RallyAlex

Anyone have experience in posting pics? Every time I try it tells me they are too large...

I have a stock 1981 wagon with the two square headlights. I'd like to get more light output. Anyone know of a good headlight? I assume you would recommend changing alternators??

Sorry if this is the wrong thread, please post elsewhere if that is the case. Is it possible to swap out my stock lights from my '81 wagon for something a little more modern?? The Hella 6054 are sealed beams in a 7x6 light. Thanks!

I have a 1981 wagon with 13" rims. They are 4x140 pattern. Does anyone know if I can substitute 14" wheels with a 4x108 pattern?? I would love to find 14" Jackmans, but after an exhaustive search, I have never been able to find any. Thanks, Alex.

Anyone know if I can use a 1985 a/c unit for a 1981 wagon? Shawn W, I think you were saying it would not fit. Would like to verify before buying the unit. Thanks.

GD- I believe there is a donor car from 81 with all the components. Just to clarify, my wagon is a 1981, are you saying if the donor car is not 80 or 81 to take a pass? Also, Shawn W asked if the dashboard has the sign, "equipped to add a/c". It does. So, what exactly does the sign mean? Are non a/c cars with this sign, like mine, in a different spot than non a/c cars without it? Thanks. And, yes, i know it will not be cheap.

Shawn, yes, it is "equipped" for a/c. You might have a bunch of junk yards in Salem, OR, but out here there are only a few. And NONE with ea81 Subarus. I do not want to sell my rust-free '81 wagon and buy something far more complicated and expensive, hence the question about air. If you removed the a/c from you '85 Brat and it would work in my car, let me know if you want to sell. Then again, you might have removed it as it no longer works.

I apologize if this is on usmb somewhere...if so, please feel free to respond with the link. Is it possible to add (as in "feasible" as in "not ridiculously expensive") an air conditioning set up to a 1981 wagon if it was never equipped with air? THANKS!

I have a 1981 wagon that I'd like to bring by your shop. I am about 25 minutes away---wish I'd have seen you sooner. I am not always on the usmb, so best to contact me at: alxxhipp@gmail.com I will also try your email address. Your product looks very nice.

Thanks for the exhaust info. I am positive it does have a cat. My concern is that there is a sensor coming off the cat. If I remove the cat, will this mess with the sensor, engine timing, etc? Also, I know exactly the part you describe on the blower. Everything is working fine. In fact, I just replaced the cable last year with an OEM cable. It seems like the flap will open to allow air to pass to the defrost, but, a SIGNIFICANT amount of air still comes out the bottom part of the heater on both sides of the transmission hump. If anyone has suggestions, I would love to hear them. Thanks!

I have a pampered 1981 wagon. Everything works great (except a small exhaust leak) including the heater. BUT, I cannot divert more air toward the defrost chambers. I have tried "McGeivering" it but I do not want to stuff rags in there or anything like that. Does anyone have a good suggestion? Also, HYPOTHETICALLY speaking, could I remove my catalytic converter and put 2" exhaust on this? Would it run better or would I be better off leaving it stock? Again, I know this is illegal so I am just curious, that's all.

Just to be sure, sometimes when I am in 3rd or 4th and give it gas, the rpm's seems to shoot up, but not the speed. If I back off it, then it all goes back in sync. My buddy is a mechanic, and works out of his garage on weekends. Is this a big endeavor? Do we have to drop the tranny to get this done? Thanks again for all your help.

GD-- I hear you on that. Gewtting tired of paying multiple times. I will try on the 2.25" but will pass on the cherry bomb. Not the kind of sound I want from my little 1.8. Any help answering the clutch adjustment question I posted??? Thanks, Alex

This question has probably been asked (and answered) a thousand times, so, I apologize but I could not find the thread for this. My clutch is slipping on my '81 wagon. It has only 73,000 miles on it. By all measures, this car was pampered. Is it time for a new clutch? Or, can someone help explain (to an idiot like me) how to adjust the clutch? Thanks!!!

GD--You are right. I am cheap. I prefer frugal. Aren't we all? I would love to weld it myself. It is a talent I have never tried. Unfortunately, with my luck I'd start the car on fire. Then I would be upset. Really, 2" exhaust after the cat? Will it add that much performance?

I took my 1981 wagon into Merlin's yesterday. It has a small leak where one of the welds connects the heat shield. Nothing bad. I was stunned at the price. He'll do the whole thing for 350, but the labor is only 90. Does anyone have a suggestion on where I can get the parts, or should I just bite the bullet and get it done? (Or, just drive it as is?)

No offroading. I live outside of Chicago where we are FLAT. Besides, this is a super clean wagon and I do not want to wreck it. If you can find plenty of rust-free wagons, consider yourself lucky...

Well, given your responses I don't feel that stupid (maybe just a little). Am I to presume that I have to ADD fluid from this same impossible-to-reach spot???

Ryan-- Thanks for the rear end suggestion. I will give it a try. I really do not want to "fender chop" as the car came from SoCal so it is quite clean and rust free. I thought maybe Subaru made 14" wagon wheels. I guess not. I will put as much rubber as possible on these 13" rims. Thanks...Alex

I have an '81 4x4 wagon with 13" wheels...does anyone have any pics of the largest tire they currently have on their car? I don't want to switch rims or add a lift kit or anything like that...thanks!

My wife has a '98 Legacy 2.5 GT with an auto trans. I want to chedk the level but cannot even find the dipstick! Any pointers---like "fixed reference engine landmarks" to guide me? lol:lol:

I agree, nice looking wagon. I have a 1981 which is rust-free. What kind of rims are those and how hard was it to get the rims drilled? Did you have it done? I am not sure I can fit 14" tires on my little wagon, though.

I appreciate the troubleshooting suggestion---I will yank each wire as it is running. For what it is worth, I don't think it is running on 3 cylinders. What about readusting the valves? How frequently should this be done? Oh yeah, I also did the cap and rotor and put in NGK plugs...

Probably a pointless question since my description will be less-than-adequate. I have an 1981 wagon with 73,000 on it. It ran PERFECT. Then, over winter, I put new plugs and wires on it, and it still seemed to run fine. Lately, it seems to really be dogged in lower rpm's. It "sputters" and sounds like an old VW beetle. Then, when I hit around 2500 rpm's, it seems to have more life in it. That's when it gets a little "peppy", or, about as peppy as a 1.6 can get! Any ideas on what might be the problem? I am not sure it is connected to the plugs and wires...could it be that the valves need adjusting? Would these cause it to sputter in lower gears? Let me know if any of you have some thoughts...I am no mechanic, but am willing to try suggestions. Thank you.