kdixey

Thats a good idea...especially since the repair place I usually go to want $200 to replace an alternator. Jeez...I replaced the ball joints, I should be able to handle the alternator. Is it the kind of thing I get a burlier version of? I thought I remember somewhere that if you have a lot of electrical devices (stereo, amps, fog lights and such) you might do well to get a better alternator than stock...is that correct?

I worry that brownie with its lack of airbags and such is not as safe as a newer car (by newer I mean a mid 90's Legacy). OTOH last night it was very slippery and icy and the DR transmission is a lot better in the the tricky stuff than the AWD of the newer cars. I love being a dad, but there are definitely times I wish I had done it sooner because it sure can be tiring. But as my dad used to say (my mom and dad had me when he was 46) "it keeps me young"...and I suppose it does. It definitely keeps me smiling.

Too much trouble to throw an EJ in. Also, contrary to what most people think, I find that the EA81 and EA82 can produce enough power for what I need. Not changing timing belts...now there's a thought...mmmmmmmm. How hard was the EA81 swap? I'd think an EA81 with a weber would be pretty peppy (maybe "peppy" isn't the right word).

Didn't you toss an EA81 in your "beast"? I'd be more inclined to do that instead of an EJ swap. I like simple and reliable. Speed is overrated.

Funny that you should put it that way, but almost immediately after I wrote it I started thinking that I would really miss it if I get rid of it. I had a WRX before picking up the brown wagon, but I honestly think I would miss the wagon more than the WRX (which aside from the occasional highway merge I don't really miss all that much).

An old friend of mine had one of those... I would think in Colorado they would be pretty easy to find. Although when I was looking for a DR wagon I couldn't seem to find one for the longest time and I live in Washington where they practically grow on trees. Keep looking.

I've had my poop wagon "brownie" for a little over a year and its been the best $750 car I ever had. Its had a few "issues"...I replaced the ball joints myself (well with help from a very experienced friend), replaced the front seats with Impreza seat,installed my own stereo, managed to scrounge/buy and install new front and rear bumpers (and learned th ejoy of pull aparts in the process), learned how to tune it up and have generally had a great time...I also shelled out to have a few things done that I couldn't manage on my own. Now that I've transitioned from unemployed grad student to employed state worker I am starting to think that a mid 90's EJ wagon would be a better fit as I just don't have a lot of time any more to spend on brownie. I really like the D/R 4WD and its gotten me out of a few scrapes in the snow. I also know that at 205K and leaking oil its gonna take a rebuild or a CCR engine to make brownie happy (I also picked up a practically new weber and an XT6 front sway bar that I have yet to install). I think the car is a blast (albeit a SLOW blast), but I also have a four year old that goes everywhere with me and I am starting to feel like something a bit newer and safer is a better bet. Anyone got any sage counsel for me? :-\

Its nice to hear that my initial thought was correct (I guess I am starting to pick some of this up after all). I'll probably take it to the local repair shop (I managed to find one that has some experience with older soobs and isn't too pricey). I'd be inclined to do it myself, except right now I have neither the time nor the place to do it. Thanks to everyone for their comments. Kevin

So my little poop brown wagon has been chugging along this past year (topping 200K in the process) without too much drama. So tonight I jump into brownie (my son named the car) and ALL the dash lights come on and stay on. Now I KNOW the brake fluid isn't low because I just added some and the battery is new so it doesn't need to be charged. As for the other lights I suspect they are in error as well. Also my emergency brake was not set despite what the dash indicated. I noticed that the voltage was waaaay down (its an 86 GL 4x4 wagon) so I am guessing alternator. That being said I am pretty much clueless when it comes to matters electrical...any guesses from the fine Subaru faithful?

Why aren't all boards this good? Its off to find myself some parts. I was figuring on water and oil pump too (The car has 201K and most of that was BEFORE I bought it). Anything I'm forgetting? My father-in-law (an ex mechanic suggested a new valve cover gasket). I also have a new XT6 front sway bar courtesy of Baccaruda so I figured I may as well do that too. One final thing...can I drive it as is? I'd like to move it to a better spot to work on it as its sitting in the alley next to my apt. right now. It actually moves but it sure kicks up a fuss. INTO THE BREACH! Kevin

OMG...I didn't mean for that to come out so sexist...I stand corrected. Kevin

Thanks for all the advice...I took a look at the Miles Fox how-to and of course to have advice from "the man" himself is making me feel like I can do this and not end up with the windshield attached to the emergency brake. I was considering going commando as far as the cover goes...so, I'll keep everyone posted as to my progress. As far as taking out the radiator...thats sounding pretty ominous, but it can't be any worse than some things I've faced down in 46 years. Kevin

My wife has a little Civic 4WD wagon so we have a car and except for Thursdays when she goes to school in Vancouver B.C. the car is usually available. I walk to work so no problem there. I really LOVE working on my car so I'm sure I'll have a blast. I figured out how to install the Stereo and speaker on my own and custom drill some Impreza seats (that I bought form a forum member) for the front seats so I am feeling pretty confident. Luckily the weather seems to be holding. CHARGE!!!

