Subaru Repair: 2.5 motor, piston slap, overhead cam

Question
I have a 2001 outback with 99000 miles. I am loosing a small amount of coolant and see steam occasionally, but can not locate the leak. It also has piston slap when it is very cold. I can get a 2001 motor out of a forester with about 25000 miles on it.Can you tell me if they are interchangeable. Thanks, Scott

Answer
Both should be 2.5L single overhead cam motors and should be interchangeable. You may have to switch over some of the external parts - coil, intake, stuff like that, but that should stand out as needing to be changed if you do. If you come across a specific item you are not sure about, get back to me here or e-mail me at tuckerserv@naxs.net. Good luck. Z