Tony_n_Ca

Well HELLO Mikie, Long Time No See!! Glad to see it together... The last time I heard from you or saw any pics was with the frame done and you trying out how the back seat was going to fit/work. Lots on my end - Mrs became handicapped to almost completely disabled - lots of in house treatment stuff - two people showing up every week for weeks and weeks - got her moving some what. And she just went through a big operation this past Jan. She is hoping to have half knee replacement on both of them by year end or next year at the latest. As for me - Family comes first and all project came to a complete STOP some time back. I had to pick up where she left off. (Readers of this post - I'm not looking for a pat on the back - its what any married partner should be doing = "For better or worse" - SHE IS STUCK WITH ME ) Srry If I hijacked your Thread.... Its sure nice to see someone move forward with their project. Keep up the good work!! All the Best, Tony

For and external leak the dye and a black light work well - more so if it is a very small leak. Other wise you can look for stains too. Or even a clean area down a dirty block. Depending on how bad the leak might be. The only way to test internal - head gasket is the follwoing - and may not always work. Remove the spark plugs - inspect which one is cleaner - due to the water/coolant in that cylinder. Presure test the coolant system while all spark plugs are out and do this a couple times over an hour or so - if it is a small leak.. Coolant will enter the bad cylinder and once you crank it over with the plugs out - it should spit some coolant out - where it is noticable. With that said as a retired mechanic - I think all clubs should have the members pitch in and buy a "Head-Gasket Leak Test Insttument" from Snap-On Tools.. It is designed to check leaks between combustion chamber and coolant system in all watercooled engines. They are made in Germany. When I use to do a lot of engine work - it was a god sent... GREAT TOOL!!! OLD stock number YA 2000 (Snap-On label) Also Exclusively Imported By: Clover International Corporation Hope that helps and Good luck, Tony

Hey Don, I noticed a few things... I see you posted these pics back in 2003 - so you mean to say it has alwaysed over heated.... And it is hard to tell in the pics - but is the radiator the original one that came with the engine and trans set-up - or is it a smaller one... looks small to me... Any ways I see a few things I would of done differently - from the beginning - only for extra measures or a peace of mind.. 1) looks as if lots of hot air can get trapped under that firbeglass body.. - I see no air intake vents - to help air flow over the radiator and or engine - to help cool things down. 2) I change the coolant fan set-up... If I were in your shoes and it did over heat - depending on how I sat in the seat - I might look into placing a vent over my head to force air down and over the engine past the radiator and out the back. I will try to check back asap to see if any more updates.. Kepe us poste don the out come. Best of Luck, Tony www.KitCarVenture.com/About_Me.html (You can see My 68 "Harley" Custom Shovel Trike I built)

OK Dr. RX - I could see and understand that point of view - if that was the main or only reason.. I am not looking for "venture capital". Nor have I asked for any moeny on this forum.. That is not me nor my intention. I know that 95 to 99.99999% of the Money - Labor or sweat equity = is coming from me, family and close friends.... I just want to share this venture (my dream) and no one is twisting anyone's arm for a penny. I am merely sharing my dream, concepts and my new venture along the way. And the Key thing is most of us like to see or even help - so and so fix a problem he or she has been dealing with. Or to see and help that person - build that Sandrail they have always wanted - or the other guy finish some project they have been working on. And yet someone else who just completed a modifed engine swap. And to bring our heads together to find, help or fix whatever the other guy needs or is doing. To be a part of it... To support each other... Like those days at the race track... You rather beat or even lose to the other guy fairly then for his car to break down and you win that way. And some like to help more then others... I wanted to let Subaru lovers know - that some are really - working on viable options for a "rear engine 4WD" setup... Hopefully some day we can all benefit from this.. While looking for feed back and sharing ideas.. Those who may have taken the road before us... so to speak.. And two or more heads are better then one... Plus it is also a form of accountablity - putting it out there like this... Sometimes - we - "even I" need a good kick in the pants to keep me on track LOL... I recall when working out - always nice having a partner to go work out with you - more so on those days you just do not feel like it - the other partner kicks your (you know what) to keep you in line and doing what needs to get done.. Any ways the main reason for all this is to brain storm - share the ups and the downs - to learn from each other and to help the hobby. If only Subaru trans could be flipped like VW - this would all be so easy... Other Thread (I started some time ago) > > http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=52265 And hopefully we can get back to talking Subaru Retrofitting and Customizing.. No hard feelings.. Srry for any misunderstanding Sincerely, Tony

