edrach

I generally go to Firestone on 116th in Totem Lake. They offer a "lifetime" alignment for $139 if I remember correctly. If you're like me and get wheel alignments done every 6 months over the life of the car, this is the way to go; first one costs big time....all the rest are free. Ask for Dan Miller (daytime manager and tell him I sent you--he'll remember my Subarus if he doesn't remember me).

I'm near Canada and could likely bring a set in the next time I'm there and then ship from there since I'm at the wrong end of Canada from you. Looking for alloys or steelies? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't you be able to locate Peugeot wheels in Montreal or Quebec?

If nothing else rinse out the engine compartment thoroughly with a garden hose. Do it in an area where you're comfortable with the run off. Next prepare a bucket of water with baking soda added to further rinse off the insides. The baking soda will help neutralize the rest of the battery acid. Five years old or not, batteries are not supposed to explode. Sounds like some of the vents were clogged or non-existent; I would suspect this is a "maintainence free" battery which may not allow for venting of gases. Lastly I would check on your alternator and see what the charging voltage/current is; if it's too high, it would form hydrogen gas and if it can't be vented out might cause the battery to explode....or any little spark could set off the hydrogen. Five years old on a 2000 Outback...sounds like the original battery. I would report that to the dealer or to SOA since that is a potential safety hazard.....Imagine if it had exploded while you were checking the oil!!

Try Spalding Auto Wrecking in Spokane, WA (google them for their 800 #). Best yard in the country (well, at least the NW) and they will ship via UPS.

Search worked for me: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=39846&highlight=2500+miles

I second that opinion on the price. What are you putting them on and why do need such large rims? The 15" peugeot rims that show up on the Board now and then will sell for $150 or less plus shipping.

I'm really a novice at this, but it certainly sounds like fun: From: John R Nispel <chiefofcontrols@...> Date: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:09 am Subject: Rally Workers Rally Sprints chiefofcontrols@... Send Email Pacific Rally Group proudly presents the 2005 Worker Appreciation Rally Sprints and Barbeque hosted by Ray and Janice Damitio on their Wynd River Ranch in Montesano, WA Free Camping is available on the grounds starting Friday evening. Saturday night Barbeque/Party with beer and live music is also free for all. WHERE: 794 Geissler Rd, Montesano, WA – Directions: Westbound on Hwy 8/12 from Olympia/Elma go past Montesano and cross the Wynooche River Bridge. Take the first right west of the bridge and turn left at the “T” onto Geissler Road; The mailbox is marked “794” on the right after about six miles. WHEN: August 6 & 7, 2005; Registration and tech begin at 0900, racing at noon. Fun Runs (sponsor & worker rides) about 1600 with the Saturday barbeque about 1800. Live music is provided by Rodeo Kill. COST (For Competitors): Door Prize(s) for workers plus $125. FREE FOR RALLY WORKERS (PAST AND PROSPECTIVE) Sanctioned by: RALLY AMERICA

Here's the link to the individual scores: http://www.historicbrooklyntavern.com/rallycross_scores05-2.htm Here's a link to the detailed run times: http://www.historicbrooklyntavern.com/RallyCross_7_30.htm

A battery cable starting to smoke is a sure sign of a bad connection in that cable; I'm with Craig, replace it before you waste any more time on it and if it still cranks slowly, we'll follow up on that then.

Sorry to hear about your accident. I'm glad you are both okay; cars can be replaced but I know that's small consolation. Tacoma traffic was particularly bad that day....both heading south for the rallycross and coming home. Too bad you didn't make it onto 512; I always take it coming north just to avoid the mess of traffic through the center of Tacoma.

It was another good day for the USMB faction. Complete results will be on the Brooklyn Tavern website in a few days, but qman took first in Open class with his Brat, and I took first in Truck with my son's Brat (mine is still hiding in Bozeman). Charles Morrill from the NASIOC Board took 1st in Production GT in his Legacy GT just edging out XSNRG in his RX. The course was lengthened by adding another field and even the fastest run of the day was over 2:30. A nice course layout which typically flowed nicely from turn to turn with the shifting ground conditions adding to the challenge. The length and apparent roughness of the course made for lots of DNFs for some cars.....there were at least 7 cases of tires being flattened (sometimes lower pressures are not good) and two cars with terminal overheating problems. Weather was phenomenal although a bit hot; the local Grange was out with food and cold pop so it had some of the air of a large family picnic. One of the things I found interesting was the enthusiasm of the spectators hooting and cheering as some of the cars made a spectacular finish or a low time for their run.

You need a vacuum pump and hoses to hook it into the system; hoses preferably with the guages for checking the system. Sorry but I don't know any other way to do that; luckily we do a little bit of refrigeration work in the shop I work in and I have access to the items I need.

