So, I need a bit of advice (being new to this) I'm looking at picking up an older Subaru SW and I was wondering what everyone thought of getting one without an engine (assuming I could get it for cheap). Is that somethng that makes any sort of sense? I know I can find used engines. Any sage advice? I myself am not particularly adept at such things (although I can manage oil changes and simpler maintenance things), but I have a good friend that has several older soobs IS particularly adept at such things and if he's reading this right know (yellow wagon) I'll probably see what I could do to coax/talk/bribe you into helping.

Get what you're comfortable with. There are enough members with enough know-how in your imediate area that a complete rebuild could be an afternoon's work, if you made the offer tempting enough.

finding them with a blown, or no engine, is my favorite!

Going to a junk yard and pulling a engine for a $300 or less subby is no big problem at all! What did you find, I might what it:-p

the best is when you walk up to an ea82, and its got a broken timing belt. or better yet. a stripped tensioner bolt! i love ghetto mechanics =]

you ever put legos together?

Have to dive into this topic... I am in the same boat...er...Subaru, noob to this and love my brat, now I want a total re-doer and I found a station wagon that I will offer the guy $25. It has been rolled, proprlem with carb, heater broke etc.. etc.. problem is it is 200 miles away...soooo working on that. I am needing a Subaru fix, something to tear into so I can get it running then dive into the Brat.

 

This web site is great and has been helpfull with my brat so I figure why not get another!

The other thing that I would say, is that you probably need to get a "donor car" as well. Because, if you are new to Subaru, you might not see what else besides the motor is non existent. It's great to have a donor car with all the special bolts and nuts and wiring. So find a rust bucket or a car rolled into a ball as well.

good thought on that.... don't tell my wife as she rolls her eyes everytime I talk about getting the wagon. I think I got a full size truck and trailer available... now the sales pitch that I will take that poor old Subaru off there hands .... I won't have to worry about breaking a perfectly good broken vehicle!

and I found a station wagon that I will offer the guy $25. It has been rolled, proprlem with carb, heater broke etc.. etc..

Don't touch it except for parts - rolling a car does SERIOUS structual damage to it - it would be a REAL re-doer to get it to the point of being somewhat safe

 

a car with no/blown engine is a great idea if you need one on the cheap - working on soobs is VERY easy - shouldn't be a problem

Depends on the year and the condition of the Body. I have a rusted 85 GL and I hated putting $600 Dollars into a new clutch because it is still a rusted 1.6L peice of junk. If you do get the car and its pre 87 I would offer no more than $50. Because that saves them the 50 they would have to pay to haul it off.

 

BTW- some of my best friends, who are also the most gifted people, are from Bellingham. So I am sure that you could have great success with undertaking such a project. Most older Wagons I have has have lost thier head gasket. So you might as well get one without an Engine- that saves pulling one out tp fix seals and gaskets. Good Luck- Once you know what kind of engine you need PM me and maybe I will be able to help you find one. Thanks