Tbird Man - good input - tks - I'll keep alot of this in mind - while moving forward... Tks again, Tony

Nathan_d - an 1982 - more then likely has high milage... Sounds like time to check the entire front suspension.... Lower Ball-joints - tie rods - both inner and outter and cv joints. Also test the CV joints and not just inspect the boots but how the CV sounds on a tight circle when road testing in some parking lot... Good Luck and keep us posted, Tony www.KitCarVenture.com

Mikie, as always very informative!! Tks for taking the time to share it. Bit of a teaser though - to those who cannot get there hands on it.. Kind of like those magazines - one looks at but can not have.. All the Best on your latest project. Keep in touch, Tony www.KitCarVenture.com

The word Gee - as Dr. RX so kindly put it - seems to fit so well - I think I will use it too. GEE - There is ALWAYS at least one in the crowd! AN UP DATE: Now for those who are serious and care to know more: MY Plan is for a rear engine (not mid-engine) Plans to offer at least 2WD while continuing to work on a good reliable 4WD set up as well. (As talked about in my earlier thread posted on this same forum – And I like to take this time to say “Thank You” again to all who participated with your creative and positive feed back and a Special Thanks to Mikie for all your help and support) Now any smart person knows – having most any kind of repair done now a days is not cheap. Heck just to do a simple half shaft or tune up on most vehicles is at least a couple hours of labor. And at a minimum labor rate of only $50 per hour two hours = $100.00 plus parts, taxes and so on and it adds up fast. Hey what about an engine and trans R&R it cost a few BIG$$$ONES to say the least. Then add in any custom work and the bill goes up and up. You get my point. My site is to share my dream and ideas - with those who are positive and creative. To share creative input and findings with each other. To share my ups and downs of this venture – with those thinking of doing the same at some point in their future. And to be able to work out something like – creating a GOOD reliable REAR ENGINE 4WD set up - which has always been the desire of many of us. And to pass on this knowledge with anyone interested. For most of us our individual resources - may not be enough - unless you are extremely smart, handy, have all the necessary tools and equipment and are wealthy at the same time. A jack of ALL trades – so to speak. Very few of us can do it all. Only those who are proud – think others wise. Hey I have always out sourced all my body and paint work. It has never been my thing – nor do I have the facility to turn out a quality product each time. It is much easier to stick to what one does best and pull in as many resources, help and support as you can – to help ensure one reaches their goal(s). This is true in life and in business. No different when it comes to cars and the car hobby either. Why else is this and other car forums such a great place for each of us – who like to share, help and learn, to come to and have a place to meet and do such things. (so while I am at it - Thanks for this Forum too) Now we all know $5 bucks will not buy much in the way of parts. And if a good used engine could be found for as little as $5 - everyone would have a few extra engines laying around – lol Not to mention things like a complete drive-train, wiring and computer set-up as well. But then again MY MONEY - MY TIME and ENERGY - or sweat equity as it is called - along with what funds I can and do raise will help. One person can push a stalled vehicle – However two people can push it easier and farther then the one. And four can really get it rolling – LOL But then again – if only one person tells the others you cannot do it – and everyone listens – Guess what – it will never get done. I like to be more positive then negative. So I dream on.. and only listen to those helping me to reach my goals. So PLEASE – if you will – let us be positive and creative. To continue to share our knowledge and excitement for a car hobby we all enjoy. I am sorry – for dragging this on - When I am passionate about some thing I can ramble on and on and on.... Thank you so much for your time. Best wishes on your project(s) Sincerely, Tony

