Free UPS Ground On All Orders Over $75

Build Your Own Head Gasket Kit

Six-StarĀ®

New product

Get what you want, and only what you want by building your own gasket kit. Every car has different needs and a custom kit will keep you on budget. Includes our exclusive install guide!

More details

$109.95

  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • No
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • No
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • No
  • No
  • Yes

We Accept:
We Accept:
See Details*
Smart Quality Parts offers an industry leading 2 YEAR, UNLIMITED MILEAGE warranty on all parts purchased. If a part fails within this time period we will replace it or refund the full value of the part purchased. Visit our Terms page to see our entire policy.
Product Options
  
  Quantity:
Model    * Required
Timing Belt
Timing Belt
The timing belt has to be removed to replace head gaskets, and is much harder to replace later. Subaru recommends replacement every 105k miles.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $58.95]
Valve Cover Gasket Kit
Valve Cover Gasket Kit
The valve covers are removed to get to the head gaskets, and the gaskets are almost never reusable.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $64.95]
Thermostat
Thermostat
An often overlooked and inexpensive piece of insurance for the cooling system. We’ve seen problems after overheating or with cheap aftermarket alternatives, make sure you grab a Six Star quality thermostat.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $24.95]
Intake Manifold Gaskets
Intake Manifold Gaskets
Intake leaks can cause poor running and other damage, these are very easy to replace with a head gasket repair.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $11.95]
Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
Exhaust Manifold Gaskets
While not as critical as the intake gaskets, exhaust leaks can also cause headaches with fueling as well as noise. These are the gaskets for the bottom of the heads.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $12.95]
Camshaft Seals
Camshaft Seals
While they do not have to be removed for head gasket repairs, these seals will leak over time and to replace them later would require removal of the timing belt. Very easy to do now.
 
No
 
 
Yes (4 Cam DOHC Engine)
[Add $17.95]
 
Yes (2 Cam SOHC Engine)
[Add $17.95]
Cam Plugs
Cam Plugs
Cam Plugs are key for completing your full engine reseal. It is wise to reseal the cam plugs while your motor is apart.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $15.94]
Crankshaft Seal (Front)
Crankshaft Seal (Front)
Just like the camshaft seals, this is a 5 minute job now or a 4 hour job later.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $8.95]
Crankshaft Seal (Rear Main)
Crankshaft Seal (Rear Main)
Not accessible unless you are removing the engine (our recommended method). If you are, pick one of these up as it is usually the only time you will be looking at this seal.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $14.95]
Drive Belts
Drive Belts
Subaru recommends replacement every 60k miles or if cracking or wear is present. A 30 minute job on it's own or no time at all if done with major engine work. These are not generic belts, they are sized specifically for your application to ensure a perfect fit and long life. 1 belt set includes:

- Power Steering & Alternator Belt
- Air Conditioner Belt
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $25.80]
Separator Plate Kit
Separator Plate Kit
Older models came with a plastic plate at the rear of the engine that would warp and leak oil. This is the updated Subaru Genuine metal replacement kit.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $39.95]
Rear Piston Access Cover Oring
Rear Piston Access Cover Oring
Next to the rear separator plate, this oring is a 5 minute job and should be done with the other rear engine seals.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $8.95]
Coolant Crossover Pipe Orings
Coolant Crossover Pipe Orings
The crossover pipe runs underneath the intake manifold. These orings get brittle over time and if a leak develops it can cause overheating. They are very easy to replace now.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $12.95]
Oring for Oil Filler Tube
Oring for Oil Filler Tube
For the SOHC engines (2000 model year and newer in most cases, we'll notify you when selecting your car after checkout if this doesn't apply), this oring is for the oil filler tube where it bolts to the valve cover. This is removed when replacing a head gasket and is a great time to replace it. This area is subject to a lot of heat and this oring tends to get brittle and leak as a result.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $7.95]
Oil Filter and Crush Gasket
Oil Filter and Crush Gasket
You’re changing the oil, and will want one of these.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $8.95]
Water Pump and Gasket
Water Pump and Gasket
While Subaru has no replacement interval for water pumps, a failure can be catastrophic. With a timing belt life of 105k miles, this is always recommended when the belt is off or the engine apart as good insurance and peace of mind.
 
No
 
 
Yes- (2005 and Newer Legacy/Outback/Impreza Models)
[Add $69.95]
 
Yes- (2002 and Newer Forester)
[Add $69.95]
 
Yes- (All Other Models)
[Add $69.95]
Head Bolt Set
Head Bolt Set
Many repair guides will advise new head bolts as they are torque to yield bolt.
 
