Rebuilding Head from 2013

[ML]

I'm about to start an engine build and I bought a spare motor that was from an early 2014 that had a spun bearing. I have torn it down to the block and sent it to the engine shop to begin. Looking through some old posts here I find that they changed the valves/rocker arms/ rocker pivots in later 2014. So I looked at the pivots and they are definitely from the earlier version so my question is should I be ordering all the updated components instead of reusing the older design stuff? And is the head itself good to rebuild with these updated components or do I need to just find a used head that already has all these updates? I was only going to change valve springs originally.

[ML]

specifically relating to this post:

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/show...&postcount=642

Originally Posted by Xero-Limit

Good catch.

A few tidbits here as we're tearing down into a 3rd FA20 just in the last 4 weeks...

2014/07 appears to be the cutoff for when subaru had a field day and made some major changes to the FA20. Valves, valve stem seals, rocker oilers, rockers all appear to have changes right around there (though could have been in steps). We still have to measure the 3rd fa20 (15 wrx) to see where they left off there, but clearly subaru had enough reason to change around the whole head specification. While we can't speculate exactly what the reasons may be, I think it is fair to say that the later motors have had some additional input in regards to what the engineers think is a better approach.

FYI for those doing this themselves, the VIN based parts lookup is not accurate here. Valve lenghts, stem seal bore, and rocker specs need to be measured.

[NoHaveMSG]

The difference in the rocker pivots is just the size of the oiling hole. Not huge, but they are smaller and may help with oil pressure. Not 100% sure. As someone who has lost an engine from kicking out the rocker arms, I would run the newer valves and rockers. The newer valve has a longer stem and the rocker a deeper pocket where the pivot sits. I plan to upgrade my spare motor to prevent this issue.

[ML]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

The difference in the rocker pivots is just the size of the oiling hole. Not huge, but they are smaller and may help with oil pressure. Not 100% sure. As someone who has lost an engine from kicking out the rocker arms, I would run the newer valves and rockers. The newer valve has a longer stem and the rocker a deeper pocket where the pivot sits. I plan to upgrade my spare motor to prevent this issue.

Trying to source the newer parts so far seems to be a moot point as the rockers alone from Subaru would cost about $600. Between my two 2013 heads I think I have enough of the smaller pivots though.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ML

Trying to source the newer parts so far seems to be a moot point as the rockers alone from Subaru would cost about $600. Between my two 2013 heads I think I have enough of the smaller pivots though.

Shit, you're right. The newer valves are another 500 bucks. Might be easier to source used newer heads or just go with the rocker retainer kit.

[ML]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Shit, you're right. The newer valves are another 500 bucks. Might be easier to source used newer heads or just go with the rocker retainer kit.

Also after looking at the retainer kit, I'm convinced that some work on the lathe and right retainer clip you could make your own for pretty cheap.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by ML

Also after looking at the retainer kit, I'm convinced that some work on the lathe and right retainer clip you could make your own for pretty cheap.

Likely custom made, which really isn't that big of an obstacle if someone wanted to tackle it.

[makinen]

Originally Posted by ML

Also after looking at the retainer kit, I'm convinced that some work on the lathe and right retainer clip you could make your own for pretty cheap.

Yes, it is feasible to make your own like me.

[ML]

Originally Posted by makinen

Yes, it is feasible to make your own like me.
Attachment 197717

awesome! Can you share how you made the clips? I've since decided to just do the k-swap but this could be a great resource for the community.