

classic case, illustrates the value of learning to do your own mechanical work.

get them to a junkyard. used 2.5s go for $1500 no prob. make sure donor engine came from an auto, otherwise simple swap gets more complex (read add'l $$)

DG

[Fuzz541]

Totally. I actually think the husband is resourceful enough to buy a manual and do the work, but they live in B*** F*** Egypt, with a muddy driveway and no tools. Time is also an issue - they can only go so long with one car, with one kid in preschool and another almost 2 years ole. Having an expert of some kind do the work right the first time, quickly, would make it a lot easier for them.

[Fuzz541]

I've already given them the info for Auto Creek and Countryside Used Auto Parts, probably the two biggest Subaru related junkyards in Vermont (I got my tranny from Countryside), and the address for car-part.com. I'll be doing a little snooping around myself. Thanks again in advance for any help.

[rabbitnutz]

if you can't find anythign, and they actually do need new heads and stuff, i have DOHC EJ22 heads for sale.

[RB5 Clone]

VT is the Official Scooby Capital of USA, esp for late 90s Outback wagons!

there MUST be independent shops in reasonable proximity that can handle a straightforward motor swap.

sheesh, if that's not an option, it's almost raining old Scooby motors in parts of VT...except when it's snowing 'em Rust claims the body of 2.2 Leggies long before the motors give out. 265K miles? That's a "late model."

So get the husband to Home Depot or Sears and buy a basic mechanix tool set. Wait till one day when the muddy drive is frozen and it's not snowing. Set up 3 2x4s in the time-honored "VT National Tripod" and use a come-along to twitch that busted motor out and drop the new one in. bolt bolt bolt, plug plug plug, hook up the gas lines, fill the oil and rad, and off they go to preschool!

remember the VT state motto: Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention

turn the dial of the Wayback Machine to 1976, and the same thing held true in VT with aircooled VWs. Don't ask how I know this. Am reluctant to divulge certain classified info of my past lives.

DG
former longhair denizen of a muddy back road in Dorset, VT
67 VW bus pedaler back in the day

[Fuzz541]

The Source is a great shop in very close proximity. They did my tranny swap (from what else? a 1997 Outback ). I will check with them in the morning. In the meantime, I'm looking for backup plans from t3n nesic.

[Fitz]

I guess, what's to say it's not just a blown head gasket on a phase 1 DOHC motor? Why replace the whole thing? Motor comes out in 90 minutes... assuming you have all the needed gaskets there, you coud be talking about a weekend in total.

Where in "vermint?"

Fitz

[kaisersouse]

i wouldnt base the need for a new motor on what that idiot told them

[Fuzz541]

It's not a matter of the idiot telling them they need an engine.

The idiot told them it needs $1800 in "whatnot" work and $2000 in head work. They're already $750 in and the dog is absorbing the rest of their money. I'm not the only one that's told them they might be better off just swapping the mill rather than rebuilding it.

Central VT, near Montpelier.

[Immerkuhl]

You could be a late Santa and offer the motor from your SVX. That'll get the kids to school fast!

Best of luck to your friends. I wish I knew more about motors or I'd offer to help out with the possible swap.


oh yeah one more thing...any idea when they'll get those damn rocks off Elm street. That really makes commuting pain in the ass.

Later.

-M

[Fuzz541]

3-4 months minimum until it's cleared. There will be a crew of wild flying canucks dancing around on the rocks this week, setting bolts, assessing stability, tearing down loose stuff, etc. They specialize in securing remote railroad passes and high-mountain highway cliffs, so this should be small potatoes.

For those who are wondering, this is what he's talking about:

Local paper article with good photo: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs....512280370/1002

TV news article w/video: http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BOS11555/

Google: Montpelier Rockslide

[Immerkuhl]

Well i guess i'll just have to stay at work later then...might as well get paid workin' instead of gettin mad sitting at that light for 5 turns at 5:30.

Cheers.

[Fuzz541]

I forget where you need to get to, but I'd suggest that if it's Town Hill Road, you use Barre, Sibley and College. If it's Route 12, use Terrace Street, then cross over on Portal Road.

[e_a_olson]

Can't get there from here...