Tom Dunn

I downloaded the Gates Timing Belt Replacement Guide. I don't think they've got it quite right. Supposedly, interference type motors are designated with a * in the guide. They don't show ANY of the Subie motors listed as being interference types. The years covered vary with the engine type. http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=981&location_id=540

So, how would I determine if the 2.2 in my 91 Legacy is, or is, not an interference engine? I sweat a broken timing belt not simply because it will strand me, but because of the possibility of engine damage. Am I worring about damage for nothing? Being stranded I could deal with, damage to the motor is another matter.....

11.5 Litre = 3.038 US gallons 100km = 62.14 miles Somebody best check the math, but I get 20.45 MPG

An old time mechanic I knew would remove a spark plug, feed a length of 1/4" nylon rope into a cylinder that was not quite at TDC, then allow the rope to "jam" the piston as it came up, effectively allowing the crank nut to be removed. This was on older motors however, and I'd be reluctant to try this on a modern engine, although the procedure seems pretty benign. Binghamton area huh? My old home town. Sure miss Brozetti's Pizza!

What tool, other than the special tool designated in the FSM, or alternate method can be used to lock the crankshaft pulley when doing a timing belt replacement?

Am I correct in assuming that the 2.2 is this type of engine?

These are just plain jane black steel wheels. The car came without wheel covers, so the joint between the hub and the wheel has had plenty of exposure to the elements. Going out to work on it here shortly, and I thank you all for the advice.

I'm worried, perhaps unnecessairly, that I'll break the bead wacking on the tire. I have a wide selection of wacking instruments available however.

Spam? I LOVE Span. Mostly with eggs over eazy and homefries. I don't think spam email will be too much of a problem. Hopefully the sender will notice my car is a 1991, and I've not worked in months, so if you're lookingto sell something you're likely wasting your time!! HA!

Most of the forums to which I belong are either related to home repairs or the outdoor sports, notably hunting, shooting, trapping, fishing. At all of these forums I like to think I'm able to give advice as well as get some. Not so here. I've only a basic working knowledge of cars so it's pretty much a "take from" proposition here. That kinda bugs me. You folks have been great about helping me out with my requests for info on whatever. Thanks! That said, if any of y'all need advice on something I DO know about, firearms and home repairs in particular, please feel free to PM me, or email at sagamorecreek@hotmail.com. Thats the least I can do! Thanks again folks!

At this very moment my Subie is jacked up so I can get the front wheel off. I want to get into the ball joint so that I can give it a good shot of PB Blaster, I'm hoping to change the ball joint tomorrow if the weather holds(I'm in the snow and slush outside. At any rate, I can't get the wheel to break free of the axle. I have sprayed some PB around the hub by the axle end nut and am letting it sit. I have only owned the car a short time and have no idea how long the wheel has been on, since the tires were last changed I imagine. I'm CONSIDERING letting the PB sit awhile, putting the lug nut back on loosely, and moving the car back and forth a few feet to see if it breaks free. However, being a Handyman by trade, I though it best to come here for some advice first!!!

If you need to replace your water pump, do you pay the tall coin for a brand new unit or go with a re-built? I was checking prices on the NAPA site and the difference is substantial.

I bought my 91 Legacy with 143K miles on it, I now have 147k. I have no idea if the previous owner replaced the timing belt. Is there any viable way of determining if the belt is original or not?

Was watching the Blue Collar Comedy Tour tonight and one of the sponsors was Castrol. They ran an ad for their "High Mileage" motor oil. Neat ad 'cuz it had a dog in in and I really like dogs! But to get to the point, in your opinion, is there really anything to this stuff do you think? I'm curious if the formulation could really be all that beneficial to a motor in the 150K+ range or is it just hype?

I have been looking at the NAPA site, wanting to buy a ball joint picklefork for my 91 Legacy. They show one, BK7759096, with the description that it "Separates ball joints on steering and suspension systems". It lists for $19.49 The other, BK 7759066, says it "Separates ball joints from steering knuckles" and provides the demension of 15/16" X 12" Which one of these do I need to order???????

Given the reputation for difficulty in removing old, original spark plugs from aluminum heads, I'm wondering if there is any value in using a penetrant such as PB Blaster on the plugs ahead of time? What is recomended, if anything, to apply to the threads of the new plugs prior to instalation?

Was talking to an out-of-town friend yesterday. He claims his sister has a 1993 Subuie wagon that is front wheel drive. I was under the impression, for some reason, that all subies were AWD/4WD???

That Crutchfield had some nice looking unit, thanks for the tip folks! The units I looked at, however, all seemed to say I needed a 3" pocket below the tape deck, and mine is 2". I'll have to look thru their site somemore. I particulary like the idea that you could do a search based on the particular vehicle. Unver, I didn't get down to Utica for the radiator until last week. Made a day of it. Lunch at a buddys diner, picked up the radiator($115!), went to Sears for some tools because, while my carpentey tools are up-to-date, my metric tools were almost non-existant, feed store for dog food, grocery store, ect. Radiator is slated to get changed today hopefully. I've got a touch of the "Irish Flu" this morning.............

My 1991 Legacy has a factory stero with cassette. I'd like to pull that and add a unit for AM/FM-CD. Looking for suggestions on something that would swap fairly easily, I know nothing about car stero and would appreciate info on brands/sources? As always, THANKS!

"Whoop-die doo for my Subaru" is from some sort of commercial, but I can't recall which one. Been a few years at least! Car insurance maybe?

I'm wondering about a little gizmo on the side of the radiator on my 91 Legacy. On the right side of the radiator, a couple inches below the air bleeder screw is a recess, maybe 1/2 0r 5/8" in diameter. In the center of that recess, is a stem, that appears to be a hex shape. I'm at a loss as to what this thing is ??

Help me out here please. "Thats a good one" as in "Thats rediculous" or as in " Very suitable vehicle for lifting"??????

In general, if one buys a lift kit from whomever, do they come with decent instructions or is it kind of assumed you know what you're doing or should't be doing it? I'd reallym like to lift my 91 Legacy once I get settled in a new place down south, and have no doubt I could handle the wrenching itself(I have good help semi-available too!), IF, I had decent instructions on how to go about it.

In general, if one buys a lift kit from whomever, do they come with decent instructions or is it kind of assumed you know what you're doing or should't be doing it? I'd reallym like to lift my 91 Legacy once I get settled in a new place down south, and have no doubt I could handle the wrenching itself(I have good help semi-available too!), IF, I had decent instructions on how to go about it.

Judging by the facial expression, my "spouse" is un-impressed with my success!