edrach

I'm afraid the wheels aren't for sale right now; I'm saving them for the Impreza I'm trying to get for my better half. If it comes with alloys, I'll send you a note. With luck, I'll find another set before then and we can deal.

I think I have a grey vinyl driver's side visor that doesn't flop down. $5 and shipping and it's yours after I check the garage. I'll know tomorrow.

Most likely voltage regulator but that is internal to the alternator. Worn brushes typically result in less voltage and not more which is a sign that the voltage regulator is failing.

You are a glutton for punishment!

No, you only have an alternator. Sounds to me that your alternator is not charging your battery while you drive. Any auto parts store will check your alternator for free (of course they'll want you to buy their alternator if that's the case so call around and price alternators by 'phone before deciding which parts store should check your alternator). I'm assuming you have a later model alternator which has and internal voltage regulator.

1/4 amp might just be the dash clock. I know it's not much, but your typical batter is around 60 Amp-hours fully charged, so in 240 hours (only 10 days) that would completely discharge your battery. As a temporary fix, get a trickle charger to attach to your battery whenever you're parked for extended periods of time.

I think a moderator already moved this thread to the New Gen forum for you.

How much current is being drawn when everything is turned off? You can start to isolate where, by removing one of the fusible links and seeing what drops out the current reading. With three fusible links, you can narrow the field of search by one third this way.

Try a google search on Subaru Operetta Prototype (with the e). Lots of the links come up as "not found," but this one http://impreza.wz.cz/historie.html has a picture of a red 1996 convertible which is listed as Operetta in the sidebar. Too bad the text is foreign to me.

Good luck on the last leg; watch out for cops....when I lived back east they made me paranoid.

If the backing plates are in such bad condition, I'm surprised he didn't first clean them thoroughly, and then spray paint them with a rust inhibiting coating to maximize their remaining life. Frankly, I think he's full of it. I've pulled backing plates off cars that are over 20 years old that were rusted but still structurally sound. Certainly backing plates from a wrecking yard wouldn't cost nearly that much. I'm more concerned with your other comment about how much money you've put into the car. I bought my '91 Legacy with 98K on it and have since put over 40K miles on it; the only maintainence it's required were brake pads and routine oil changes. I did bring it to our local independent shop for a "minor" scheduled service to the tune of $300 but nothing more. I'm due for the timing belt service shortly and expect that to run around $600. Either you're very unlucky with your vehicle or your mechanic is taking you for a ride. Sorry to be so blunt about that and I have to admit I don't know anything about the newer models. You might pose this question on the New Gen forum and outline some of your cost/service history so others could either let you know whether that's normal or excessive. Welcome to the USMB. Hopefully your future experience with your Subaru will be more pleasant.

Sadly the torch is passing to the newer models; fewer and fewer EA81s showing up. But today two new Legacies went into the yard. A '90 sedan with 111K on the odometer; clean car and I suspect the automatic tranny is toast. Got a clean alternator and good pair of visors of the sedan. The sedan seems like a good candidate for someone looking for an engine. The other is a '90 wagon with about 3 years or more of green scuz on it from sitting in someone's backyard. I got the alloy wheels off that one.

I understand WRX disk brakes can be retrofitted if you find someone with a WRX who's gone to performance brakes and has a used set left over that he's willing to sell (not likely a chance to be given a used set).

I could pitch in for that.

If I had to guess, 4th of July Pass is the highest one you've seen. It's been years since I've been there, but I remember 5720 feet. I'll look it up in the atlas. Lookout Pass at 4725 feet. Looks like I was wrong about Fourth of July Pass, just a little over 2700 feet. I wish you the best. I'm not familiar with that part of the country, but I think you're past the worst of the mountains and just have to contend with the flatlands. Too bad you managed to hit the worst of the weather we've had in a few decades. Keep well and be safe.

Richierich is the man in Portland. Another place to search is www.craigslist.com. Click on your city and then cars&trucks and then do a Subaru search.

Thanks for the compliment Pat. Sorry I couldn't be here to wish you off. I wish you a safe trip and Godspeed. It takes courage to make a x-country trip at this time of year; good luck to go with it. ---Ed---

Pat, you are smart to pack it in and make a new start tomorrow. Fatigue is not your friend when trying to drive cross country. You had me worried when my wife told me when you made it to our house. Good that you did the sensible thing rather than push on in the dark and with the snow in the mountains. Best of luck tomorrow.

You have an EA81 unless someone swapped it...unlikely. You can see the EA81 embossed in the engine casting just to the left of the crankshaft pulley. Whether it has a computer or not depends on whether it was made for California emissions or not (I think); the computer would be under the dash in the vicinity of the steering column.

Re-reading your post; I would suspect a short in the switch cluster around the steering post if it's shorting internally when you turn the wheel.

All the little red warning lights on (or glowing dimly) whenever the ignition is on, indicate a bad alternator. That would also cause your battery to not re-charge. Most auto parts shops will test the alternator for free; of course, they'd like you to buy their alternator so shop around by 'phone first for the best price and availability of an alternator. Be prepared to shell out for a battery too at this time of year.

You might opt not to do this at this time. Two of the bolts holding the fender on are hiding behind the bumper. I just did two fenders at PAP; luckily one bumper was already gone; getting at the two bolts on the other one was difficult at best. I wound up removing the bumper skin so I could get at those two bolts with a small 10 mm wrench.

I'm with qman on his thoughts. Only problem I have with mine is that in my unlifted Brat, the regular air cleaner doesn't clear the hood and I had to go with the low profile air cleaner. I believe it does cost me top end power. I'm thinking of having carbs unlimited check and re-jet mine for optimum performance with the new engine.

Here's the info for those of you wishing to party. It's on January 22nd at the PDX Holiday Inn. http://www.oregonscca.com/info/forms/banquet.pdf

Too bad you're so far away. I have a set of Legacy seats that I was going to install in my Brat except I got racing seats for it at Christmas. I posted them in the marketplace. Check the forum for a price.