Subaru GL project

Finally back on track

2009-07-29T20:33:00.000-07:00

Needing room in the garage for more important things (read motorcycles), I've finally begun to button up the loose bits under the bonnet. With the engine mostly reassembled and accessories bolted on, it's time to address the electrical wires and vacuum lines. Taking detailed pictures before disassembling makes all the difference when putting it all back together again.

Until next time, and the next pint!

More reconstruction progress

2009-02-11T16:58:00.000-08:00

The valve covers, water pump and some timing bits went on this evening over a bit of Sam Adams' Cream Stout. I'll update these posts with pics as soon as I find the time.

Until then...

Engine reassembly started

2009-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

I finally found some free time (and motivation) to begin reassembling the engine. I pulled the engine off the transmission and rotated it forward to get to the oil pan gasket. After replacing that, and reinstalling the engine block, I began to work on the heads and cam housings. Now that those are done, I'm about to put the valve covers back on and work on the top side. I'm not looking forward to the wiring and hoses, but I'll get through it eventually...

Slow progress

2009-01-12T10:54:00.000-08:00

Not much free time to dedicate to the wagon lately. I've been gathering parts and reading about Subaru's more recently, not wanting to go out in the cold garage much...

Another step completed today...

2008-12-14T21:30:00.000-08:00

I finally cleared out some space in the garage to work on the wagon. It's tight, but it'll do. I mostly want light and heat this winter. That should help get me motivated to work on the thing...

Up next, getting a water pump, PCV valve and an oil pan gasket...

Both cylinder heads are removed and waiting on my work bench for re-installation.

Driver's side cylinder head and cam housing removal

2008-11-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

The driver's side cam housing came off easy enough... I rounded off one of the three 10mm bolts holding the timing gear on... After removing the housing from the car, I took it in to the garage and mounted it in the bench vise. I used my Dremel to grind the head down to a 9mm. This was not as difficult as I had imagined it would be. I just kept grinding and using my micrometer to check my progress. When it was as close as possible, I tapped the socket on the bolt lightly with a hammer. One easy nudge and it came right off, then into the trash! I guess that is a byproduct of trying to do this much work to the engine without removing it from the car...

More to come when I find free time!

Right-side cylinder head removed

2008-11-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon working off and on, drinking seems to slow me down somewhat...

The cam housing came off fairly easily, giving a good view of the cylinder head. When removed, the cam housing dropped the rockers to the ground. I did not expect that, but how does one keep them in place when reinstalling the cam cover?

The cylinder head also came off easily, but having the engine on a stand in the garage would have made things simpler. I could have used my air impact. I lost my 17mm socket for the 1/2" drive and had to go out and get another... I thought I might break something using a 3/8" drive.

Once I got a look at the bottom of the head, I could see where oil and coolant had been leaking slightly over time, making a sticky mess. Everything looks good enough to me to simply replace the gaskets and go on. The engine has an unknown number of miles, but shows little sign of abuse or excessive wear.

I like the little EA82, but FI would have been nice. For the price, I am not going to complain. If I get to a point where I really like the Soob and want to have it more reliable or powerful, I may get a JDM EA82 turbo or do an EJ conversion, maybe even reinstalling the rear drive.

I do feel confident, as I have supervision on the project.

Water pump inconsistencies

2008-11-09T13:30:00.000-08:00

Here is a pic of the old pump versus the new one. I bought a pump and got the wrong one. I need the long shaft version...

Independence weekend update

2008-11-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

I got as far as the timing bits over the holiday weekend. I made time in between drinking. I don't have a water pump yet, but I will before putting it all back together.

I have a full gasket and timing kit right now, so off come the valve covers and cylinder heads. It is a shame to need to do this, as the engine was really smooth. But she leaks oil from the cylinder head gaskets, so forward I go. My manual seems easy enough to follow so far, nothing out of the ordinary from a V-engine. It is a bit cramped on the valve covers to the fenders, so I see how pulling the engine would make it all easier. Alas, I have no room to do the work, nor a lift and stand...

Until next time! Same Soob time, same Soob channel!

Well, I do need a cage for the two days a year that I do not ride my motorbike to work. It is an '07 with 20k miles. At that rate, I will pass up this 237k Soob in a few more years

I got the wrong water pump, probably because I do not know the year of the engine... I am about to work on removing the heads this weekend so I can clean get the gaskets back on. Been a while since I have done timing work, so I am trying to not move the valvetrain at all... I just hope that it passes Texas emissions after all the work is done.

Intake and accessories removed

2008-11-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

I drained the oil and coolant yesterday. I got the intake removed and off came the starter as well, though the lower bolt was difficult. I turned the engine to TDC and marked it with White-out. I almost got to remove the main pulley, but it got too dark. I have no A/C, so the remaining plumbing moves out of the way easily. I am just taking my time and taking many pics along the way to keep it organized.

Next off should be the timing covers and valve covers. Sometimes, I wish I had a shop with a engine lift and stand to rebuild this properly...

I know a newer model would be nice, but I love the classics. More on the next episode!

p.s. Can anyone find the year of an engine by it's serial number?

Building up a bad ass 4WD GL wagon was a thought that kept jumping into my mind. I really like the idea. Maybe the next one. For this one, it only has the FWD transmission. Swapping out all those parts is just not something I have time for right now. I am just going to get her running well with what I have. Maybe in the future when I have more free time, I will look at doing another wagon, maybe even with a little lift. Sitting up on the blocks, I do really like the height.

Carb'd EA82 in an 88 GL wagon, time to get to work!

2008-11-09T13:23:00.001-08:00

Well, I have put it off long enough. My 88 GL wagon has a carb'd engine swapped out for the original. It ran when I got it, but idled high and leaked fluids. The engine ran smooth enough to want to keep it and just do some maintenance. The body indicates 4WD, but there is no rear axle or driveshaft. Someone probably took the bits from this one for another project.

I have a full gasket kit, timing kit and have the carb out, partially rebuilt already. She's up on blocks in my back yard right now asking for some attention. Then body has 237k miles, no idea about how many miles are on this engine, or if it is only the second one.

I am going to attack it this weekend and remove the heads. I really like the car, for the age she's in great shape.

The RX was going to be a donor, but was in horrible shape throughout. It only donated a few bits like an alternator, battery (core saved me $ as it was still covered under warranty), spare tire and some small accessories. I even got $50 more for the RX than I paid! I mounted my old Yakima rack from my old 84 4WD Tercel and now I feel more of an attachment to her. My original plan was to take the drive train and convert my GL to a DR manual, turbo 4WD wagon. It sounded good until I really got in to the RX, what a rats nest! At least I got more than I gave for it...