SUBARU3

Just found out that the VW bug, rubber steering copular, is nearly identical to the Gen 1 cars! You know the rubber disk near the steering u-joint. (Thanks Rattle wagon) I installed it on by GF with 230K on it and what a difference! The steering is tight and very responsive. I had already replaced ball joints, inner and outer tierods, but this really tightened up the steering. Cost....$8 (Be sure to use your original 4 steel sleeves. The VW ones are a bit to big.) Other VW parts. Gen 1 staton wagon rear glass = VW beetle rear glass Windshield washer sprayer = VW beetle washer sprayer GF side glass seal. (seal between front and rear window) = VW beetle convertible side glass seal. Does anyone know other interchanges?? Todd

Remember that a 79 is a far sight older than an 86. How rare is this FE? (pretty rare). Only a handful left in existance. The man paid plenty to transport to the east coast too, so I would be bet it's closer to $2500 As Ive stated before, these cars have hit bottom. As long as they are maintained, their prices will go up from this point. Heck, you can't get a decently maintained beater for $1000, so why would he sell a classic, rare car for nothing? Of course the price is dependent on "supply and demand". The demand is increasing and the supply is diminishing. So get the car while you can! Best of luck. Todd

I'm not sure you would get a good exterior finish that way. Most rust starts from the inside out, not the outside in. I would work hard to maintain the paint. Keep it clean and touch up chips. I would consider removing all interior panals to access the interior of doors and rear quarters. Clean all the dirt out and coat the inside ith rust bullet from the bottom up about 8 inches. Do frame rails and the insides of the front fenders too. Also the radiator support. Don't sand off your paint! Todd

Yes, Rust bullet leaves a VERY hard surface when dry. I really am impressed with the product.

I have used RUST-BULLET Actually better than POR 15, but similar in many ways. It works great! I recommend it highly. Todd www.rustbullet.com

Wagon and coupe, 2WD rear end parts. Rear wagon tailgate parts, rear coupe/sedan body and trim parts. Todd

Mary: Remember that MOST, if not all collector cars don't have part donors in salvage yards and the dealers don't have parts either. Current/mainstream cars are in yards and the dealers do have parts. There is a difference. This is part of what raises the value of a collector car. (The collector car is rare and the parts are rare!) Enjoy the quest and the hunt! People appreciate the rareness of collector cars and the work that went into the restorations! The Gen 2 BRAT is not as rare and is closer to it's original "life" than the gen 1s. That's why dealers still support it somewhat. In time, it will be in the same place as your gen 1. You have to decide if you really want a collector car, or a just an older car. Todd

It's very easy to replace. Just remove the top of the carb with the 5 or so screws and the front linkage. Now with that said, it may be clogged. Often you can fix these by sliding a very fine piece of wire, in and out through the jet orfice. Find a piece of electrical wire, thin, and unweave it, to get a nice piece of copper wire. Todd

Very nice!!! Now pamper it! Todd

Ah... I see. Todd

The LATE 1977-1979 fenders, from any Subaru will fit. Also the 77-81 BRAT will all fit. That's it! Todd

Did you get the wagon from Cricket/Ennio??? If you want to sell some parts off that ...I'd be interested. Todd

Personally, I pull the EA71s. If you don't have the alignment tool, you risk having the gasket blow again. It's easy to pull the engine and do it right. It also saves the paint on the frame rail and your knuckles! Perfect time to adjust the valves! Todd

Daily drivers here too! (Did you get my call)?

I had this same model, along with a BRAT model, on ebay last week. Sold pretty high. Todd

Generally, the items you mention are very minor. Typical for a car that age and ceratainly within what would be expected. I have seen these sell for between $800 and $2500. I would think you have a car at the higher end. One thing for sure....the demand is going up and the supply is coming down! Best of luck with it, I hope it goes to a loving home! Todd

Beautiful car. Well worth the asking orice or more. I'd consider eBay on that one!! I'm sure it would exceed your expectations on price there! I'd be interested too...if I had more room! Todd

I don't have the plate, but I pulled all the other stuff for you and have it ready. Let me know your approx arrival time. Call me and we can coordinate. Todd

Thats amazing! The guy who sold it to you, obviously didn't reassemble properly! You are lucky more damage wasn't done. I have a 4WD hub, wheel, nut, lugs, but no extra bearings. They are pretty easy to find though. Todd

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/uploads/144/PDC_0079.JPG If you need it, let me know. Todd

I think I have one. I will look. Todd

Ennio: Call me when you pass through Dallas/Ft Worth. I might be able to meet you and say hi. Todd

All BRATs, Gen 1 or 2 were 4WD. Gen 1 (1977-1981) There were no 2WD BRATs that came that way from the factory! Sometimes people replaced the fenders and left the "front wheel drive" badge on the fender. Subaru had many cars that were just front wheel drive in the 70s. Todd

Did you get your rear shocks?

