hyrysc

Ok, here's the story, I am a former owner of a 86 GL station wagon that was given to me (the one in little picture above). I have an Accord and a Cherokee, but for some reason, I always found myself reaching for the GL keys when it was time to go. I really liked it, but had a friend that was on hard times and needed a ride, so I gave him my roo. Now he is off his hard times and wanting to get rid of the GL and I am thinking of taking it back, but it has since broken a timing belt and a timing idler pulley. its been about 2 years since I have poked my head under the hood of one of these, so I am looking for some advise. What am I looking at to replace the timing belts and the pulley? Anything to keep an eye on while doing this?

Once you get that thang running, you have got to slap a pair of white wagon wheels on it. That just SCREAMS class. (well, that plus a 102" whip antenna LOL).

I am in for it. Let me know when and where and give me enough time to get to a stopping point on my Honey Do list!

Thought this was great. Would love to be part of something like this for sure!

Well, you have to read the description better. Between the lines, it states that the small trunk area in the back of the wagon is full of your favorite drugs...LOL Seriously though, what else could it be? you could buy at least 7 of these for this price.

Sniff, that brings a tear to my eye!

I have slightly larger tires, so my MPH is reading about 60 when my GPS says I am going 65, but my RPM's are about 2700 - 2800. I have a 5 speed.

Wait, what does it say???

Well, those are OK I reckon, but what would have really set it off would have been a good ole GL wagon. I mean, come on, what is a subaru meet with out the staple and the underpinning of the entire Subaru entity which is the ubiquitous Subaru GL Wagon?? Actually, I am just jealous that I was not there...sniff.

Gotpropane.com has a wealth of info on this type of conversion. Carbed is easier to convert than FI. Propane has a higher octane, so you can advance timing, but lower BTU so not as much power (but since we drive carbed GL's, we have power to spare LOL)

so keeping all of the good playgrounds to yourself huh???

Welcome to the USMB. First thing that I would do is check the fusible links and the fusebox. The fusible links are under a little black rectangle that is close to the battery. they look like 4 pieces of cloth covered wires. Make sure that you can get voltage on both sides of them. As far as your light staying on all the time, seems like something is shorting, possibly a fuse, but more probably a wire or the switch. I would check the fuse box to make sure that nothing crawled in, chewed on stuff and then died, but I would also check the switches and the wiring. I know this is alot of stuff to check, the good news is that from what you said that all was good 3 days ago, so unless you tried to wire something in or messed with any of the wires, it should be easy to troubleshoot. I am sure that some of the more experienced Soob owners will be around shortly to give you even more words of wisdom.

Thanks for the info calebz. I read it before and just wanted to chat a bit more as the articles are helpful, but I wanted to chat with people who have done it and what kind of additional information they could offer besides what was already noted. if someone doesn't want to reply, they are not forced to, but in the future, I will try to be more considerate and not waste anyone's time.

thanks daeron. I was wondering if it was just a wiring type of alteration or if a bracket had to be fabbed/altered. i assume that from the way you mentioned it, that the maxima alternator is internally regulated?

Thanks all. I was thinking about going with the GM alternator, but the XT might be the way to go if it requires less alteration of the bracket. Could anyone who has done these swaps give me a brief about what is involved? I don't have alot of extra accessories yet, but would sure like to have the extra capacity in the near future, plus with winter coming, would be nice.

For those people that have some experience here, what alternator options do I have for replacing my slowly dying alternator in my 86 GL Carbed Stationwagon 4x4? Ran a search, but didn't come up with much.

Just a question since I am as cheap as they come, but what does this do for gas mileage? Not used to 4 bangers, used to v6's and such, but usually try to keep them in low RPM's to save a bit o' green.

cobcob and I met up for a quick bite to eat and he definitely got a good deal on the brat...especially for this area, but I have to agree with all of you on this forum, a brat is not the vehicle to have for a man with a family, so I, being the kindhearted person that I am, do hereby offer to trade my 86 gl for his brat to help him out... (lol) Seriously, it is a very straight, clean brat that appears to have been taken care of very well and runs well from all indications. Very nice indeed.

actually, he was an agent for me...I am holding it for ransom:headbang:

DARN YOU!!!!!

Circling already? what are you talking about, I have been circling ever since you dragged that thing home! Hmm, I do know where a nice little subaru truck is down on the west end, I might have to take a drive and see if they want to sell it...now where is my credit card???

bwhahahahaaa:lol:

what a way with words you have...that would be great! (WARNING, SHAMELESS BEGGING AHEAD!) So what will you be doing with your turbo if you get the certain other vehicle?

I agree about the tires thing, got the mud flaps on, just have not had time to get the fender flares that I want. CobCob? Something I should be hearing about soon?

LOL, problem is the rugrats would have a hard time crawling in from the back all the time...course the wife-unit will only let them in the subaru if she is with me so I don't quote "do anything stupid". She is under the misguided impression that I can actually go too fast in it LOL!