February 20, 200917 yr Howdy! I am new to the forum, but I am a long time owner of a blue '82 GL wagon. The car has been sitting for about six years, two of which have been in the back yard after the city threatened to tow it away. I have recently got the itch to bring the old gal back to life. I suspect the head gasket is bad, but it cold be a cracked head:-\. Any suggestions would help me out since I have never done an engine rebuild but I think it will be fun to work on. Wish me luck
February 20, 200917 yr Cracked heads are impossibly rare on EA81's. If it has overheating problems it is very likely the radiator, thermostat, or air in the system. If you are losing coolant it could be the head gasket or it could be a freeze plug has come out. Is it burning coolant or do you have coolant in the oil? The engine in your '82 is quite reliable and not prone to any particular faiure - generally what gets them in the end is lack of lubrication system maintenance. If it has had poor oil change history then the oil pump is likely to need replacing as the filters clog and the bypass valve inside the filter protects the engine by allowing oil to bypass the clogged element - resulting in wear and failure of the oil pump. GD
February 20, 200917 yr Author Well The reason I am suspect of the head or headgasket is the radiator looks dry and the oil on the dipstick is way (and I mean way) over the fill mark and milky in color. Not exactly sure what that means, but I will find out when I pull the motor.
February 20, 200917 yr probably means six years of freezing temperatures and bad coolant blew out a freeze plug. When they pop out all the coolant drains into the pan. GD
February 20, 200917 yr Also if it was some sort Like That when you Stopped it, I Suggest to Take that Engine Out, Remove the Heads to Change the Head Gaskets and there you can Clean the Oil Passages, maybe to Change the Oil Pump too is good Idea. Radiator Must need Service... Coolant trend to Crystalize if it Doesn`t move / Warm for long time, Clogging it. Also I Suggest to Change Spark Plugs and Gearbox / Diff Oils. Good Luck! ... Post Pics here as Long as you Can! Kind Regards.
February 20, 200917 yr Author I have been looking online for an oil pump, but I have not found one yet (even tried rock auto). Thanks for all the suggestions. Edited February 20, 200917 yr by thebluesubaru
February 20, 200917 yr I did, looks proper smart eh? This ought to be a fun project. These things are incredibly simple to troubleshoot and work on. I brought an '82 back to life not too long ago. It was parked 6 years ago with a seized engine. Replaced it with a good used unit i had. Never looked back. Have fun!!
February 20, 200917 yr yeah looks real clean!! That's the tough part, finding one that's in decent shape! Good luck with it!
February 20, 200917 yr Author Who painted it world rally blue? That is the original paint. I guess my Grandparents had good taste.
February 20, 200917 yr If that's original, it's got to be a very rare color. I've never seen that color before
February 20, 200917 yr That's a real nice wagon you have there. Try a dealership for the oil pump. My friend got one there, and it was cheaper than the auto parts store.
February 21, 200917 yr I had never seen one that color either, hmmm. '82 brochure shows the closest color as reef blue.
February 21, 200917 yr That is the original paint. I guess my Grandparents had good taste. I've got an '82 wagon that color too. Reef Blue is what the code comes up as. More rust down below on mine though And I've seen another EA81 wagon in Boulder that color. It's one of the more rare colors (compared to the white, tan, and light blue ones that are all over), but they are around. Edited February 21, 200917 yr by zyewdall
February 21, 200917 yr nice ride i like that blue if ur going to pull the motor u sould just do a ej2.2 swap and bag that old 1.8 and a lift and some meats then it will be a sweet chick magnet although my wife thinks my 88 is still a pile and a money pit but thats here problem i like it
February 21, 200917 yr hey durania thats a sweet brat very clean i do have to say those wheels look a little out of place i dont think they fit that car maybe more ruber less wheel i like the gold though
February 21, 200917 yr I thought the BRAT was bad news, that's why I posted it. I want to say those are version 7 STi wheels. Felt that the 22B was a must though.
February 21, 200917 yr I have been looking online for an oil pump, but I have not found one yet (even tried rock auto). Thanks for all the suggestions. Very good looking wagon glad you held onto it. tell your city they have horrible taste wanting to tow it.
February 21, 200917 yr What country is that right hand drive Brat from? Plus it's got '82 headlight bezels w/no 3rd eye and an '84-style honeycomb grille. Weird because it all fits together perfectly. The honeycomb grille *should* be much too short to fit properly.
March 17, 200917 yr Author It is Spring Break and I finally have time to wrench on the Subaru . I think the motor will be out tomorrow.
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