New (to me) '92 Loyale, pics, questions.

[Syonyk]

So... I just got back from a dealership with a '92 Loyale. It's sitting in my driveway now. I paid a good bit for it (right around $2k), but it has almost no rust (and the rust on it is surface rust), it's very solid mechanically, it has working blizzard blaster AC, came with a set of studded snow tires, and... is pretty much exactly what I was looking for in a Subaru.

 

The pics first, then the questions.

 

 

 

 

Onto my questions:

 

1. Oil pressure: It's around 55-60PSI on a cold start, drops down to 20-25PSI when running on the highway when it's warmed up. Oil pump reseal?

 

2. The power steering pump leaks a bit & makes a slight mess. I'm not entirely sure where it's leaking from yet. Are there any common places to look?

 

3. The fender dents. It's not a huge deal, but is there a good way to repair those? I'm not opposed to taking it to a body shop, if it'll look good when done.

 

4. The rust by the driver's side rear door: It's just surface rust, so... wire brush, sandpaper, prime, bondo, paint? Anything special there? There's a bit of paint bubbling on the door, too. I'm planning to fix that while I'm at it.

 

4a. Where does one find matching paint?

 

5. The underside is, so far, fairly rust free. There are a few patches of some light surface rust. I want to keep this car as clean as possible, as long as possible. How should I go about doing this? I'm not opposed to a good undercoating, if needed, once the rust is removed.

 

6. Window tint. Does anyone have pictures of silver EA82s with window tint? I expect it'd look pretty sharp.

 

7. The wheels... eh. Three of the white ones, not 4. I have a brand new set of tires mounted on the stamped steel rims. They're a bit rusty, though. What looks good? I'm not opposed to a set of Subaru hubcaps, I was thinking of possibly having the tires removed, getting the steel rims sandblasted & powder coated black, and using them. Thoughts?

 

8. The stereo is stock. This needs to change. I have a nice head unit & adapter plate that I was planning to use in my GL, but... I just kind of ziptied the stereo in & left it. I'll do it right this time. Is the stock wiring good enough to use, or should I run my own speaker wire out to the doors? Also, what size speakers fit without interfering with the windows? I know the stock speakers are fairly shallow.

 

8a. Thoughts on adding rear speakers? Is there a good place for 'em that doesn't interfere with cargo room too much?

 

9. The power windows all work, but some are a bit slow to go up. Is this just something I can lubricate & fix, will it keep working indefinitely like this, or should I be eyeing replacement motors/wiring?

 

10. The driver's side mirror is hanging down a bit, and is loose at the hinge. I haven't been able to take a good look at it, but is this something that's easy to fix, or does it need to be replaced?

 

11. Anything else anyone would like to add? This is my 3rd EA82 Subaru, and by far the nicest. I want to keep it as nice as possible, as long as possible. And eventually look at putting a WRX drivetrain in (in another 5+ years).

 

Thanks!

 

-=Russ=-

[msteel]

2. The power steering pump leaks a bit & makes a slight mess. I'm not entirely sure where it's leaking from yet. Are there any common places to look?

 

The two bolts that go through the reservoir hold it onto the pump. Start there. If they're loose, it'll leak out onto the top of the pump.

[rllywgn]

ill give this a shot..

 

1. your pressure sounds good, 50-70 on cold start, when warm you should have 10psi (or so) for every 1k rpm..

 

2. mine leaks around the resevoir base.. maybe there..

 

3. the fenders may be easier to replace then repaire in some cases (money) your local junkyard should be able to help..

 

4. your paint process sounds good, the rear wheel well has a tendency to rust through pretty easy.. take care of the rust soon.. POR15 works well for rust if it isnt major

 

5. same as above

 

6. no pics but tint is always nice

 

8. the stereo.. get a scosche harness ( any car audio store should be able to get this) running your own speaker wire will help ALOT, the factory wiring uses a common ground. I used 5 1/4" speakers in all doors.. very easy.. very few 5 1/4"s will NOT fit.. meaning almost all will work..

 

8a. i always thought the rear hatch panel would be a good spot to put some speakers, but it would need bracing and cutting..

 

9. use grease on the window brackets.. they "dry" out.. certainly after this long.. sometimes the motors due go south but, start with the grease

 

10. with the mirror off the door (3 screws and a plug) you may be able to get to the fold back hinge..

 

11. hmm... 5 lug conversion.. rear disks conversion.. are you gonna be more street? or more dirt?

 

hope this is a step in the right direction for ya... nice car

 

rllywgn

[torxxx]

that dent in the right front fender would be a waste of your time fixing due to the fact that its a sooby. Get one same color from a junkyard because the amount of time and bondo that would go into fixing that dent isnt really worth it when you can go buy a 20 dollar fender

[Syonyk]

This will be a street car almost entirely. I may do some offroad stuff with it on occasion, but it's pretty much going to be on pavement it's entire life.

 

I was thinking about getting the steel rims powder coated a gloss black - does that look any good?

 

-=Russ=-

[rllywgn]

the wagon wheels you have 3 of are cool.. keep an eye for a 4th and have them painted or powdercoated and they'll look real sharp.. imo

 

 

rllywgn

[Syonyk]

the wagon wheels you have 3 of are cool.. keep an eye for a 4th and have them painted or powdercoated and they'll look real sharp.. imo

 

 

rllywgn

 

Actually, I found the 4th - it was being used for one of the snow tires in the back. So I have 4.

 

-=Russ=-

[WagonsOnly]

This guy:

 

http://www.geocities.com/svxdc/WRXharness.htm

 

has some Subaru stereo install tips, and information on the wire color-coding for most years.

 

I went with a Metra harness into the stereo and then clipped the forward harness out of a junked Impreza for my stereo (I have a WRX 6-disc CD/AM/FM/Cass installed in my wagon). But separate ground wires would be better.

 

The mirror, like he said, is only 3 screws. Just get a new one.

 

Paint and rust...strip the weatherstripping off the doors and sand/primer/paint any nicks. Also around the door edges, hatch edges, etc.--anywhere there may have been nicks that exposed bare metal. Catch it now. As for the paint, some dealers with body shops can mix a small batch of touch-up from the paint code. Or any reputable body shop or paint shop that's been around for a couple years should also have the paint chip set and code instructions.

 

Take care and enjoy her for many years to come!

[Syonyk]

There are a lot of little rusted scrapes & nicks & such. Plus the bigger area by the wheel.

 

Do I need to do anything special after sanding it out other than paint it? I figure down the road a few years I might have it professionally painted, but I just want to keep additional rust damage to a minimum.

 

Also, does anyone have thoughts on undercoating an old gen (other than "stay away from the driveshaft")?

 

-=Russ=-

[SOOBOUTLAW]

Those dents on the pass. fender shoulda knocked off a grand.(body shop est.)