Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

I had a HVLA that just wouldn't stop tapping, so I sent a spare set in to get refurbed and thought I'd just swap them out and be done with it. I got the cams out (only after crafting some special tools to access some ridiculously hard to get to valve cover bolts), pulled the HVLA's, and that's when I saw the real problem. Apparently, one of the sleeves that the HVLA's run in has slid inward all the way to the head casting preventing oil from reaching the oil port on the HVLA...result, tapping. I do have a spare set of used heads that look pretty good. My question is, since I'm already down to a bare head on the drivers side, is it "possible" to remove/replace a SVX head while the engine is still in the car. I really don't have the room or hoist to pull the engine, but I don't want to get halfway into it then realize it's impossible due to the head bolts being to long and hitting the frame before they're completely out of the block. Anyone ever done this? Inquiring minds want to know, and 'any' input would be greatly appreciated. I need to get it done before the weather gets to cold out here.

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

Intentional bump...5 yards, 1st down. :D
Seriously. Anyone ever removed the driver's side head in the car?

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

I'm pretty sure it can be done, but I personally would pull the motor, just because it's such an easy motor to pull. If you think about it, the head bolts don't necessarily have to come all the way out, they can still be in the head, and just pull them all out with the head. Plus, there's a lot more room on the sides with the valve covers off.

I haven't done it though, that's just my guess.

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

Don't think it can be done. The long head bolts won't let it happen

Keith:cool:

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

I know that on Outbacks, etc. you can do a head gasket job with the engine in place, but why?
The engine is not difficult to pull out, and you can actually see what you are cleaning.
You end up with a better job.
For me it would be much faster as well.
However,
Young Tom would be done by now.:(

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

I will confirm that it CAN be done. I changed both head gaskets on my first '92 pearl about 5 years ago with the engine in the car. I DID unbolt the motor mounts and put a floor jack under the front of the engine to raise it up sufficiently above the frame rails to access everything. Would I do it that way again? No, but I didn't have access to an engine hoist at the time and I'd never pulled a Subaru engine. Now that I have, I can also confirm that Subaru engines are ridiculously easy to pull compared to most transverse-mounted FWD engines these days.

Furthermore, I bet I'm one of the few members of this board who's actually been to Pacific, MO!

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

Its like 4 bolts, 2 nuts and some hoses/wires to yank the engine. Not hard at all.

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

The votes are in, pull the engine it is. Thanks everyone for your input! And Davew833, I'm glad you survived your encounter with Pacific. I came here from Denver 27 years ago (wife's from here)....haven't been able to escape. ;)

Re: Uh oh, $#*!, not what I thought it was....
 

I used to live down highway 50 in Owensville (Population 2,249) so I passed through Pacific going back and forth to St. Louis on occasion.