Indeed a massive MI! My heavens, only 45!!! Paul, my heart goes out to the family and you. How horrible for them. Your friend didn't suffer though, so that's a good thing. So many people suffer till the end. Speaking as a Medical Professional, we are seeing many mid 30s to mid 40s with heart issues, presenting to the ER with chest pain lately. Many of those get cathed and they find blockages. Some end up on the table for a bypass. It's happening to younger and younger men! In discussion with cardiologists, they are looking at stress, diet. (hydrogenated oils/trans-fats/ smoking and elevated cholesterol.) Trans fats are VERY< VERY bad for the heart. AVOID!! Problem is, almost EVERYTHING has them! Look at the labels! The stress of American life now is far worse than in earlier generations. Find time to relax! Weight.... if you are over weight...lose it, and watch the blood pressure too!! Remember, many people don't get the warning sign of "chest pain", Their first pain is the end! (Like Moosens freind), 45 is way too young to die! If you have ANY, ANY chest pain on excertion, or even at rest...SEE YOUR DOCTOR, or get to the ED. (Men love to deny this!!) ESP. if you have risk factors, age > 40, smoker, elevated cholesterol, elevated BP, bad diet history, family history of cardiac issues, or overweight. Get a checkup, it may save your life! Here's an interesting article. Very sound, evidence based study. Check it out! May 11, 2005 -- A man's risk of sudden death may show up in a simple exercise test, say French doctors. Ten minutes or less of pedaling on a stationary bike was all it took, they report in The New England Journal of Medicine. The danger signs were clear in hindsight. When the test was done, the men were apparently healthy, say Xavier Jouven, MD, and colleagues. All the more reason not to take your heart for granted. Heart disease (which includes heart attacks) is a leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. French Findings Jouven and colleagues followed more than 5,700 French men for 23 years. The exercise test was given at the study's start, when the men were 42 to 53 years old. All of the men worked for the French government. Age, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, and other risk factors were noted. During the test, the men cycled for up to 10 minutes. Their heart rate was monitored before, during, and after exercise. If their heart rate got dangerously high, the test was stopped early. Nearly a quarter of a century later, 81 men in the group had died suddenly. Three findings stood out: A heart rate of more than 75 beats per minute before exercise (resting heart rate) An increase of less than 89 beats per minute during exercise A decrease of less than 25 beats per minute after exercise The normal range of resting heart rate can vary. The American Heart Association (AHA) says the normal range is 60-80 beats per minute. Raising the Risk Each of those heart-rate problems raised the men's risk of sudden death from cardiac arrest. Sudden death occurs when the heart abruptly loses its capacity to pump. The electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or irregular (arrhythmia). An increased resting heart rate nearly quadrupled the men's risk. Men with hearts that were sluggish during exercise were 6.2 times more likely to experience sudden death. Those with hearts that had trouble slowing down after exercise had roughly double the risk of sudden death. After adjusting for other risks, "these three factors remained strongly associated with risk of sudden death," writes Jouven, who works in the cardiology department of Paris' Hôpital Euopéen Georges Pompidou. The three heart-rate problems were also linked to a "moderate but significant" risk of death from any cause. However, they weren't associated with nonsudden heart attack deaths. (Heart attacks can cause sudden death but don't always). 'Powerful Predictor' of Sudden Death Heart rate during exercise and recovery is "a powerful predictor of the risk of sudden death" in seemingly healthy men, say researchers. Such tests could help doctors identify and treat high-risk men, they note. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and depression (especially in heart disease patients) have also been shown to be heart hazards. Many of those risk factors can be improved. For instance, exercise, stress control, and a healthy diet can help; so can medications, when needed. Doctors can assess your risk and outline your options. Seek immediate help if you sense any heart problems. What to Do The American Heart Association statement on preventing heart attacks and deaths from coronary disease recommends 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity three to four times a week in addition to lifestyle changes. Knowing how to take your heart rate (pulse) at resttake your heart rate (pulse) at rest can help. Calculating your peak (or maximum) heart rate can be done by using the following formula: 220 - Your Age = Predicted Maximum Heart Rate Example: a 40-year-old's predicted maximum heart rate is 180. Talk to your doc if these numbers seem Todd