ForrestM

That sounds like it could work. Hmmm. Much better idea than a weber, being more compact. That may be just the ticket. Thanks!

Thanks for all the responses to my dilemma. You guys are really a great source of information and inspiration. Now I just have to decide how much of a project I want to take on. (make that another project)... . Besides, what isn't a project with ancient Subarus? What do you think of trying to carb a spider manifold? I heard of possible issues with lack of preheat in the manifold due to not being designed for air/fuel mixture.

Well, that sounds relatively easy. Any other issues I can expect?

Thanks for the fast reply! If I read my info correctly, the heads have dual intake ports on the xt, meaning I have to swap the heads to use my old carb intake. Has anyone tried to mod a carb onto an xt manifold?

I have an 86 gl wagon that needs an engine, and a friend has a wrecked xt (not sure of year) with a good engine. I know there are differences, (mine is carb, xt is mpfi), but what am I looking at in terms of a swap? I have even considered modding the manifold to bolt on a weber. Not sure what kind of a mess I am thinking myself into. Or should I just spend a little more and buy a matching engine from the boneyard?

Thanks, Deener. Wet test brought the compression from 60 to 90, I think it was (according to p/o), but I dont know if this indictes bad rings.

It did have a head gasket problem on that cylinder, also (I am not sure of the symptoms). I'll contact the P/O and pick his brain some more. Thanks for the info!!

Hi Guys! I'm a Subaru Noob with a question about my 83 GL Wagon. I got this car as a freebie, with the intention of fixing it. The front cylinder on the drivers side had severely low compression (60 as compared to 170 on the other 3, according to P/O). Wet test brought it up to about 90. P/O is a fairly competent mechanic and thought the rings on this cylinder were gone. My question is, how likely is his diagnosis to be correct, or should I look for other issues? Engine is in car with the head pulled, and access plug removed from behind water pump, so will I have to remove the engine no matter what the diagnosis, or can I R&R the rings in-frame? Thanks for any help..... Forrest

Hi, Everyone! Just got my first Subaru (a Freebie!!!!), so I thought I would sign up here. Looks like a great place to hang out & get some great info, & maybe someone to go wheelin with up here in the wilds of eastern WA. The Sube I got needs new rings, but it doesnt look all that tough to do, thankfully. Its an 83 GL Wagon with air, electric mirrors & windows, and dual range 4wd. This is gonna be fun!!