The Beast I Drive

exactly COINCIDENTALLY: I was introduced to this board by Jerry (Bratsrus1) because he saw the Beast (back before it was lifted, still flamed and tricked out lights n stuff) and stopped to ask if I was on the board, and then we shot the breeze for a while and here I be! -Bill

Not everyone who owns one here is a true enthusiast, you have no idea how many people here in the lower valley drive Subarus who aren't on this board, I mean there are like 20 people from the valley on here max, and every other car on the road is a Outback or Impreza around here. Sad part is a lot of them dont even really know what they are driving, its just a car to them. Rigs get driven into the ground around my parts. I Do however enjoy the random conversations that usually start around my rig while Im fuelin up or stoppin at Mr.T's Auto or Triangle Auto -Bill

You say the 4wd binds, did you check the rear diff to make sure its the same gear ratio as the front? Other than that, that is a nice lookin hatch! -Bill

Take the hatch! -Bill

What is up with all the old Subies getting stolen lately??? I mean, I understand the appeal, but WTF???? -Bill

Im betting on points, all the rigs we have that had points act just like you describe when the points go bad. If you decide to replace them make sure you gap them right and set the correct dwell. -Bill

Did you replace the points? I would drop a Electronic disty in there, points are a b**ch. I have 2 sets of points if you want one let me know, they are brand new in box from Honduras, they are OEM. -Bill

Im hoping to have the hatch drivable, not necessarilly done, but driveable for the show, if not then I will be hoping to take the Beast again. The RX is not ready, its nothing special yet -Bill

I have a pair for any EA82 vehicle from 85-94, in really good shape around here somewhere if you are interested. -Bill

Well with the right swaps it would do fine (4 or 5 speed D/R), however the 6" lifted John Deere Brat at WCSS10 did surprisingly well with a stock drivetrain and tractor tires, but I dont think the clutch will last too long. -Bill

Nah, no camo, not that one. I think that color is good enough to leave as is, not too ugly, but definitely not pretty Definitely needs a lift though -Bill

Green wire should be power of some kind, I think. -Bill

I have seen some tires that would prolly be outrageous on a soob, but would definitely float, they are on my Uncle's old, OLD swather, they are no more than 26" tall, V-tread, and like 14 or so inches wide. Not sure what kind of rim they are on, some farm implement rim. Basically picture your tractor tires but like 2 1/2 times as wide. Ill get some more info on them if anyone is interested. -Bill

Yeah Im just waiting for our snow to come back, this is the second time it has melted off, but its just too early for it to be over. I want the hornets and yellowjackets to DIE!!!!!!! -Bill

The Outback wheels look right at home on that rig -Bill

As am I BTW, how's the snow up there? It has all melted away here, freak heat wave. Our overnight low tonight is supposed to be like 36 and the high above 45 tommorrow, it was over 60 here today for a while Only downside, the wind always has to blow right around 4 pm. And hard too. -Bill

Well, i looked at it today, and learned a few things. First, there was no pad left on my pass. side brakes. So thats where the grinding came from. The caliper was nice and tight, as were the wheel bearings and ball joint, and all the hardware. the only thing loose in the front end is my steering rack, which is worn out and has some play, but not much. My axle is shot, and the boot on the CV joint on my drivers side front axle appears to have torn within the last 2 days. So, I put my new pads on the front brakes (both sides) and took it for a drive, the grinding noise is pretty much gone, but the clunking is still there. I think it is the axle making the clunking, but I will find out when I replace my bearings and axle. For now I am ok with driving it. -Bill

Might want to look into seeing if the VSS from a Legacy or Impreza tranny will fit your FF-1 trans. -Bill

How long would it take to get some shipped here? Im gonna buy this axle local, but I need the 2 rears and a driver side front. -Bill

you did exactly what I did for the disty mount and I have to time it like you too, no timing marks, but i think I got mine pretty darned close, it has never run as good as it does now If you want some spacers, I made mine like 1/4" thick so i could still use the stock bolts, i could make some again. Mine I cut the mounting flanges off a trashed EA71 manifold and milled them flat. Im thinkin about making some 1/2" or 1" spacers and getting longer bolts. More torque -Bill

I have 11 myself, we are 'collectors'..... -Bill

yeah thats pretty much why Im just replacing everything on that side that has anything to do with the moving parts in that area. Im gonna start takin it apart here in about 2 hours after I go order my new axle. My bearings, seals, and brakes will be in about 2:00 this afternoon. I need to keep up on my maintanence a bit better. I havent exactly taken care of the Beast like it deserves, its been a good car even if it has s**t on my more than once, those times were usually my fault. -Bill

Well if the EMPI axles do turn out to be crap, then I will have to go to MWE or Genuine Subaru OEM, but I dont really want to pay like $300 for each axle from SOA -Bill

I have a EA82 intake with a 32/36 Weber on mine, I had to make spacers for the manifold to clear the block though, but I think my manifold is the exception, Jerry has done umpteen EA82 manifolds on EA81 motors and had no clearance problems like I did (figures). The EA82 manifold has slightly larger diameter intake runners and flows a bit better, but you HAVE to have a Hitachi distributor to make it fit, or modify the little plate the disty bolts to. Im actually running an EA71 Ditsy filled with EA81 internals that I pieced together from 4 distributors I never did reattach my power steering though, some days I wish I had, but I just strong arm it, its funny when my buddy tries to drive it off road cuz when the wheel kicks back from a rock he aint ready and it always kicks his a$$ -Bill