Rust

Here ya go. It even comes with a magical wand.....Abra, Cadabra! Presto, chango.....plastic reborn.

http://www.popscreen.com/v/6pgll/1978-Subaru-Brat-Sweepstakes-TV-commercial Brat TV ad 1978

I have done clutch jobs w/o removing the y-pipe, or any engine mounts. Just bolted up a fabbed up metal plate to the skid plate and slide the tranny back on it. Its a lot eaisier to pitch the engine forward, but, It can be a nightmare trying to re-install your y-pipe here in the rust belt. Doing a helicoil, re-tapping threads, ect can be more work and frustration than bolting up a new disc/pressure plate.

You can either bend the clips outward to fit between the rim and the drum/disk.........or........fab up some circular O rings from some thin-stock metal and make your own clips. The latter will not involve permanently altering your caps.

For me subaru's made after the gl/loyale production line ended, are just too far removed from what made the brand. There are some practical reasons also. Being exempt from emissions, inspections, and lower taxes and insurance rates are some pretty good percs for driving a 25 year old car.