edrach

Didn't this new radiator come with a new radiator cap? Either way, I think you're getting a run-around.

Whenever, I have trouble getting the spindle through the hub, I unbolt the hub from the rotor, remove it, and that makes it much easier to get it started.

Great job Karin. Consider that there are tons of posts from some of us male chauvinists who did a timing belt job and then it didn't work at all. Feel like coming down here and trying to replace headgaskets on this project Brat I have? I'll even share the beer!!

Noah, sign me up for a set when they are done. Thanks.

Here are some of the pics I shot over the weekend. I'm sorry I couldn't get more of the show and shine cars and people. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?cat=721

You might do a quick search of Suburb Service here on the USMB and draw your own conclusions. Seems your car is a bit too old for them to work on it.

If you are checking around, try Smart Service in Shoreline. They will not be the least expensive but they are unquestionably the best in Seattle. http://www.smart-service.com/

The price doesn't seem unreasonable to me, but the fact that it is still breaking belts is. The belts should last past the suggested 60,000 mile interval without breaking. Two thoughts: The tensioners as mentioned could be bad and contributing to the premature failure. Also, as far as timing belts go, I would not use anything other than genuine Subaru belts. By the way, next time the belts go, replace the water pump; it's right there when the belts are replaced and if it fails the labor involved is right up there with the cost of replacing the belts.

My Blue Brat will be safe in Bozeman, thanks to tailgatewagon who was kind enough to lend us garage space for the duration. It will come home as soon as I get past my vacation weeks (WCSS7 and Vancouver Island here we come). I haven't heard from the guys, but they might be in Idaho by now, certainly past Missoula. They are going to be one tired set of puppies when they arrive back here.

Well, sadly the Brat finally lost the head gaskets about 20 miles west of Billings. James will try to have AAA tow it to Bozeman where it will have safe haven for a few weeks until I can get out there and tow it home. I'll have more definite news later.

That's correct; looking at the exit numbers and recognizing that they switch from I-94 to I-90 at Billings, the distance comes out to 360 miles. Odd that there a typo on the mileage chart of the Atlas I was using. Creative accounting is what I like....just saved almost 300 miles!

Just an update on the timing going into Bozeman.....Glendive to Bozeman looks like 630 miles if I'm reading the map correctly. That looks like at least 10 hours driving time to me. Another update: I'm really confused now, the mileage table adds up to 630 miles but the exit numbers on I-94 come out to much less than that. When I get back to the office I'll try to get a better "guesstimate." Turns out the 630 miles is bogus; see later posts.

Freddie, thanks so much for your update. It's a pleasure to know that they are moving right along. That was quite a trek making it from Jamestown, ND to Montana overnight. They must not have gotten too much sleep.

I will take a last run to PAP tomorrow to see if the blue wagon finally made it into the yard. Carpet and window regulator (actual regulator or window crank? right or left door). Also the red tail-gate is on my "restoration" brat (see my photo gallery); gold tail-gate is on Eric's brat (see my photo gallery for that also). Oh, I also have 2 or 3 harmonic balancers for you.

Help me out here so I don't forget. Here's the following items I will definitely bring to WCSS7: XT6 seats for bratsrus1 Impreza seats for snowman Standard bezels and grill for McBrat Did I promise anyone else specific items to bring? If so, let me know by PM or post it here. I'll be bringing other stuff to sell but I'm not sure what.

Just got a call from James. Head gaskets are done and they're back on the road again as of 10 minutes ago. They might stop in Bismarck long enough to check things out but hope to get into Montana tonight.

No, I think Austin and James are the "men." But thanks anyway. ---ed---

Austin just called now. They are in Jamestown, ND and are prepping the car to replace the head gaskets (James had bought a set from NAPA when he started having trouble on the way out). So they are delayed some more but expect to be able to resolve the problem (hopefully) and still make it to WCSS7 on time.

I spoke to Austin about 30 minutes ago and told him where parts might be to replace the hose and clamps. He thinks there's enough parts to resolve this problem. Also, I spoke to bacaruda to pick up a new radiator in Spokane (at Spalding) for them to pick up on the way home whether they need it or not.

Jrach is finally in Marquette, MI as of 9pm PDT. Brat seems to be running just fine again. Loading the Brat and getting some rest and he can begin heading back west. Hopefully he and Austin can meet up on the return trip.

Thanks for the offer Kurt, but it looks like the problem was thankfully limited to the water pump and inadvertantly overfilling the radiator. Last I talked to jrach he was passing through Duluth and was expecting to be in Marquetter around 9pm local time.

I'm expecting a 'phone call this morning since James was anticipating being in Minneapolis and hooking up with Austin in the morning.

You know for all this I haven't checked an Atlas. ---ed---

Thanks for the number. With luck they'll be coming through on Wednesday or Thursday.

Learn to resist; this one will take up lots of your spare time (and not so spare time). Check out my listing in the Marketplace forum.