Subaru Head Bolts: Replace or not Replace?

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura) 11/25/2018 at 23:36 • Filed to: None

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2007 Impreza Outback 2.5L. Replacing head gaskets. Conflicting opinions on whether to replace the head bolts, and $100 for both sides . What sez Oppo?

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/25/2018 at 23:55

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No reason to replace. Just use OEM gaskets and it will be fine.

Quadradeuce > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/25/2018 at 23:56

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What’s the total cost on this project sans head bolts?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Quadradeuce 11/26/2018 at 00:04

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Much. My daughter/son-in-law’s car. Manual trans 5th gear went out. Son-in-law’s father has scored a transmission somewhere and is having the heads reworked because the head gaskets are leaking. The opinions are heavily leaning toward do not need to replace. Son-in-law’s father says he has learned that the head bolts are not torque-to-yield, but torque-to-set at 60 lb-ft. It’s his call, since he is 800 miles away and doing all of the work. I’m just ordering the parts from Rock Auto and having them shipped to him.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 00:06

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Subaru headbolts are, to my knowledge, torque-to-set. Regardless of that, my recommendation is always to assume you will need to replace  and only decide after inspecting. Torque-to-set does not mean ‘good forever’ it just means ‘good till overtorqued or corroded.’

Quadradeuce > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 00:06

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In my book, replace if it's a minor cost upcharge.  But I'm not an expert. I've just watched people ruin a shit-ton of work and money by cheaping out.

PowderHound > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 00:18

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I always go on it is good insurance for any future issues. probably not super critical but if they are bad and they can prove it it is cheaper now

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 11/26/2018 at 00:30

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Right. If it were my car, I’d probably buy the bolts. But it’s my son-in-law’s car and his father is doing the work and I’m buying the parts and he feels confident that he doesn’t need the bolts. It’s his call, but I was eager to hear what the Oppos had to say about it.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 03:16

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IIRC all Subaru head bolts are torque-to-yield, so if they're coming out it's good practice to put new ones in. I’ve just had my Legacy engine reconditioned by a very well regarded Subaru mechanic, and he recommended r eplacing the head bolts . This is on the EZ30 engine, which is certainly less finicky (or perhaps more tolerant to abuse) than the EJ25.

Derpwagon > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 03:50

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A extra hundred bucks for cheap insurance. If it were  me I’d do it. Necessary? Maybe not. Peace of mind? Yeah.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 04:20

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we never replaced them

we use to have the Subaru dealer here in town

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Quadradeuce 11/26/2018 at 10:50

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Previous owner of my ‘06 spent about $3500  on head gasket replacement. It included some other “while you are in there” stuff but it was quite the pretty penny!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 10:52

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Sounds like a fun project. Might as well just include that, even if it might be unecessary. I know that project is a massive undertaking so $100 on some bolts is pocketchange in comparison. I doubt mine were replaced during the headgasket job, since the receipt from the previous owner didnt indicate it. 

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 12:01

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ARP head studs. Studs over bolts every day of the year. If your already in there put it back better than stock

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Quadradeuce 11/26/2018 at 12:32

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Yup, when I did the carbon clean on my car, I bought all new gaskets, even though most write ups have you reusing them. Ended up being an $500 endeavor but some of that was also plugs and filters. Better to have and not need, than to not have and need them. I ended up tweaking a few gaskets during removal and was glad to have the parts on hand.

You can always return the parts if not opened or used. 

CaptDale - is secretly British > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 13:15

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We never replace the head bolts here at the Su baru dealer, but most of the downtown shops do. We don’t see any comebacks from head gasket jobs failing, so I guess it is up to you.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > CaptDale - is secretly British 11/26/2018 at 13:26

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Well, if you’re at a Subaru dealership, you should know. Thanks for the reply.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 11/26/2018 at 15:56

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I replaced them when I did an engine swap in my 2001 Forester. I replaced the head gaskets, timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys, and head bolts. I cheaped out on head bolts once on a different car and when the head gasket failed for a second time I vowed never to go the cheap route again.