1998 Subaru motor swap

If you replace the head gaskets with modern multi-layer gaskets you probably won't have a problem. Look up how to do it correctly as the engine should be pulled to do it right. If the heads are warped they can be surfaced. You can swap engines if they are compatible but you don't say what year/model car your donor is.

If you swap engines out I would replace the head gaskets, water pump, timing belt, timing belt idler wheels and maybe the head bolts too. This work will be fairly easy with the engine out of the car.

The donor is a 1998 Forester as well. I'm sure every areas mechanics prices differentiate, but do you think it would be more cost efficient to resurface heads and replace head gasket or complete motor swap with other minor replacements that you mentioned? Another concern is the heads not just being warped, but if they're cracked as well..

Always have the heads crack tested when doing any head work, especially when you have leaks. I would evaluate both engines before deciding which engine to use. Clearly you are being smart about your project so keep researching and investigating before committing to a plan of action. If the donor engine runs well and has no obvious issues I would probably go with it.

HANG ON! The original DOHC 2.5i motor you have is FAMOUS for NOT suffering head gasket repair successfully, as the failure model is high-pressure percolation, NOT simply atmospheric leakage (like the simpler SOHC 2000-2012 motors). Too often we've rebuilt old DOHC motors to have them come apart from catastrophic rod failure within a few months of buttoning them up. Just DON'T do it! You can try the untouched replacement motor, but only if cheap and your karma protects against eventual high- pressure explosion. These first DOHC motors were too complex for their geometry and thermodynamic stresses, and should by now all be relegated to recycling. Gooid luck...but protect your pocketbook.

That may be Guru but my dad's 99 Subaru has well over 200k miles on the original head gaskets. Once I told him about Subaru anti- leak, his tiny coolant loss stopped. He does of course drive it like an old man which he his.

Isn't 99 SOHC though?

I Think some F's had the new SOHC motor, but all Legs/OBs didn't get it until '00.

99 might have been like a half-n-half kinda deal.. wonder if opposedforces would have some details regarding vin # counts, etc.