Hello my Name is Tony, and for anyone who did not already see my thread about my dream to design, build and some day soon offer kit cars - I wanted to let any and all Subaru Fans know about my Site - which is now up and runnin. So Please feel free to stop by my site (PM me for link) and let others know about the site as well. With help and support - a dream can come true... I hope to some day soon - be able to offer a 2 and 4WD Subaru Kit Car. Also after talking and working with Mikie (on this forum) these past few months - and with his permission - I plan to post pictures and information, if not a link, of Mikie's latest Subaru Porject asap.. I hope you enjoy the site and as it grows it may help all those who dare to dream of some day designing and building their own car too. If it just helps one person - it is still worth it all. To share a dream and to help others. Sincerely, Tony

I wanted to take this time to thank those who got involved in this thread. And to let any and all Subaru Fans know - my Site is up... So Please stop by my site and let others know about the site as well. With everyone's help and support - a dream can come true... I hope to some day soon - be able to offer a 2 and 4WD Subaru Kit Car. Also after talking and working with Mikie these past few months - and with his promission - I plan to post pictures and info. of Mikie's latest Porject on my site asap.. Thank You Again Sincerely, Tony

When building any trike - you have to be concerned about wieght over the rear wheels... Or should I say past the rear wheels.. lol It is always best to center or force most of the weight towards the middle - rather then the rear.. Using a VW or 911 914 trans will allow you to mount the engine as a rear engine. However if you want to use a subaru engine and 2wd transaxle combo - K.I.S.S. = less work - you can go with a mid-engine mount - this should help cut down the wheelieeeees - one will have with a rear engine trike... I have studied and build a few trikes over the years. And even though the tirkes I built were all Harley - I have seen, spoke with and even read - about those who owned or built a vw rear engine trike... Most with any HP - had wheelie-bars.. Good Luck, Tony aka (www.KitCarVenture.com)

Thank you both for the info. I did a search and checked out Eric's site last night.... Funny thing - I had found his site a month or so ago... Neat project and some nice work too.. Thanks again, Tony

I have to ask - because you did not say: Did you test the fuse? TO be sure it is working... Also - no one up to this point has stated - Be Prepared - If your trans is an automatic trans with high mileage - And never serviced before - when one does a transmission service - this late in the game - You can end up with a trans that will not go into gear again. I have seen it more times then not. Keep us posted on what you find and what ends up fixing it. Good luck, Tony

Thanks again Mikie. BTW did you get my PM about the sprocket? - Please respond in PM thanks.....

Zzzasy, I only read your post and not the rest of this thread. So someone may have already stated what I have bleow. I am 46 and have been a mechanic since high school. I first started off as a mechanic's helper after school and worked my way up from there. I have even worked in a motor shop - where all we did was R&R Engines. We ordered an engine from one of our many suppliers and while we waited for it to arrive we took the old one out. Most engines we had done within 2 to 3 days. So here is MTCW - When it comes to rebuilding engines. Most of the time one can get a better price and surely a faster turn around time - from a well know - Let me state that again - "A WELL KNOWN" engine rebuilding company. This is because it is all they do!! They have better buying power and they specailize in doing one thing - REBUILDING ENGINES and or TRANSMISSIONS. Now some times - one can get a good deal at a local machine shop - If they are slow and depending on the engine you are looking to have rebuilt and one's own connections with that local shop. Good luck and PLEASE keep us posted - as it can help others too..... PS - I left out one important thing. I like to call the domino effect - when it comes to engine and or transmission rebuilding. One never knows - until they take it completely apart - what they will find. SO EACH engine rebuild is different and thus - the cost is different. Some times you open up a can of worms... However with the manufacturers who rebuild engines - they do every thing like clock work - they treat all engines the same and do more work then most local shops for the same $$$. Plus they have a FIXED price - to the customer or shop they supply their products to. Plus you get a good warranty - with the larger firms... Its a NO brainer to me..... Again good luck