No
 
 
Yes- (1995-1999 Legacy/Outback/GT 2.5 and 1998 Forester)
[Add $74.95]
 
Yes- (All Other Models)
[Add $74.95]
Timing Belt Tensioner
Timing Belt Tensioner
Just like the water pump, the timing belt tensioner is a crucial component that failure could result in major damage. Replacement now requires no additional labor.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $99.95]
Timing Belt Idler Pulleys (Set, tensioner not included)
Timing Belt Idler Pulleys (Set, tensioner not included)
Same as the tensioner, the timing belt pulleys are critical to the engine and will become rough and wear over time.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $65.95]
Spark Plug Wire Set
Spark Plug Wire Set
An often overlooked tune up component, rubber spark plug wires will degrade over time (and especially if the valve cover gaskets have been leaking oil into the spark plug tubes).
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $54.95]
Spark Plug Set
Spark Plug Set
One Subaru engines, these are notoriously hard to reach once the engine is in the car. Replace them now and save some time! Age is 30k-60k depending on your year and model.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $11.95]
Radiator Hose Set (2)
Radiator Hose Set (2)
Rubber will become brittle and fail over time, the result of which can cause lots of damage. The two radiator hoses take most of the abuse and would be our top recommended priority over 100k miles.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $43.95]
Coolant Hose Package (not incl radiator hoses)
Coolant Hose Package (not incl radiator hoses)
While failure is not as common as the two radiator hoses above, the other coolant hoses such as the water pump bypass and heater hoses are just as susceptible to failure over time. Ideally all hoses should be done with an engine repair job like this. This will include all other engine bay coolant hoses other than the radiator hoses above (order both for a full hose package).
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $94.95]
Paper Version of our exclusive Head Gasket Installation Guide
Paper Version of our exclusive Head Gasket Installation Guide
A hard copy, printed in full color, of our detailed how-to guide. This is handy for bringing out to the garage and having nearby when performing a head gasket repair. *NOTE: Digital download is included with your purchase already at no extra cost, this add-on is just for a hard copy.
 
No
 
 
Yes
[Add $11.95]
  
  Quantity:

*Base price is for the pair of head gaskets. Select 1 add-on to qualify for pricing and free install guide.

If you are here then you may already know about the headaches regarding Subaru head gaskets. We feel you, and want to offer the best possible replacement parts so that this is a job that only needs to be done once for the remainder of the long life of your beloved Subaru.

Subaru head gaskets have been trouble since the mid-90s and despite numerous efforts to make changes and improve the gaskets being used, we would still see repeat failures even after repairs were done properly. Being an independent Subaru-only repair facility, we sought to find a better alternative.

Six Star head gaskets are the best gaskets you can get for your Subaru. Period. Six Star has taken the ā€œupdatedā€ version of Subaru’s factory multi-layer steel gaskets and improved them by beefing up the compression sealing surfaces and adding a high strength Viton coating on all surfaces. The combination of these features make these far more resistant to sudden temperature changes and any stretching or movement of the aluminum engine components, both factors that we believe contribute to factory head gasket failures.

As an engine warms up, aluminum will expand slightly. Since Subaru engines use two aluminum heads and an aluminum block in the middle, there is a lot of room for shifting and strain to occur during this time. Repeat this warm-up several thousand times over the course of many miles and eventually the gaskets that sit in between these components will fracture and leak. This is why we will see gasket failures as early as 40-60k miles in cases where cars are mainly driven short distances (and engines are just constantly being warmed up and cooled down). In cars that see mainly highway miles and long distance driving, we may see gaskets last until 150-200k miles.

Since switching over to Six Star at our repair facility about 10 years ago, we have never looked back. There is no longer a need to use that pesky Subaru Coolant Conditioner, no special copper spray coating required either. Just follow the proper installation procedures and proper head torque sequence (included with gasket purchase) and you’ll never have to do this again.

Subaru coolant conditioner is NOT recommended.

Minimum Handling Time1
Max Handling Time3

At Smart Service (and Smart Quality Parts), we have been carrying and using the Six Star brand in our repair facility for over 15 years. Since the majority of our in-house technicians are Subaru factory trained we understand the benefit and need for correctly fitting and functioning replacement parts. The benefit of being an independent facility is that we are not required to use the Genuine Subaru stamped parts but unlike other independents, we didn't want to use aftermarket parts just to cut costs and increase our margins.


We found Six Star in that search for the perfect balance between OEM quality and a more affordable price by cutting Subaru out as a middleman. We supplement with the Genuine Subaru parts where we feel that is needed or required if Six Star doesn't manufacture a certain part, but we mostly use Six Star because more often than not the part is identical to what you would buy at the dealer.


The description below outlines the color and sticker system on the parts you may receive. Please know that 90%+ of the Six Star parts we carry are the Gold Star OEM designation and the Red Star options are just as good in our opinion (see our replacement oil filter for example, you can see it cut open next to a Genuine Subaru filter there is no difference at all).



We offer our own private Six Star label parts that identifies OEM parts with a gold star:



and alternative source parts with a red star:






  • Genuine = Exact part you would purchase at your Subaru dealer.

  • OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer. The part was made by the exact same manufacturer that made the original part for your car. For example if you open a genuine Subaru wheel bearing you will find that the bearing is an NSK bearing. If you buy that same bearing OEM you're getting the same part.

  • Alternative Source = These are parts that are manufactured by an indepedent aftermarket parts facility. Our alternative source parts are put through the rigors at Smart Service before we offer them online.


Follow us on facebook