Cabe

Greetings, I have a 1982 Wagon GL Automatic (seems rare these days) thats a great little car. I got it from my mother and have been using it while my mazda is in the shop (long, long story). Its eventually going to goto my Father-in-law who lives with us so he can take my daugther to and from daycare, get around the town, etc. I did a bit of searching on google, USMB and a few other places on a few questions and issues I have came across. Its an FWD EA81 and while I'm not neccessaily new to Horizontal Aligned engines (my wife had a 91 Subaru Wagon) it is my first venture of the Carb'd Subarus. Its an Automatic Trans which seems to be pretty rare around here but still shifts smoothly. It only has 73k miles on it (all original, my mother was the 2nd owner and has had it for the past 3 years) and runs real good. I've had the fuel pump replaced (died at 65) for her along with the usual tuneups (new belts, plugs, wires, dist cap, pcv valve, etc.). First, I'm not sure if this applies to me but I think I hear the 'tick of death' from the engine. Its the metallic sound that gets faster when you hit the gas and could be the valves, do anyone know if the '82 EA81 has hydrolic lifters or not? Second, is there a 'dash kit' for the stereo. I noticed the speakers are common ground (its a 2spk setup) so its not a big deal to wire something in myself. I just don't want to cut the dash to peices to fit a new stereo in there since the interior is still in very good condition. The old radio doesn't work at all my guess being blown speakers or dead connections (its getting power and thats about it). Third, the optional A/C is installed but blows hot. The compressor turns fine and activates/deactivates as it should I just don't have any equipment for R12 systems to check pressure and such. I do have a gauge for R134a but its a cheap one for simple preassure check, not the dual hose/gauge type. If it needs more R12, I'll get the system flushed and have the system checked. How easy (or rather, would I need to get all new equip) is it to convert? I know of some R12 systems that are simple and some require a whole new compressor, evap and such. Forth, I'm getting a 'growling' when getting up to 50mph and slowing down to a stop. I'm thinking its a wheel bearing going bad but just wanted to see if anyone else had some ideas for me to check. I can get my way around cars, done a couple of engine swaps with friends (Old Taurus w/cracked block and an 85 Camaro) but learned if I didn't know the answers and couldn't find them myself, it never hurts to ask. Thanks