SUBARU3

Thanks Erik! I've looked at those, but never tried it. I think Subaru made the Gen 1's out of sand! There are a few owners in eastern PA, but my memory fails me on who they are. (Paul/(Moosens) can you chime in here)?? Todd

Thanks for the update! We have to use alternatives for many things. Glad to learn of this one. Todd

All 4 door cars from late 77 thru 1979 will be able to donate doors to your wagon too. The front glass is the same all on ALL 77-81 BRATS, wagons, 4 door and 2 door cars, except the GF hardtop. Rear bumpers will also work from all cars. Todd

Just WAY too cool! WAY TOO COOL!!!

Your timing belt is off. If your car was running fine before, it's the belt. If you had the timing marks aligned correctly PRIOR to removing the belt, the pistons are all down in the cylinders and well clear of any opening valve. I don't believe that even if you had them wrong, that the valves would get damaged without the engine running, if they collided by the snapping cam. ("Run on" sentence...sorry). Did you align with the right marks? Verify you used the correct markings on the crank and cam pulleys. Todd

NICE! What luck.

Body parts are a challenge, but they can still be found. Many guys are hoarding them, so begging helps sometimes! LOL. Seriously, check eBay often. Check www.car-part.com Posting on this board helps too. Mechanical parts are far easier to find and often interchange with MANY other Subis from the early 70s to the early 80s. Best, Todd www.vintagesubaru.com

Actually the engine turned out to be fine. I did however locate a 99 Impreza 2.5 SOHC for a spare. There is no sense changing to a newer SOHC 2.2 either, as they are essentially the same engine as the SOHC 2.5s. You will still have piston slap, open deck, interference engine and the risk potential for headgasket failure greater than the early/mid-90's 2.2s in both of the newer 2.5 and 2.2s. So changing to a say a 99 or 2000 2.2, will be a lot of work for little gain and less power to boot. Just my opinion after looking at the options. Todd

Here's a link I started. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61096 I believe the earlier 2.2 engines, (95-96 Non-interference), will have a bolt up issue to the trans that you will need to navigate around. I personally made the decision that the "same" engine is the best option. The SOHC 2.5 is not a bad engine and will not leave you stranded like the DOHC 2.5. This situation with the 99 Forester is far and different from the easy swaps from the past. Todd

OK, who is going to save this little gem! How would one do it? Todd

I'm in if we find one that will. Todd

It can be tightened using a TORX screwdriver via the screw on the side of the body. Todd

I'm totally confused on what timing parts fit and what parts don't fit certain years. This is a 99 Forester SOHC (2.5). I need timing parts, (Timing belt, pulleys, tensioner). It appears that the SOHCs are different in the Forester, vs the Legacy and the Imprezas with the same engine. (At least the part #s differ). Are all the SOHC 2.5's able to use the same timing parts and up to what year are they the same? Is the SOHC 2.5, (Forester 1999 up) and the Legacy/Impreza 2000 up the same? When did the 2.5 change again from the 99/2000 version? Thanks a million! Todd

Good observation. (But still a sweet car)

CarFreak I have nothing against 4WDs personally, I have owned many Subys with it and still own 2 AWDs. The situation with gas and the future of these AWDs, is that they simply burn more gas and that costs more. The difference is profound! When you are faced with constant added costs for something that does not benefit you, but less than 5% of the time, you start to question it. Many areas in the USA never have the weather that warrants the use of 4WD, or AWD. Even those areas that HAVE weather, it's only occasional and most FWDs are perfectly capable of handling it. Now if you off road, live on a hill that a mule would have difficulty getting to, then yes, this feature is needed. I like having options. I have some 2WD subys and 4WD Subys, so if I need 4WD, I can take that car. Oterwise, I minimize their use. One of the reasons I won't buy a new Subaru is because all they offer is AWD. Subaru loses many customers beacuse of this. I know of many who have eliminated Subaru from their plans because of this. I hope and I'm almost sure that they are rethinking their product in light of the new world we are facing with oil. Todd

Yea, the automatic and 4WD Gen 1s don't do nearly as well as the 5 speeds on gas. I'm curious on how to convert a BRAT to a 5 speed. I guess the rear end can just hang there without the drive shaft? I know the exhaust and the trans mounts differ on the 2WDs. Funny how the 4WDs and the AWDs are falling out of favor! Todd

79 GF Hardtop 5 speed (FE trans) 26-28 City 32 Mixed 37-40 Highway (I occasionally nurse low 40s) 79 DL 2WD 5 speed S/W 26-28 City 30 Mixed 36 Highway 78 DL 2WD Automatic S/W (My city buggy) 25 City 28 Mixed 30 Highway maybe (I have to stay under 60 mph/Revs too high. 3000 rpm at 58 mph) Todd

Thought this would be fun! What is your gas mileage like with your Gen 1? (2WD, 4WD, DL, GF, coupe, sedan, hardtop, wagon). Todd

Nice car!!!! That thing will clean up nice! I am told that certain years of the Datsun Z car's rear hatch glass will work on the back of coupes and sedans. I've never researched it, but I know we have to come up with an option, as there are a fair amount of these still out there that need them! Todd

It always amazes me how they find these things in an inspection! How long does an average inspection take???? (I mean it's good they do). If they put every car on a lift to look at here in Dallas, it would take days to get your car inspected! Way too many people, cars...ect. Inspection here is not designed to be a money maker for the people that do it. I can't imagine that crossmember that bad! But if it is, I'd replace it with one from a salvage yard. check www.car-part.com Todd

Thanks all......great info! I have 4 NOS cast aluminum ones, so I appear to have the best ones to replace it with. Thanks! Todd

Thanks much. Todd

Hey all: Just a quick question........does a 1999 Forester Phase 2/2.5 have the same plastic oil separator plate on the back, as the mid-90s 2.2s? Or did they change it to metal? So then is the metal replacement plate the same for the 2.2s and the 2.5s? Thanks! Todd

The R12/ Gen 1 systems can be converted to use 134A. I have done 4 or 5 of them. However, the gen 1 systems were pathetically weak, even when new. I'd stick with the newer system parts if you can adapt them. Todd

Yes, all BRAT and cars (FWD) interchange for 77-81