Any ideas where I can find timing covers for my '87 GL 1.8L ea82? I just got the car and the dude I bought it from lost the old covers. Now I'm trying to find some replacements, but with no luck so far....

junk yard? that the only place i can come up with.. i doubt if you can find it anywhere else.

 

 

-Justin

Options:

subaru

a yard with a junk motor (core motor).

post in the parts wanted forum here.

 

Another option is what a number of us do and don't use any timing belt covers. They're unnecessary and an annoyance to people who's time is valuable.

 

*** I noticed you replied to a 1992 Legacy thread - that's a completely different motor, those covers won't work for you.

this is my first Subaru and I'm not finding any anywhere..... Do I need to have one on there?? If not I'll just say screw it.....

You dont need timing covers. I just got back from a wheeling trip and none of us have them

So it won't cause any damage to any thing like the belts without one?

Not at all. How would anything hit the belts? the are protected in the front by the radiator, the car itself protects the sides, and how would a rock jump straight up?

Going open belts is fine, good convenience for repairs.

 

I go naked with mine, but if you want a set i have a complete lo-mile pull off in good shape, i can include all the bolts if you need them. these are form an 89 gl, 89,000 mi

 

make offer plus flat rate box

Leave em off. More trouble than they are worth. Just watch where you set your shop rag when it's running.

 

20 minutes to change both without the cover's. Saves about 2 hours and gives easy access to adjust the tension.

 

GD

Do I need to have one on there?? If not I'll just say screw it.....

No. And...you're starting to see the light. Save yourself the hassle, it's well worth it. The covers are just plastic covers, they're rather meaningless really.

The covers are just plastic covers, they're rather meaningless really.

 

I wouldn't go that far - they are useful if you plow through deep snow, or go crossing river's, etc. They keep errant fingers and dropped shop rags from getting mixed up in the running belts.

 

It just depends on what the plan is for the car. If it's just a street car and you don't plan to drive in 1+ foot of snow then loose the covers.

 

GD

So when you guys say no covers, are you ditching all of them, or just the ones in front of the belts? I'm thinking of getting mine out of the way too...

Nice necro from 4 years ago lol. But at least it shows you were searching.

 

I ditch mine completely, inside and outside covers. Even for snow and dirt... But I do keep a spare set of belts/pulleys in my "to go" tool kit.

ha yea I dug up an old one here. Thanks for the response, we are about to go on a road trip so i'll be sure to keep an extra set with me

 

So given you keep an extra set with you, have you had any timing belt/tensioner failures you attribute to not having the covers?

Like they said above. Nothing can hit the belts because they are protected by the radiator. Nothing is going to jump straight up and hit the belts. I have snapped a belt due to getting my car deep in some mud, past the belts and it broke. Maybe just time for that belt to go, or the resistance from the mud made the belt snap. 

Bottom line: everyone runs with no covers for a reason. the reason being, you don't need them. 

I use my "BumbleBeast" 60% as Daily Driver (During week days)

 

and 40% Offroading (on weekends) and I run Coverless for years now without issues.

 

Kind Regards.

unlss your neighbours cat takes a snooze in the engine bay for some warmth

I have an Old Photo, from the Times my "BumbleBeast" was White,

 

which is a Perfect Example of That, see:

 

 

 

 

I popped the Hood, 'cos I heard funny noises comin' from the EA82...

Ditch the covers... front and back.   Now you can see your cam seals.  Change belts in 20 minutes.  Check tension easily.  Change water pump.