Saved this clunker from the scrapyard for at least a while.
Posted by NotAliasing@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 12 comments
For better or for worse, this subaru had a blown head and the original owner was going to send it to scrap, bought it and repaired it through various struggles, and here it is 200 miles dowm the road with no incidents. Was it worth it? Probably not, but i learned alot of lessons and alot about working with cars, specifically tearing apart engines.
Nola_R50@reddit
I had one of these but it was a 2006 sedan, 5 speed. I really wish it were more reliable, because it was a very fun car to drive. Pretty sure mine had a blown head gasket too, just wasnt leaking coolant into the cylinder. Didnt have the resources to fix it, so I sold it. Hope yours gives you thousands of fun miles, glad you were able to save it from the crusher!
NotAliasing@reddit (OP)
im hoping to get at least 2 winters out of the thing. next time it has a major breakdown will unfortunately be its last, as the rust is set to kill the thing within the next few years.
Nola_R50@reddit
Ah I see, well luckily you fixed the biggest issue with the EJ25. So I definitely think it'll get you 2 or 3 more years
NotAliasing@reddit (OP)
I have my suspicions but im fairly certain this is this cars fourth set of head gaskets. Guranteed to be at least its third, since i peeled off some felpros (which didnt visually look bad oddly enough, good chance the cooling system had a plug or bad cap, since i had to replace the cap to stop it from throwing the lower rad hose.
Hoping maybe it was just an inattentive owner since the inside is thrashed and ill be handing it off to a professional to give it some long overdue tlc.
FesteringNeonDistrac@reddit
Too late now, but if you deck the heads and use the OEM head gaskets from the same year STi you'll never have an issue with them again.
cdsbigsby@reddit
I have a Hawkeye wagon as well, mine runs and drives fine but probably isn't long for this world because it's rusted out horribly underneath.
How's the rust on yours?
NotAliasing@reddit (OP)
Rear shocks are a few years out from becoming internal components. Other than those areas, the unibody/frame are actually fantastic.
cdsbigsby@reddit
Yeah I've got a big hole in my driver's side rear wheelhouse. I would fix that, but the unibody where the rear suspension crossmember mounts is also very, very crusty. My poor 125k mile car.
somewhatsentientape@reddit
Is it a manual? Once you get head gaskets and wheel bearings down, it'll last you forever, lol.
NotAliasing@reddit (OP)
manual 5 speed, fun little zipper. my first manual car aswell. not as much power as im used to, though, but still fun.
Extension-Law-1495@reddit
I’m about to do the same with my family vehicle whose engine blew up last Friday. Economically it’s not viable, but who cares? I love the car and it’s a great way to learn mechanics!
TomGissing@reddit
Nice man. Love these types of builds. Bringing it back from the dead for practical, everyday usage.