edrach

I locked myself out on my old '86 GL wagon and called AAA to unlock the car. Guy showed up with a slimjim and wasted an hour plus trying to open it. He finally called his office and they told him to unlock the REAR door with the slimjim since it couldn't be done on the front door. Five minutes later he had the car open. True story.

I never figured out how to decide which side was bad. I always looked for the torn or cracked boot (usually the DOJ that's over the catalytic converter) and that's often the bad one. If both axles are new, I can't help you. That's why I only replace them one-at-time. Best of luck with this. I'm interested in the answer if someone has a better plan.

Overheating with higher speed is a classic symptom of an inefficient radiator. Not a difficult fix for a home mechanic. And yes, do the thermostat (OEM) at the same time. It's not likely to be the thermostat since a clogged one would definitely cause you to overheat; and if it stayed open all the time, you still wouldn't overheat. It's the radiator. And avoid a suggestion to backflush the radiator. That's never helped and costs almost 40% of cost of a new radiator.

Right on the money. Fenders are the same; just a chance the antenna hole is moved to the other side.

This might be even more helpful: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=104935&highlight=Weber+tuning

From the "old" USMB repair manual: http://www.indysworld.com/80s/general/USRM/AirSuction/airsuctionvalve.htm

I can't believe the comments about the weber as being "impossible" to pass emissions. I've had the weber on three Brats and ALL of them passed emissions with flying colors with all the emissions plumbing (except the catalytic converter) removed. The numbers here in WA for HC and CO are the same as you mentioned. Usually the high rpm portion is easy to pass; it's the idle numbers that can be difficult to bring in. At your altitude, there's no questions that the weber would run crazy rich numbers if it was originally jetted for sea level. Lean out the mixture by getting the right jets for your weber. I'm sure Redline can suggest proper jetting for your weber: http://www.redlineweber.com/. Search here in the USMB repair section. I'd be surprised if there's no information on weber tuning. If you can't find it, I have a weber tuning book somewhere in my "stuff" and I could likely scan the pages for you (don't hold your breath, I might need a while to find my manual). There's not as much in the USMB repair forum, but this might be helpful: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=115224&highlight=Weber+tuning

If I remember correctly, the ASV inner parts from the older ASV are identical in the new ASV which I think are still carried by dealers. The new ASV units are also less expensive than the earlier version. I'm not sure if the gaskets are the same. But try Jason in Parts at 866-528-5282 (toll free). He's in the parts department of a dealer in Auburn, WA and shipping will be minimal for that part. Jason is more than willing to research some of the earlier model parts.

Welcome to the group. You're fortunate to get a solid car to work on. The early '80s EA81 cars are among the most reliable that Subaru ever built. Certainly worth investing time and money in. Good luck.

Speaking with Adam about the possibilities he said the would prefer a two day event for the same reasons you mention. I'm with him on that also. We'll see how it goes.

...and not across the border in Canada. I was talking with an old friend in Chuckanut SCC (located in Bellingham). He's been trying to get a RX venue between Bellingham and Ferndale so the club can add RX to their active autocross calendar. With the demise of the Hillsboro, OR venue I'm certainly all for that (especially since that would only be a 2 hour ride north for me). He is actively persuing that and would let me know if there's any progress to that. The question I have for the group that is clustered around Portland is "Would you come up that far for a RX event if ORG can't get a venue together for next year?" Also, for the rest of us who are closer to Bellingham? PS: Not that I want to diss the Canadian RX program since I'll be looking into it seriously next year, but something closer to home without a border crossing would certainly be desirable.

Congrats on the good find. Interior parts are usually plentiful at PicknPull. That model is generally good for 250K miles if you take care of it.

Glad to hear from you again. Happy to hear that you like SC also.

Email Paul, he doesn't bite. I've taken his Oregon school numerous times; always worth the time and fee.

I always re-use the old ones. I always save the pins when I pull axles at the PicknPull yard. Over the years I've acquired quite a few spares.

When was the last time the transmission oil was changed? If you don't know, it's probably more than 50K miles. If that's the case, you might treat the gearbox to Redline 75W90NS. The NS is important since it's for older gearboxes with "notchy" 2nd gear shifts. All my older cars get that except my Impreza daily driver which gets the Subaru extra S gearoil.

Good job. That long bolt is a bugger even here in the relatively rust-free NW. Thanks for posting the resolution. I hate it with threads like this when they suddenly die without any mention of a resolution.

Nipper has the correct solution. You should not be in 4WD on dry pavement. Only should be used in slippery conditions: in mud, snow; I'm not even sure you should use it on wet pavement. Also, all four tires should be close to the same circumference.

Lucky you. It is an awesome place. Hopefully it continues to succeed as well as being annexed to the city of Snoqualmie. It would be so great to be able to have local rallycross events there.

I have ONE Pirelli rally tire 205/65R15 size; ASG-Z designation; assymetrical, left side only. Somewhat worn but still usable. Could be a practice stage tire and certainly good for rallycross. Pick up in Bothell, WA. Not really shippable but then it would cost you the shipping and wouldn't be free anymore. I could bring it to Mt. Hood next weekend. Gone amended; only lasted 9 minutes!

WCRA Hope RallyX Posted on Canada West: Very tight course, but still fun. Hope is an easy drive from Washington area. Please post on the Canada West thread of SpecialStage if any questions. http://www.specialstage.com/forums/showthread.php?44707-WCRA-Rallycross-7-%28Hope-Oct-23%29

Car is not "well maintained" if the timing belt has not been done at the current mileage. Check the owner's manual to see when that should have been done (either 60K or 105K miles). Also check to see what the cost is to have that service done at a shop that you trust. Timing belt service can run up to $2000 or more depending on the shop and how many parts they replace. Add to that the cost of replacing the struts and you have some more justification to re-negotiate the selling price. Head gaskets are not a "scheduled" repair. If there were a head gasket issue with this car, you would have seen it by now. In any event, have the car checked by a reputable Subaru mechanic to see what really needs to be done before you buy this car.

You have the correct information so far. VLSD is not a true LSD if you are looking for that. Swapping the LSD from a 3.700 rear into a 3.9 or 4.1 is quite do-able. Write ups abound if you look hard enough.

Currently, I have a letter from my insurance carrier with a valuation of $6K for my '84 very clean Brat with under 120K miles on it. As to fighting with the insurance company, that might be the case. We wound up suing the taxi driver that rear ended my son's '82 after the insurance company refused to budge on their offer of $475 for it and totalling it. After almost three years (statute of limitations was looming) we filed suit in small claims court and produced documentation that averaged $3400. Taxi driver refused arbitration (dumb) and had ZERO counter to our claim other than he didn't think it was worth much (i.e. no written documentation). Judge awarded us the entire $3400 plus expenses for filing. It cost us time and effort and was well worth it. We still have the '82 since the insurance company didn't want the hassle of disposing of it and the title is still good.:burnout:We'll be cleaning up the rust and finishing the 5 lug wheel conversion soon (I hope).

Matt, sorry I'm too technically challenge to reply to your friend request. Drop me a PM with an email address and I'll respond off board until you get your minimum 10 posts in (to receive PMs). I was pleased to see I did survive in PA even though I didn't think I did as well as I should. Very pleased that my wife finished third in PA. She was my driver back in the day when we did fast gravel TSD events; she's getting her technique back pretty quickly. Glad to see you and Keira got the most out of my old Impreza.