So, I have a broken timing belt on my 86 4WD wagon and since I don't have the $500 bucks the local fix-it shop wants so I figured I'd have a go at it myself (famous last words huh?). I have been looking at the various posts on this site and I think I can do it. I figure I can get a complete kit for around $160 from Partsbin.com. I have done a few fixes on the old wagon so I'm not completely lost in the engine bay (although that may be severely tested with this project). From what I have read on the various posts I should consider changing the oil and water pumps (and at 201K miles I suppose its not a bad idea). So...are there any kind souls that have any sage advice for me? Kevin

Brownie's (my very brown 86 4WD wagon) has been chugging like an beast the past day or so. Oil level is good (although she does leak...but then again what sooby doesn't?) and the carb doesn't appear stuck (shot some cleaner in) but when it chuggs the engine pitches side to side pretty good. I was thinking it might be a fouled plug causing a cylinder to not fire or the engine is finally shot (just went past 210K). I have been able to do some small things but I'm feeling out of my depth here. I tried searching the forum but didn't find much under chugging and was looking for suggestions on what I could look for to find some answers. Oh yeah the chugging is REALLY loud. It drives although getting going makes some interesting noises. It was doing fine up until a few days ago and then this chugging just started. I also seem to remember reading somewhere that a broken timing belt...hmmm OFF TO RESEARCH! Kevin

Sorry to hear about that, I used to live near that area (years ago). I hope you get it back. I had my Honda Civic stolen about 5 years ago (from my parking spot underneath my apartment building) and they eventually recovered it (although it was a bit beat up), but it was after the insurance had paid it off. That's how I ended up with my 86 wagon. Kevin

Coming to Belliingham right? Welcome. Kevin

Clearly you must live right. :cool: Kevin

Dang, you beat me to it... Kevin

Very cool...I have been wanting to put a MOMO wodden shift knob into my 86 wagon for a while now. The worst thing is that I HAVE one somewhere but I just can't seem to find it. Do you have any pictures? BTW, how did you score a free MOMO knob? Kevin

Congrats on the safe return.

hokey smokes...those are pretty great...oh yeah, and your'e crazy.

Update... They forgot to re-attach a vacuum hose (thanks for the tip) so the chugging is fixed. The gassy smell ended up being a stuck mechanism on the choke. My friend and I opened it up and he unstuck it with his index finger (I feel stupid). Works fine now. I could really use the $80 now. So, I'm going to spray a bunch of carb cleaner on it and see if there is anything else they forgot to re-attach. As always, thanks for the advice. Next up a new engine to rebuild over the coming months. Anyone looking to unload a Weber out there? Kevin

Okay, I realize that I am probably partly to blame because I KNOW BETTER!!! I have been having a terrible gas small in the car when I try and start. Sometimes it starts fine then other times no go and after pumping the gas I get a VERY smelly car. I figure its the fuel pump or perhaps the choke. So since I'm getting ready to start working on my graduate thesis and am really short on time I take it to the local shop to see if I can get a fix. I go to the place that usually changes my oil (my regular shop is too busy and I'm feeling impatient). I get a call and the shop tells me they're sorry but the compression is low in 2 cylinders and I need a head gasket or valve job. Since the car has almost 200K miles on it I am not particularly surprised about the low compression (although it has has decent power). The claim that the gas is flooding the engine and that is what I am smelling ( although oddly my mileage hasn't dropped at all). I have been planning to go pick up a used engine at the pull apart and rebuild it so I am not going to bother with a valve job or a head gasket. So after $80 for the diagnosis (I feel like I got robbed) I pick up the car and it is running waaay worse than when I left it. It is chugging like an old jalopy (BTW they missed that it was very low on oil). At the very least they could have given it back to me in the same condition I left it. GRRRRRR! Saturday I am going to look at the choke and hopefully get the car running more or less normally. :mad: Kevin

Okay maybe a bit misleading title, but I got you to look didn't I? Here's the problem...if the car has a full tank of gas it starts up right away (cold weather or not). If the tank half empty it takes a bit of cranking and smells heavily of gasoline after it finally DOES turn over. I am thinking it might be a failing fuel pump (but what the h*ll do I know). Anyone else with a similar problem? Anyone else have an idea what it might be? I have a rusted out filler pipe but I have it rigged (and I picked a "new" filler tube up at the pull apart) so I don't think the smell is coming from there...besides it doesn't smell or leak when I fill up. Could be a carb problem I suppose. Kevin