Well, here are the directions from the Brooklyn Tavern 'site: 2697 North River Road Brooklyn WA (near the Brooklyn Tavern) Directions: (pavement only): From North of Olympia: Drive South on 1-5 through Olympia, take the Ocean Beaches/Aberdeen Exit, stay on Highway 8 towards Elma. Drive to the Montesano/Raymond exit, (Hwy 107). Turn left. Drive to Hwy 101. Turn left. Pass Artic, watch for “Brooklyn” sign. Turn left on the N. River Rd, drive 17 miles. To travel on the infamous 7 mile “Brooklyn Stage” (gravel), take I-S to Exit 88, head west. Enter Oakville; turn left at the Post Office. Drives SLOWLY through the Indian Reservation, cross the Bridge, turn left. At approximately 3 miles, watch for “Brooklyn” sign to your right. Stay on that road until you come to the gravel, after 7 miles, you will hit pavement again. Drive 3 miles to the Tavern for tech and registration

Pardon me if this sounds stupid, but is Cosmopolis, WA the same location as the Brooklyn Tavern event last month?

System needs to be more than empty; I pulled a vacuum on mine overnight before finally adding the R134a.

Spalding Auto Wrecking in Spokane, WA just sold me a brand new Modine radiator for my '84 Brat (I told them wagon since it's the same). With tax it came to $91 plus change; they will ship via UPS and that's only one day away. The radiator I got had the fittings for the automatic lines. If you want to see it, come by Bothell and you can inspect mine. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=39792&highlight=Spalding

Welcome to the Board. There's lots of help here. If you want the best manual for your son's car, look in the Marketplace forum for the Bentley manual and see if it's still available and snag it....there is no better manual for that car; it's a very competent re-write of the Subaru factory manuals for the early 80's cars up up '84. Best of luck with the new car and you'll find lots of help here. The '84 wagon is just a great car to learn on and have a fun, reliable first car. Two of my sons had a '83 and '84 as they learned to drive and repair their own cars. Loved them.

Two comments now that I've read the entire set of posts. Snowman is correct, if you get a true winter snowtire, NARROW is the way to go. An oversize, wide tire won't help you on snow or ice and will actually hinder you in deeper snow. Look at some of the WRC rally pix for the winter rallies...their tires are positively skinny! Secondly, everyone has theories about how to correct for a skid....steer opposite the rear, steer into the skid....I've always found that advice confusing and if you need to think about, too late. The best advice I've heard is the easiest to remember and the most workable....no matter what your rear end is doing, steer the car where you want to go. Unless you've overcooked it and are about to spin, steer where you want to go and it will go there.

If you have 4WD capabilities with your car, you are not required to mount the chains in the passes even when they are required. But you are required to have them in the car if you get stuck and need them (funny how Washington state law is in this regard). I'm not a fan of studded tires since most of your time will be spent in the Seattle area where studs just eat up the road, are noisy, and actually hurt your stopping distant on dry or wet pavement. I am a great fan of Nokian (Hakkipollitta) studless tires; either the true winter version or the all season version; local Tire Factory chain will carry them....I found the best local price for them is the Kirkland store on 85th. Even in the mountains the Hakkis are excellent and I've never found I needed studs. Good luck finding what's best for you.

Find the closest pull a part wrecking yard; exhaust parts that are usable are cheap. Also the front fenders are easy to replace and are under $30 each at a pull a part yard. You can likely repair both the exhaust and fenders for under $100 and less than three hours time. Good luck with your nice find. If you're needing parts, I can likely pull everything you need and ship it to you, but it'll cost you more. There are others here on the Board that can do the same for you.

What time Sunday; I'll try to arrange my schedule. Will the brat hold the pieces? I could come with the brat or with my Legacy. ---ed---

Nothing personal and I feel your pain and anger. But I never leave the parts store without opening the box and looking inside. It's amazing how often what's in the box is not what I wanted/needed; altho I've never gotten a core axle before. I have to agree with Shawn on the MWE axles and another place which seems to work consistently is www.cvaxles.com.

You can replace the entire transmission with the 5 speed d/r gearbox from an EA82. Search around, lots of conversions have been done like this.

This car belongs to a friend of mine in Denver. I thought about posting in the Marketplace but since it wasn't a Subaru related product, I dumped it here. This is a project car put together by an old school German tool and die maker who will not accept anything less than perfection. After finally finishing it I think he lost interest in it and it's never seen a minute of track time. http://www.angelfire.com/mech/1983golf/

The harmonic balancer and key are usually ruined before the crank's keyway is damaged.