I may have the worst luck ever with engines.

[Excaliber]

My heads are 'studs' too, high riser studs at that.

Seriously, I can remove my heads but I DO have to take off a motor mount and jack up the engine for one side. I'm not crazy about the idea of removing the studs from the block myself. One side or both? As for me, I would do only the side that has a problem.

Whew, you do have some bad luck with motors Brent, I feel bad for you man.

[RICK LAKE]

First relax, Is it possible that the intake gasket is leaken into the #8 intake port. Before you go crazy, try and pressure test the coolant system. Next if you have an air compressor pressurize the cylinder with 100 psi and see if any bubbnle come out the coolant overfill tank. Is there any coolant in the oil? Start here first. As far as removing studs they sell a socket that fits over the top and has 3 roller pins in side. They put pressure on the threads with stripping them. 3/8" racket needed. You can install the studs the same way with the head in place. Where the heads ported to the MAX??? and who's heads are they? I hope it is a gasket Brent. Rub the bottle three times and wish Rick L.

[PatBuckley]

Brent -

Go to your local Subaru dealer and get a bottle of Subaru cooling system conditioner - put it in your cooling system, drive the car for 45 minutes and check the plugs again.

It is worth the try.

Pat

[Rick Parker]

Good idea Pat

But will Metric cooling system conditioner work on a car that has SAE threads?

[PatBuckley]

Only if you use .80 of the recommended amount.

Seriously - the conditioner I mentioned is not like that thick stuff (Barsleak?) you normally see and it works really well.

[Commander]

"Any of you around this place long enough know that I can't buy luck with engines. I'm so bummed right now."

Just what is the history on this engine?

Did you have it built somewhere, or did you build it?

When were the heads off last?