R.I.P. 84 GL Wagon

[fubarood]

Well, it appears the day has finally come. My 84 GL Wagon is stuck in 4th
gear. I'm not surprised, as the 3rd synchros have been toast for quite a
while. My understanding had been that I'd see a continual decline in being
able to use 3rd, until finally, it would be gone. So I wasn't prepared for
it just failing suddenly the way it did, in 4th. It will coast when I put
the clutch in, but I can't shift any longer, even at a stop.

I'm told by a few mechanics that parts are nearly impossible to come by,
and the repair cost is very high, even if parts were available.

So, I'm kinda looking at options. A few Subie shops here (Denver, CO) have
them for sale, starting at $600. I'm pretty leery of anything that cheap,
because I figure it'd just need money thrown at it.

Does anyone have any experience with buying low-budget cars from Roos
Only, S-Wings, or Summit Auto Repair?

Dunno if for-sale stuff is considered off-topic here (I searched for an
FAQ). But obviously, unless I can come up with a reliable tranny fix for
not a lot of bucks, I need to get rid of the GL. S-Wings will give me
trade-in value for it. I could try to find an experimental aviation type
who wants the engine. Or maybe somebody would want it for parts? I'm going
to call CCR Enginges and see if they're interested.

It has about 134k miles. Actually, in pretty good condition, considering
it's age, other than the trans.

TIA for any advice.

 

[Hallraker]

Well, it appears the day has finally come. My 84 GL Wagon is stuck in 4th
gear. I'm not surprised, as the 3rd synchros have been toast for quite a
while. My understanding had been that I'd see a continual decline in being
able to use 3rd, until finally, it would be gone. So I wasn't prepared for
it just failing suddenly the way it did, in 4th. It will coast when I put
the clutch in, but I can't shift any longer, even at a stop.

I'm told by a few mechanics that parts are nearly impossible to come by,
and the repair cost is very high, even if parts were available.

So, I'm kinda looking at options. A few Subie shops here (Denver, CO) have
them for sale, starting at $600. I'm pretty leery of anything that cheap,
because I figure it'd just need money thrown at it.

Does anyone have any experience with buying low-budget cars from Roos
Only, S-Wings, or Summit Auto Repair?

Dunno if for-sale stuff is considered off-topic here (I searched for an
FAQ). But obviously, unless I can come up with a reliable tranny fix for
not a lot of bucks, I need to get rid of the GL. S-Wings will give me
trade-in value for it. I could try to find an experimental aviation type
who wants the engine. Or maybe somebody would want it for parts? I'm going
to call CCR Enginges and see if they're interested.

It has about 134k miles. Actually, in pretty good condition, considering
it's age, other than the trans.

TIA for any advice.

Yeah there's no FAQ for this group. I've thought about maybe throwing
together an unofficial one out of some old posts, but having a FAQ might
invite the rude FAQ-thumping types to come forward and make this place less
friendly.

Anyway, I've got no experience with the older Subies, but you've reached
that unfortunate 20 year point that occurs with almost any car. It's old
enough that parts are hard or impossible to come by, and you might even find
a few mechanics who won't even touch it because your car is so old. But it
isn't old enough or popular enough to be considered worthy of many of the
high end aftermarket solutions that are available for classic cars and such.
(So any aftermarket parts you do find might be of questionable quality.)

It's a shame because those old ones are so few and far between. The last
time I saw a BRAT was about a year ago, and I haven't seen a GL in at least
six months. But if I were you, I'd be thinking along the lines of parting
it out or getting rid of it entirely. A sad choice, but it might be the
best one.

-Matt

 

[schema]

Becaue many of thos 79 to 87 roos rusted out well before their time, there
is a dirth of parts availible at local junk yards, at least in
the North East. I just checked a few of them online and the average price
for a tranny was 300.00. Well worth it if your car is otherwise
ok.

 

[fubarood]

Becaue many of thos 79 to 87 roos rusted out well before their time, there
is a dirth of parts availible at local junk yards, at least in
the North East. I just checked a few of them online and the average price
for a tranny was 300.00. Well worth it if your car is otherwise
ok.

Some parts I don't mind buying used. A high-mileage transmission? Yeah, I
guess in terms of risk, it's no worse than a high-mileage used car. Still,
it isn't a comforting thought. I'm assuming over 100K miles on any tranny
from a car that hit the junkyard due to being rusted out.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will consider it.

