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Hard to believe I haven’t had a thread going for this project unless I missed something. Pics as I can become smart enough. Quick version: over on the dreaded book of face a good member of the Subaru vintage cult posted that this wagon was being Given Away. Money end of things I couldn’t take it for free and threw the family $100 which the grandson would up with after they passed it around three generations. That and I threw my tow guy savior buddy $450 and covered the tolls. That little or that much got the car home. A little too much to discuss in detail but the previous owner is a cool little old guy not much different than myself or my dad or maybe some of you too. OK my dad was never a project guy with any type of hoarding it he was and still is at 94 a hands on guy who seemed to be able to fix or maintain anything. Henry the previous owner had cars, motorcycles, and all sorts of machine/tool items and generally a crap load of cool stuff. This wagon is a bit of a forgotten bit as far as he was concerned. The car apparently has been stored on stands inside the garage since I think 1990 or so but he wasn’t sure if it was the 80’s or 90’s. The car shows signs it’s an original 65k (I think) car. But also shows strange repairs. Keep in mind what life was like back then for small Japanese cars here in the States. So the car came to me with 2wd exhaust rigged up. And I’m thinking the engine may be from a 2wd as well but I need to check the distributor and a couple things to verify. Meanwhile the engine I’m dropping into it now is from another free sort of 1978 4wd wagon. So at least I’m sure the car will once again have correct engine not that there’s much difference. Just ND vs Hitachi and little more. On lunch right now so I’ll post more soon. Gotta manga ! Ciao!

Depends on where it's coming from. Camshaft plug (distributor block-off plate)? No. Separator plate or rear main seal? Yes. Honestly those engines are ultra simple. I can have the engine out with a cherry picker in about 45 minutes. Wouldn't look for a younger Subaru unless it's rusted out. Those were about the peak of everything that was good about the brand. I'll stretch that maybe up through about 2004 but the EJ22 in that '95 was a better engine. And the 4EAT auto is really a tough unit if at all cared for. GD

Yep. I had the first AA lift, which didn't drop the rear crossmember like the BYB/PJD ones did (woa....I think that was 18 years ago...yuck). The rear suspension pivots around that front bushing, which is basically right at the front lower corner of the bodywork. So the tire swings forward from the centerline of the wheel well, but I don't think it gets any closer to the sheet metal. But maybe a not-rusty rocker (what's that?) would stick down a bit below that bushing and be a problem. I can't quite picture how it would all work

honestly, not too terribly worried about the vibration at this point - it seemed like it only happened at freeway speeds, and I really dont use the freeway much, so... 🤷‍♀️ it is so mild, and comes and goes that to me, it really is not a big concern yet. side note to that... checking the receipts over a bit closer yesterday, when it got a new clutch put in not too long ago (around 141K - has 184K now), it also got a front axle put in, and my bet is that vibration is the aftermarket axle - anyone else want to take that bet? LOL my plan is to take it to my local mechanic that i trust and have him put it on a lift to get a good look at things underneath - do a thorough inspection of everything.. also think it needs an alignment If we had had more time to think about things, and to look around, i probably would take you up on that offer! LOL but it was a "need a car NOW" situation - and we got darn lucky to find the right car at the right price at the right time. The underside of the Forester, unfortunately, is looking like swiss cheese... not really safe anymore. It gets retired, but we might keep it around for a while since it does have a good motor and trans in it - and axles... gonna have to check into interchangeability there... if they will swap, i will grab one off the Forester.