[Looking for advice on an 87 GL wagon]

IMO these are superior to ejs  (ea82 sohc) because of their simplicity (ie no sensors/ecu to fail, management systems on and more complex fuel/ignition systems - more to go wrong on ej engines)  so easier / cheaper to fix  ea82 when  there's a problem.

The ej engines were developed from/on the success of  the ea82 engine. 

Reasons for EA82; with  carburetter (better-simpler) + pointless electronic distributor  . have owned  2 of these never had any fuel / ignition issues with them apart from a carb kit in one in 15 years of ownership.   NOTE  If change fuel/air filters at required intervals carb shouldn't/don't  gunk up!

Also a non interferance engine so if you break one of the 2 cam belts its not the end of the world , just inconvennient.

The important thing is regular oil changes and  cooling system flushing as with all subaru boxer engines, otherwise h/gasket leak  issues, scaled up heater core/ radiator, overheating, cracked heads/blown head gaskets..

Reasons against EA82 :There are limitations to modifying for power increases because of single port head design.so best left in standard form. 

[tighten the crank bolt?]

if manual trans put in 5th with parking brake on.

[86 Brat tail light and fuel gauge issues]

sounds like a pinched wire  short somewhere in wiring harness in rear of vehicle (particularly in  braking circuit which could also be causing the other problems)  so suggest checking all wiring from cab rearward.

know this is irrelevant in this case but had a similar situation with another  car and found the rear seat was pinching wires.

[New brat owner for the UK]

Hi from NZ  nice 1  unfortunately these were bad for rust  but this 1 not too bad have one as well

[1983 Touring Wagon]

wow its immaculate,, wise to keep it original,  Had these in NZ as well, very rare to see them  now as most of them dissolved with rust, as anything of that vintage did.

had one of these as my first subaru 20 years ago a great car

[Hi from New Zealand]

Hey cheers  used to come from down there (Happy Valley Tuatapere)  but escaped from the cold 30 years ago,   goodness me do you have / is that a 1st gen. Leone (as in pic) ?  was impressed with my sisters 74 DL 1400 Leone and my bosses 81  1st gen. 1800 Brumby(Brat) both 30 years ago so thats what got me started

[Hi from New Zealand]

Hi from the south of New Zealand   have had 5 Subarus over last 21 years,

presently  have:

1987  Brumby  (Brat) ea81 in good condition 130K miles but motor tired, runs ok, burns a quart of

oil every  600 miles,   a project in waiting.

2001 Outback ej251 hi/lo manual with 140K miles good condition ,motor good uses quart oil every 2000 miles.  just done its 2nd cambelt, idlers, tensioner, water pump, seals. flushed cooling system.

Down under here its recommended that cambelts etc changed every 100K km (62K miles)

 

the previous 3 cars were:  1st   83 Leone GL wagon ea81  hi/lo man.

                                           2nd 86 Leone GF wagon ea82  hi/lo man.

                                           3rd  88 Leone GL wagon ea82  hi/lo man.