I am a high school welding, fab and auto teacher. I just bought a 92 Loyale 5sp AWD sedan for my classes to learn about horizontal engines. Here is the plan, pull the heads and hope for just head gaskets, if so new gaskets, water pump, t belt, t-stat, hoses and rad. Then if all goes good my fab class will build a 2" lift and drill the hubs to 6 bolt. What else should we do and what am I missing? I have Chevy van 16" wheels what size tire? I am new to Subaru I builded full size 4x4s and muscle cars so any help will be great.  

 

Jeff

The standard lift height for the older chassis seems to be about 4 inches, so I'd start with that.  That'll give you enough clearance for 27 inch tires, maybe 28's if you want to trim/bash fenders.

 

As far as other welding projects, heck just about anything!  Bumpers, rock sliders, skid plates, subframe/lift-block connectors.  Maybe have your students suggest some projects they'd be interested in?

what's the end goal - mechanical experience - or customization - or both?

carfreak85, on 24 Aug 2016 - 10:19, said: Maybe have your students suggest some projects they'd be interested in

 

 

 

that's a great suggestion - teach them to brainstorm ideas and meet end goals.

 

mechanical: use subaru water pump gaskets, they can be installed dry, the aftermarkets are super thin and flimsy. resurface the heads. clean HLA's new bearings in the timing components or get a timing kit reseal the oil pump clutch

 

custom: weld the rear diff and plan to pull a rear axle to run it on the road. convert A/C to onboard air gut the rear of carpeting/insulation so it's easy to hose out

Edited August 24, 20169 yr by grossgary

The goal is to have them learn something without knowing it's a lesson. These students will go crazy with ideas so possible some not. Thanks for the water pump gasket and oil pump knowledge. We'll put a complete timing belt set in all new bearings. Great welding ideas and a 4" lift it will be. Thanks for the input.

 

Jeff 

Welcome to the USMB, Jeff.  Great project idea--keep us informed on your students. progress.

Going to pick up the car this weekend what forum should I put the build in? 

 

Jeff

It should go in the "Older Generations" forum.  Good luck with the project  Post some pix from time to time.

Depending on your timeline and such a 2 inch lift is a lot less in depth than a 4 inch, However a 4 inch is the way to go if you have the time. You can stress the axles about 2 inches which can be accomplished with strut/coil spacers. The 4 inch lift you will have to drop the front subframe and rear differential and lengthen the steering shaft. When I did mine I also found I had to space the shift linkage down ( you could trim the body slightly too) as well as the carrier bearing on the driveshaft. I'm sure there are a few more tweaks I'm forgetting about but it's been a while since I've done it.