stumpy

Happy B-Day Ed, from another Ed

The spec page doesn't show that info so thanks for sharing. It also claims there wasn't a 5sp available in that year! My parts are from an ea-71 so not much help there I imagine.

Welcome to the board. There were two motors available in that year: The afore mentioned ea-63 1400cc and the ea-71 1600cc There is more info at this spot on this site: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/specs/general/1976dlwa.html Don't know about the local yards but have some 78 parts myself.

Any progress on this yet? The basics got Pearl runing smooth again but according to richierich the cooling system is getting exhaust gasses in it. So I guess I'll be doing that head gasket some time in the near future any way.

I am so happy to have been wrong about Pearl's problems. After some investigation today I discovered that #1 plug is oil fouled. Changed that out and she runs smooth once again. Not sure about the water/coolant loss but yesterday I apperantly didn't give it enough time for all the air in the rad to escape and that is where the bubbles were coming from. I'll have to keep a closer eye on the coolant level now. So listen to the others and check the basics. Stumpy

Pearl, my 90 LegacyLS started acting the same last night. Started at freeway speeds (65) and I thought all the vibration was the axle at first but when I pulled off the next exit at the red light it shakes like it's a big block with radical cam in it. Then no power pulling away form the light. Limped home and today it is still acting the same. I fear it is the head gasket or worse scenario!! Took a quart of water and still kept going down but had bubbles coming up before it did. No water in the oil at least. Need to find my conecters to check the codes as the Check Engine Light comes on from time to time but doesn't stay on. Have you checked what is going on with the oil/water in your? Hope yours turns out to be an easy fix compared to mine. Good luck.

I don't know about the sedans as I only have wagons but the 92's I looked at in the junk yards all had the cone shaped rear springs and the outbacks have cylinder shaped springs. I had to go to the 93-94 wagons and even then most had the cone shaped setup. Took a while to find the one I needed. Happy hunting. Stumpy

Yes it will work. Now is the time to decide if your happy with your current height of car as you can go with outback strut/springs and get an aditional 2" of lift with a firmer ride. The FWD struts/springs will work they just leave you 1/2" lower than stock AWD. (Used them on my 90LS wagon for a while, currently running 96 outback struts/springs) The front are a direct bolt in (Complete assembly) from 90-99 I believe. The rears are a bit more complicated. There are cone shaped and cylinder shaped springs requiring a different strut top for each. 90-94 top have a different bolt pattern from the 95-99 models. You will need the proper strut top for your year of car and spring used. I also have complete strut assemblys (All 4) from a 90 LegacyL AWD wagon. (Cone shaped rear springs). Stumpy

I have a 90 Legacy Wag with the outback struts/springs upgrade. Did it more for my disability than for off roading but that 2 extra inches is noticable at times. I don't drag the trailer hitch in some of the places I did before the lift and the suspension is stiffer than stock so I can still corner fairly agressively. Never been into low rides my self as I have a tendecy to be a curb jumper!! It all depends on what you want. Low is not so good for even mild off roading but the higher you go the less stable the car will be at cornering. You will have to decide what is your happy medium for both worlds.

Yes SJR is in the Bellingham area. Also, a Y-pipe/cat from an ea82 should bolt right up. Better flow and easier to find. Have one but your probably out of the PDX area already.

Here are a few teaser Pic's. More in my gallery. Can get specific shot on request if there is more you want to see.

May be more work than some other suggestions but couldn't you customize the engine cross member and move the engine/tranny forward a couple inches to give more clearance in the trans tunnel? Not like you need the front axles to line up with a RWD set up. You could evict the fan system and go with all electric on the front side of the rad to compensate for the lack of clearance. Just a late night thought, who knows? Stumpy

Will part it out when I get around to it. Has some cancer and body wrinkles (Drivers side front fender and doors) All glass good. Bad trans (No 4th gear) Interior ratty. Can post pic's in a day two.

No need for compatibility input now! Picked up a 78 wag with a decent running ea71.

Last time I was in an accident I had to take my car to 3 different body shops for estimates. I picked out 3 that have a reputation for higher end prices. Insurance company averaged them out and considered the car totaled but they only gave up blue book for the condition of the car. You didn't happen to leave your lap top or any thing else of great value in your car that disappeared on it's way to the impound yard did you? 90 Legacy don't have any great value From KBB Excellent $1,905 Good $1,605 Fair $1,250 That is a L model decked out, no sun/moon roof Good to hear your Subie protected you and that you are OK. Would have been more money from insurance if you had been taken to the hospital by ambulance if any medical problems come up in the future.

So that is what one looks like in great shape! Very nice Crabman. Picked up one my self a couple weeks ago but it has much more personality. (A bit of rust, rod through top of block, trashed seats ect ect ect ) Nice score. Stumpy

I have read where the exhaust from a ea82 will fit on a ea81. So I don't see why the gasket wouldn't work. Could be flawed logic on my part!

That would be richierich from the board here. Or his fathers shop to be exact. Stumpy

I may have jumped to the wrong conclusion on my ea71 compatialility. The 79 Brat has a top mount starter and my 86 FWD Hatch has a side mount starter. After more research I see that the top mount will interchange with the 81 ea81 top mount starter but not the ea71 side mount starter. If I have misunderstood this please correct me. I have a side mount ea81 (84) and a dual range 4sp trans but that set up won't bolt right in either. Lot more parts and fab work. Not that I'll be getting much done this year but would like to know what I need to do come spring time. Thanks for all your help and input, Stumpy

91 is a non interference engine. Latter 96 was the start of the interference models. I thought from reading your wanted post you had a line on a used one. Guess the newer one won't interchange. I have a 90 complete tank in my shed I could have sold for much less than the new one, all though shipping would be a hassle. I believe to reset the ECU you have to disconect the battery for 30 minutes if my memory servers me correctly. Not sure on the not starting, Good luck!! Stumpy

As the metal to metal sound was there before the clutch job you may want to check the condition of the parking brake as well as the hill holder adjustment as advised by OB99W.

After talking with Zefy on the work involved in the ej into ea71 that he is doing, I won't be going that route with this one. I was thinking it wouldn't be much more than an ea81 swap. I was wrong big time!!! So stock it will be. Thanks for all your input. Stumpy

backwoodsboy, I checked the door tag and the production date is Feb of 79. subyrally, I have run other cars through DMV with the auction paper work with no troubles so I would expect none this time. I have a stock motor (86) I could put in it if the bellhousing will interchange like some of the posts I researched claim it will. I also have an ej22 and 5sp d/r that I was going to put into another car but have fallen down on that project when I found out the AA lift I stuck on it needs redesigning. I have the complete donar car still in running condition. The stage3+ clutch set up and new seals/bushing for the trans. Just need some motivation to finish the couple projects ahead of which ever one I drop the ej into. Pic's if I can do this right. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=17188&cat=500&ppuser=14807 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=17187&cat=500&ppuser=14807 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=17187&cat=500&ppuser=14807

Picked up my first Brat last week. It's a 79 as far as I can tell. No title just the auction paper work. Has the dual round head lights. Not in perfect shape but decent. Straight body with minor rust. Has a rod sticking through the top of the block. Like the idea of the ej swap instead of keeping it stock. What do you all think? Stumpy

No engine stand these days but I have a cherry picker at my place. It's mounted on the rear bumper of my old van. You may remember that old beast. If you have no luck with a closer offer I may be able to swing by one day if you have it ready to pull. Stumpy