Ofeargall

Thanks for the great information! It all sounds rather logical. I like the idea of staying around 24" considering the type of driving the Subaru will be doing. I've got a brand new set of 195/70 15 snow tires (that were given to me) that would probably do the trick, I just need to find a set of 15" rims to put them on. Can I get Peugeot steelies in 15" or did they only come in 14"? EDIT: I see the 6 lug re-drill thread here: Official 6 lug re-drill thread and the great reference for Peugeot wheels: 80's Subaru wheel options Thanks again for all the feedback.

So, in all honesty, how we'll does and EA82 turn 27" tires? Will an EA82 with a 5 speed cruise at 65mph with 27" tires? Mileage isn't quite as important, I'm more curious about the torque and power shift with the larger tires. Does it render the car useless on a road trip? I know this is likely opening a can of worms because 'drive ability' is pretty subjective.

I've read the Seafoam trick but has anyone tried 1qt of tranny fluid with 3 quarts oil after an oil change? I've done this with a rig that had sticky lifters and valves and it helped.

Hi, I just joined this week. I'm a 4 time Subaru owner. I started with a 86 Hatchback and I loved it. After brutalizing my Subaru as a rural photojournalist I came to understand the following a Subaru could build. Floods, fires, rescues and all manner of stories were open to me because my Subaru would get me there. Years later I bought a Forester - hated it. Then, thinking I needed a more professional car I bought a 2007 Wagon - hated it. Now, I'm back at it with an 89 wagon. I think the Subaru love is being rekindled... So, we have a 79 Jeep Wagoneer to pull my wife's vintage trailers. Being loosely associated with the Full Size Jeep community, the talk of doing a Death Valley run is common. My son thought it would be fun to do a Death Valley run but the mathematics of driving the Wag from the Salem, Oregon area to Death Valley is inescapable. So, is there a Subaru Death Valley run of any kind? Does anyone want to do one in the spring? I'm not thinking of a full-on, hardcore 4x4 thrashfest, just a good old camping trip with my two sons and a little adventure. Thanks in advance. And, thanks also for the warm welcome on my other (first) post. Owning an old Jeep, and old Datsun and an old Honda, I've come to really rely on the collective knowledge we hold in these forums. We're the keepers of institutional knowledge that has vanished from the shops and parts stores across this land.

Cam tower o rings and sealant, timing belt, front seals, tensioners, pulleys and gear. Got it. New oil pump... got it. Raise the engine, use grease to hold cam parts for reassembly, got it. Re-torque the heads, will do. Spend $200+, do-able. Is this a weekend assignment?

Thank you scoobiedubie. I'll do a search on the camshaft housing procedure. My assumption is that it's possible to do this work without removing the heads. I'm trying to figure rough costs on this process. If I purchase the timing belts and the aforementioned gaskets, do you think I could get the job done for $120?

Brilliant! Thanks for the information. Very useful in soothing my concerns. I do plan on replacing the timing belts while I'm at it. My membership/registration was just approved late last night. I've been trying to search the forum by Googling my questions and including "ultimatesubaru" in the keyword search until I was approved. Now that I'm approved I'll be diligent about search first, ask second. Thank you for your patience and guidance. I'll get some photos posted soon.

Thanks! This can all be done from the front of the engine and just pulling the valve covers I take it? Or is this one of those "you might as well do the head gaskets while your at it" kind of things? If this is a quick front-of-the-engine job, that would be super. I'm guessing the MilesFox #8 video about tearing down the frontside of the engine will walk me through a lot of it. Sure appreciate your reply. Thanks again!

I just picked up an 89 wagon from Craigslist in hopes of restoring my affections for all things Subaru. I had a GL hatch that I used when I was a rural newspaper photographer and that car took me everywhere I needed to go. I've purchased a Forester and a 2007 wagon since then and hated them both. This time I thought I would go back in time in hopes of getting to what I consider the 'good' Subaru's. The wagon I picked up is EFI, 5 speed, Hi-Lo and is remarkably clean for 265K miles. The questions I have is, if the engine doesn't smoke but has loud tapping valves (or lifters I suppose) and leaks oil like crazy off the front of the engine am I in good shape? We live in the Pacific Northwest and a Subaru of this ilk is a good tool to have around for our family. I guess I just want to know that clackety valve noise is not going to turn fatal. I'm planning on removing the timing belt cover and look around to see where the oil is coming from. I'm not afraid to work on cars (this Subaru is the newest car in the driveway...) and the support this forum provides gives me even more confidence, I just want to know what's 'normal' since I've been away from the EA engine for so long. Thanks in advance for any input.