Petie

How much should I expect to pay for a rebuilt carburator for an '84 4WD GL wagon? Also, approximately how much labor time by an experienced mechanic? I have just learned that I may be facing this with my old Subie. Thanks - Petie

Yep, the Outer Banks are nice but this would be a long way to come for a Subaru! One of the other guys posted that EA81s are plentiful in PA because the vehicles have rusted out. That's pretty much what's happened to mine. Actually, I'm surprised it's not worse given I moved here to this salt-laden environment almost 12 years ago. Matter of fact, yesterday, I took it to the local body shop for repair of the passenger-side hood hinge - while it was at another shop for ignition repair, sitting out in the open (for over 7 weeks, long, long story), the hood was opened at some point, the hinge weld failed, the hood was forced open and buckled the cowl above where rust had eaten through. Estimate on this repair is $235. There's what I would call significant rust in other spots, too, and the body shop people tell me that since rust works from the inside out, even if I spend a bunch on repairs to what's there now, it will just keep popping up in this destructive nvironment. So, now, with this, and after just spending $150 on the ignition switch rebuild, I am more than ever in a quandary as to whether to keep the car a while longer. If anyone came from far away to get it, I would certainly recommend trailering it back home. It has not been on a road trip for years. Knowing this Subie (which started right up after sitting for 7 weeks as described above), it would probably be okay - but I wouldn't consider driving it a long distance, on highways, until it was thoroughly checked out mechanically including the undercarriage, etc. BTW, this is a very cool-looking Subie, the red-orange wagon, with roof rack and front brush guard. Very distinctive! But in sort of rough shape now.

I have an '83 GL 4WD wagon with an EA81 with less than 105,000 miles on it. I've had this car (which I dearly LOVE) since 1985. The body is getting rough in spots, and because of my age and that I'm non-mechanical, I'm finding it harder and harder to maintain here where I live in coastal NC where there are few, if any, older Subies other than mine. And so, I'm contemplating giving it up very reasonably to someone who would restore it and love it, or, if I can't find that someone, maybe the low mileage EA81 and maybe some other parts would interest someone. Where are you located? Petie