Outback resurrection

Discussion in 'Photo & Video Gallery' started by pleiades, Dec 1, 2020.

  1. pleiades
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    pleiades Well-Known Member

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    Some of you probably saw a 1998 Outback in the for sale section not long ago, fairly clean with low miles (for its age) but in need of some TLC. Most notably a head replacement but the car came with a plethora of spare parts. I ended up taking it in and fixing it up as a favor for my mother, finally got everything buttoned up and it seems to have turned out pretty decent. The engine was a little difficult, block was from a 2000 Legacy EJ251 and heads were from a 1996 Legacy GT EJ25D but it all worked out. Brief rundown of what I did with it:

    - Pulled the engine, replaced the heads, installed all new gaskets and timing kit. Donor heads used hydraulic valve lash adjusters so those got bled and reprimed to minimize noise
    - Modified plug wires to match heads to manifold (different style of ends)
    - Gave everything a deep cleaning inside and out, painted/polished a few engine pieces

    Other than the labor portion I replaced a lot of parts, some worn/broken and some just because I found them at U Pull:

    - battery
    - tires/wheels (OEM bugeye wheels I had, mounted 215/65R16 snow tires on them)
    - fuel line
    - alternator tensioner bracket
    - rotors/pads
    - front calipers
    - struts (taken off a 2006 Forester)
    - gate handle
    - cargo cover retainers
    - windshield visors (swapped in some with lights and mirrors, modified wiring to work)
    - wiper blades (also painted arms)
    - upgraded radio to OEM CD/tape deck
    - woodgrain dash trim
    - HD rubber floor mats
    - RT fog lamp (broken lens) and made new mounts for both sides
    - stuffed spare tire tool tray with a bunch of emergency supplies

    Ended up doing a lot more than originally planned but that's how my projects usually go. In all even with the purchase price, fluids and filters, etc it only ended up putting about $1,500 altogether. Not bad unless you start tallying up all the time I put into it.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2020
  2. pleiades
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    pleiades Well-Known Member

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    Few before and after photos...

    Screenshot_20201201-105936_Gallery.jpg

    Screenshot_20201201-105952_Gallery.jpg

    Screenshot_20201201-110004_Gallery.jpg
     

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  3. tangledupinblu
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    tangledupinblu Event Coordinator Staff Member

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    What are you asking for it? :frantic::frantic::)
     
  4. pleiades
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    pleiades Well-Known Member

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    Trade for a BRZ?:bounce:
     
  5. MidnightImpreza
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    MidnightImpreza Well-Known Member

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    Very impressive! Nice job. And the labor cost is priceless, because it was for your mom!
    :thumbup:
     
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  6. pillboy
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    pillboy Well-Known Member

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    That turned out great, especially the engine compartment. I can't believe that I am not seeing gaping holes in the rear quarters. That is the exact car my first wife and I bought - my first Subaru - traded in my '89 Mustang GT for it.
     
  7. pleiades
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    pleiades Well-Known Member

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    Not really relevant to the work I did, but I had to get a group photo of all the Subies in my driveway after pulling the Outback out of the garage.

    Screenshot_20201202-102829_Gallery.jpg
     
  8. tangledupinblu
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    tangledupinblu Event Coordinator Staff Member

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    Looks like a party! Better hope the neighbors don’t call it in...:unsure:
     
  9. pillboy
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    pillboy Well-Known Member

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    Good lord that's a lot loyalty sitting there. Subaru and Ford are the only brands I have purchased more than one in a row of and the Ford streak ended with the purchase of the 1989. By the time I am ready to get rid of a vehicle I am so pissed at that manufacturer I have to buy something else.
     
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