MaddCelt Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) With my Brat sidelined I was out looking for another car. Things were looking bleak. Then my wife's ability to spot a Subie didn't fail us. She spotted a 98 Outback Legacy sitting behind a building that turned out to be the dealership we were looking to pay a visit to. So we walked out in the back to take a look at it. It is is excellent condition. Only one minor rust spot due to a ding, the rest is clean. The interior is like new, non-smoker from the looks of it. 120K miles The kicker, the engine is sitting in the back. The owner was a mechanic that worked there and it had a blown head gasket, so they pulled the engine to do the work but between lack of time and lack of exp on Subie engines, it got mothballed. Has all the parts and gaskets for the job. Got talking with the owner of the dealership and he wanted $750 for it but said he said it was worth $300 for scrap when I first talked to him. SO when I came back I offered $300 and I'd have it off his property today. He chewed on it for a bit and said $500. If I waited a day or so he would let it go for $300 but he would be trying to get money back on the gaskets and new parts. The gasket set alone is worth $200, so after consulting my mechanic who was there to look it over before the offering began, We took it for $500. So now I am having it put together for around $500. All told I'm looking at $1500 to have it up and running and tuned up. Anyone have links for engine rebuilding in case it's needed? Edited February 14, 2011 by MaddCelt Added pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silber Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 nicely done! about six months ago I bought the same car I love the car. also have an 85' brat! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 The owners manual says you can disengage the AWD for service reasons, can it be driven like that on a regular basis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 The owners manual says you can disengage the AWD for service reasons, can it be driven like that on a regular basis? No. You will eventually burn out the duty-c solenoid.... this is an automatic right? If it's a manual you can't disengage the AWD at all. Why would you want to disable the AWD? GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 It's a 5 speed. Was just curious, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 No way to disengage AWD on a manual trans. The manual transfers power through the center differential before it even goes to the front and rear axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Got pics up finally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2manetoys Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Congrats man! Sharp looking ride. And 5spd too! LMK if you find another Subie Wagon with a 5spd under $2k. I check craigslist daily, but I can't check all the streets. Ideally, I'll find a 96 Outback with the 5spd, but I can only find 10 of them in the Country on Autotrader. And as much as I'd LOVE to visit the Subie masters that inhabit the PNW, it's not feasible time or money-wise right now. So, I'm looking for something cheap that will do for now that's closer to home (Indiana midway between Indianapolis & Louisville KY). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Wish the wagon I just bought had the 5 speed, but I won't be too picky after searching for 3 months for the right one to come along. :-p Good find BTW. Your wife is one good woman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 I was stoked when I saw the 5 speed. After a year in the Brat I have gotten to dislike driving an automatic. I drive my wife's Jeep Liberty to work for the time being and I feel like I am forgetting to do something or I will try to throw myself out the windshield when I attempt to hit the clutch when I am not paying attention. Now I'll have to remember there is a 5th gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 First rear engine Outback that I have ever seen............. Body looks great, shouldn't be too hard to put back together, if all the parts are there. Keep us posted on your latest project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 I stopped in today to have a look at the Wagon and check the brakes. All the brakes checked out fine. Stopped by the junk yard and picked up a stock radio with the CD player and a cargo tray. Me hard at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 After driving 4 speeds, then driving a 5 more regularly I think you will find that it isn't that you will forget to shift the Outback to 5th as much as you will try to shift the Brat into 5th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share Posted February 16, 2011 Now I certainly see myself doing that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Got a few steps further on getting the engine back together. Since we had all the needed seals we pulled the valves and replaces the seals. What I found interesting was that there was a lot of carbon build-up one only one set of valves. Any ideas why that would be? So now the heads are ready to go back on the block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 One set? You mean one side? One cylinder? Intake vs exhaust valves? Generally your exhaust valves will be cleaner since the heat of the exhaust will burn off most carbon buildup on the valve as it passes by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) One side, Not sure which ones as I have not seen the engine together to determine which it was. Based on what you said about exhaust, it's likely the intake. Edited February 21, 2011 by MaddCelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted March 24, 2011 Author Share Posted March 24, 2011 Just an update of the engine rebuild. This has turned out to be more work than we thought. So far we have had to replace; Cam shaft ($212) Radiator ($110) idler pulley ($65) crankshaft pulley, mounting bracket for alternator ($45) Clutch set ($190) Turned fly wheel ($40) Head bolts ($65 a set) So, I'm up to $1692ish with mech cost. Despite the wife's grumbling about how much it's costing, I'm only about $200 over the budget set for it. Today we drop the engine back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durania Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 After driving 4 speeds, then driving a 5 more regularly I think you will find that it isn't that you will forget to shift the Outback to 5th as much as you will try to shift the Brat into 5th. Quoted for greatness and I can relate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 UPDATE The Wagon fired up today! First time in 4 years. I was even able to drive it for a bit! Still got bugs to work out but IT IS ALIVE!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Got a few steps further on getting the engine back together. Since we had all the needed seals we pulled the valves and replaces the seals. What I found interesting was that there was a lot of carbon build-up one only one set of valves. Any ideas why that would be? So now the heads are ready to go back on the block. Bad spark plug wire, or bad plug not firing can lead to carbon build up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Funny you should mention that. One of the bugs we have to work out had to do with lack of power and rough running. When we pulled the plugs on the drivers side they were black and no sign of firing. When we got to the other side there was a tremendous heat difference and the plugs looked like they should when firing. New plugs in and new wires in route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Funny you should mention that. One of the bugs we have to work out had to do with lack of power and rough running. When we pulled the plugs on the drivers side they were black and no sign of firing. When we got to the other side there was a tremendous heat difference and the plugs looked like they should when firing. New plugs in and new wires in route. Recommend either OEM or Bosch plug wires. Buying the cheapies from a parts store will cause problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaddCelt Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 The Wagon is now on the road at last! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Cha-ching! I might be able to say that about mine too after this weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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