Brianmitchtay

I got it! Thank you very much guys, I can't believe I missed the timing marks! If Miles Fox happens to read this, thanks a million for all the videos you've done. I basically took apart and put this thing back together with your videos at all the confusing steps. That being said, I must have missed the timing belt one! ha SO GLAD I decided to run my belts naked. and now I know exactly how to change them on the side of the road if it comes to that. Thanks again!

Hi guys, last month I bought an 87 gl wagon and it needed a new clutch. It was dripping oil all over and so I figured it would be worth resealing the engine and putting on new timing belts since I was gonna have it all torn apart anyway. I tore down as far as the head gaskets, and resealed everything on my way back together. Also did the front and rear main seals, camshaft seals, oil pump, oil pan, and the water pump. I just finished getting everything back together and now it won't start. The starter cranks, it turns over, it's sparking, fuel is running. Just no combustion. My first guess is that I might have messed up the timing somehow? I lined the camshaft sprockets up with the timing marks like the FSM says, and was a little at a loss about the timing marks on the flywheel for the crankshaft, it said to line it up with the middle of three lines, and there were like 40 lines on my flywheel so I just picked three and made sure it stayed in place while I put on the timing belts. Any thoughts? This is the first time I've torn something down like this and I'm sort of bummed it won't run after six nine hour days working on this thing. So here I am, gods of the old-gen Subaru web, save me from myself! Haha

Scratch that! I got it to fit. I must just be a little weary after all the hours of scraping gaskets. For anyone who might read this in the future, the FSM says the transmission has 25 teeth, so you want a clutch with 24 splines, since it goes in the spaces between, there's one less. C'est fini! Now I just have to put the damn thing back together

I just got everything apart and went to put on the Exedy 15008, Doesn't fit! Bummer! Maybe the transmission with the Selectable 4wd has more or less splines than yours, Dan? I've already gotten through resealing the whole engine aside from the rear main seal and the oil pump. Any pro tips for getting the oil pup bolt loose once the timing belts are already off? I tried with them on but it just jumped the teeth. I assume there's some kind of specialty tool. I guess I'll just order clutches from local parts stores and keep trying till I find one that fits... day 4 now of tearing this thing apart and replacing hoses, gaskets, belts, such a fun week, how spoiled am I?! Now if only I can find a clutch that fits...

Gotta agree, coolest custom steering wheel I've seen!

Thanks for the reply Dan. I just ordered the parts, I'll check out the engine reseal threads in the meantime and dream of things to come.

Whoaaa! If I can get this wagon I just picked up to about that condition, I'll be stoked! Really like the lift and different tires, are those mounted on the stock rims? Here's my new project, once I get a new clutch in and change all the seals and gaskets around the engine and tranny, then I'll start working on a lift and some new tires.

I'm hoping someone can help me figure this one out, it's probably simple, but I'm new to this so I could use some advice. I just picked up a pretty well taken care of 87' GL wagon with selectable 4wd, the guys who owned it before me were pretty straight up and told me it's going to need a new clutch ASAP, they also gave me the full Factory Service Manual and pointed me towards http://www.rockauto.com/ to look for parts. In the FSM the clutch for the 4wd is listed as having 25 teeth, but both online and in my local parts shop they've only got options with 21 or 24 teeth. Anyone have any experience with this and could throw me a bone? I've searched through the threads on the forum and haven't really found a clear answer. I'm sure someone has changed one of these before and knows what's up. What clutch kit should I order? Also from what I've read on here it seems like the best way to do this is going to be by pulling out the engine to get at the clutch. Since I'll have it out anyway, I think I'm going to grab a full engine gasket and seal set and re-do them at the same time. Is there anything else it's worth looking at and maybe replacing while I've got it all torn apart? Special tools I'll need? Tips, tricks, suggestions? I'm gonna need all the help I can get on this one, so chime in if it's not a bother to help a soobie noobie along Thanks in advance!

Hi there! My name is Brian, for years I've wanted to own an older Subaru wagon and do all the maintenance myself, try to keep the car alive for as long as I can by my own hand if possible. Fate finally threw me a bone and I found a 1987 4WD Subaru GL Wagon on the local classifieds site here, in pretty good condition and so I've decided it's time to go for it. I know the car needs some work and so I've been lurking the old gen threads looking at some really helpful posts and decided I want to be more than just a lurker. I'll probably be posting now and again as I do work, trying to share pictures, but honestly I've got a lot to learn. and so far this seems like a great place for that. Hope my questions can lead to some useful and helpful threads. Thanks! Brian Tayor