In a short 4.5 hours, I had the old engine out and was getting ready to install the new engine. I was getting ready to remove the flexpalte and discovered it was cracked in many places. there was rust in some of the cracks so I believe that has been cracked for a while.
I guess this engine swap may have saved me a shattered flexplate and a tow later down the road..
Pictures in my locker:
http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?mohrds|7224
Doug