And so it begins....
 

Well guys, right now, resting on my garage floor is a 1998 Subaru EJ25 engine.
I picked it up last night for cheap.

I'll start collecting parts this winter, and hopefully somewhere next year it will be purring away in my 1970 Standard.

I'll post pictures of the process in this thread, and will also try to put it in a tech article.

I'm hoping to have it done next year so I can race a certain 'slo74' at the track :D :D :D

Wish me luck...

Rob.

You're on to me ! :hehehe:

Let me know if you need any help installing the thing. I'd like to see how it goes.

Sandeep

good luck with it. it should be a fun conversion. please do keep us posted with pics and a tech article.

Ok, for those of you who are interested, a little progress report.

http://www.vanbran.com/engine.jpg

Not a lot has happened, I've been working very, very slowly on taking the EJ25 apart so I can replace the head gaskets.
I needed some new tools and some McGyver engineering which slowed the process down:
http://www.vanbran.com/103_0392.jpg

I now need a 12-pt 14MM socket to remove the head.

I've removed the intake (complete with TB, injectors and all the wiring), the timing belt and crank pulley (killed a strap wrench in the process), the valve cover, cam sprockets and cams (from one side)

On the wiring front I have only one advise to anybody who wants to do a similar project: get all the wiring with the engine !!
It's been an absolute b!tch trying to find a wiring harness.
So far I bought one piece I already had (DOH!) and one piece that is partly cut up. I'm getting a very uncomfortable feeling that in the end it might have been cheaper to buy the $600 dealer harness.

I'm trying to get a hold of a guy who has a used engine adapter for sale. But so far no luck...

Anyway, at least I stay in my tradition of buying stuff too quickly without enough research (like I did with the wheels) :D

I'll keep you posted...

Rob.

Quote:

I now need a 12-pt 14MM socket to remove the head.

I got one, you can come over and borrow it if you want.

I don't mind borrowing yours, but that would mean I'd pass up on a prefectly good reason to buy another tool :D :D

Where did you get it ?

Rob.

There is a sand rail company in I think California that does the scooby conversions. www.sandstallion.com They sell the Link engine manegment computer systems. They are a little on the expensive side but there are so many options that you can do with the computer. I was going to do the EJ-20det swap but decided to go air cooled because I hate wiring.:silly:

Got one of the heads off:

http://www.vanbran.com/EJ25-1.jpg

Rob.

Are those square pistons ? :eek:

Sandeep

Hehehe, nope, they are round, but have a square recess in them.
I guess it's either for valve clearance or to improve valve travel over the piston.

Rob.

Rob,
Why are you taking the engine apart ?
Have you come with a solution for the enormous deep sump? If so, how much less deep is it?
Thanks,
Walter

Hey Wally,

The headgasket was blown. These engines are known for it.
So I am replacing both headgaskets, cam seals and valve cover seals.
I'm also putting in a new timing belt, to be safe since this is an interference motor (I think that's what it's called if it is possible that the valves hit the piston).

As to the sump, there is a lower profile sump available that is used by the Vanagon guys who use Sube engines a lot.
I'm going to drop it in first and see how it sits, but since I am running 15" rims with low profiles, I'm pretty sure I need the custom sump.

Rob.

It would be worth your time to check the homebuilt aircraft people for a new wiring harness. When I checked (several years ago) I found two two people, one in upstate NY and one in Calgary or Winnipeg if I recall correctly, who made harnesses for the different sooby motors. They're a good deal because already cut right and avoid all the extra wiring Subaru uses to get to the ECU in the passenger compartment. It's a heck of a lot cleaner than trying to pull the stock harnesses apart and trim them, and they were less than half the dealer price.

What are you going to do for the ECU?

Oh, and while you're in there be sure to replace the water pump and front crank seal. You don't want to do all this again anytime soon.

Paul, thanks for the tip, but I just scored a complete wiring harness from a wrecking yard in NC.

I have the original ECU from the engine, so I should be ok there.
This week I also picked up all the gaskets and seals I need (including cam seal). I think I'll take my chances with the waterpump. IF it does brake it will be relatively easy to pull the engine since I have a removable rear apron.

I also picked up an alternator.

Next on the list are the adapter, radiator and fuel pump.

Rob.

Alright guys, time for an update.
The engine is back together, new headgaskets are in. I'm just waiting for the dealer to compress the timing belt tensioner so I can install the timing belt and covers again.

The adapter is ordered, but I'm still waiting for it (it's been over 3 weeks now :( ).

I also started with mounting the radiator. I took out the rear quarter windows and attacked the parcel tray area with my drill and wirebrush.
I then (badly) welded some brackets to the flat area to mount the rad.
http://www.vanbran.com/bug/images/conversion/rad1_l.jpg
http://www.vanbran.com/bug/images/conversion/rad2_l.jpg
http://www.vanbran.com/bug/images/co...admount1_l.jpg
http://www.vanbran.com/bug/images/co...admount2_l.jpg

I still need to weld a bracket to mount the top of the radiator, and then I can start hacking the firewall to make sure the air can get out.

Rob.