 

[JazzMan]

Some parts I don't mind buying used. A high-mileage transmission? Yeah, I
guess in terms of risk, it's no worse than a high-mileage used car. Still,
it isn't a comforting thought. I'm assuming over 100K miles on any tranny
from a car that hit the junkyard due to being rusted out.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will consider it.

My '81 GL Wagon had 213k miles before the water pump failed
and the heads cracked. I've got an '84 I got for parts to
use the motor out of, it only had 130k miles and almost
no meaningful rust. I miss driving it, that cavernous space
for hauling is incredible. Whole washers or driers drop
right in.

Here in a few months I'll be getting it back on the road,
and unfortunately the '84 donor is likely to go out for
crushing as I can't seem to find any interest in free
parts from it.

JazzMan
--
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[Mike G]

Fubarood,

Have you checked out Super-Rupair in Boulder? The may have some fairly good
stuff. Their used parts dept. is fairly extensive.

Mike

 

[S]

Hi fubarood!

Well, it appears the day has finally come.

<snipper>

I have several GL/DL wagons, vintage 81-84. Alas, only one good 4WD
hi/lo box, and that's in use.
Are you planning to do the tranny swap yourself? I wouldn't think it
would be worthwhile to _pay_ someone to do it, as it involves a fair
bit of work; not difficult, just time consuming. Probably your best
bet will be to find a tranny at a junkyard. Three manual boxes offered
in Soobies of that vintage, the 4WD hi/lo as in your GL, a 4WD without
the hi/lo, and a 5spd FWD only. All will fit right into the car, tho,
same half-shafts and everything, tho you'll have to abandon the real
wheel drive if you install the 5spd. (No big deal, the rear drive
shaft unbolts from the rear diff, and everything else stays as-is)
Lotsa old GL/DLs around, I would think you could find a salvage tranny
for $150 or $200, maybe a bit more for a hi/lo. Alas, they're getting
hard to find (the hi/lo variety).
If your wagon is in decent shape, bodywise, I might be interested in
it if you decide to go that route, otherwise, be happy to provide
whatever help I can. I'm in Palmer Lake, Subaru capitol of the Known
Universe. Call or email.
Old Soobies never die, they just rust away . . . ;-)

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[fubarood]

Hi fubarood!

Well, it appears the day has finally come.

<snipper>

I have several GL/DL wagons, vintage 81-84. Alas, only one good 4WD
hi/lo box, and that's in use.
Are you planning to do the tranny swap yourself? I wouldn't think it
would be worthwhile to _pay_ someone to do it, as it involves a fair
bit of work; not difficult, just time consuming. Probably your best
bet will be to find a tranny at a junkyard. [snip]
Lotsa old GL/DLs around, I would think you could find a salvage tranny
for $150 or $200, maybe a bit more for a hi/lo. Alas, they're getting
hard to find (the hi/lo variety).
If your wagon is in decent shape, bodywise, I might be interested in
it if you decide to go that route, otherwise, be happy to provide
whatever help I can. I'm in Palmer Lake, Subaru capitol of the Known
Universe. Call or email.
Old Soobies never die, they just rust away . . . ;-)

It's been quite a while since I did my own wrenching, but I'm slowly
getting used to it again. If it's no more complicated than putting a
clutch into a Mustang II (74?) then in theory it would be no problem for
me to do it myself. Of course, the difference between theory and practice
is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.

According to one parts-finder site, there are trannies scattered around
from Eaton the Penrose.

Should I decide to chance a junkyard tranny, I'll likely ping you
off-group to arrange a peek at a shop manual, as I don't have one of
those, or if I decide it's best to just sell it.

I appreciate your kind offer.

 

[S]

Hi Again Fubarood!

It's been quite a while since I did my own wrenching, but I'm slowly
getting used to it again. If it's no more complicated than putting a
clutch into a Mustang II (74?) then in theory it would be no problem for
me to do it myself. Of course, the difference between theory and practice
is that, in theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.

TeeHee. I like that.

The older Soobies are pretty simple to work on; actually, the newer
ones are too. I have found it easiest to pull the engine and tranny as
a unit, do any necessaries while they are out, (clutch, TO/pilot
bearings, seals, etc.) and then slide 'em back in. The 4WD tranny
isn't _too_ heavy, perhaps 75-80lb, but too much to work with while
laying on your back under the car. 'Course it you have access to a
hoist and tranny jack . . .

But assuming you're doing a driveway swap, pull 'em together. Here's a
quick outline so you'll have an idea of what you're getting into.

Remove hood, drain coolant, pull radiator, disconnect hoses,
electricals, AC pump, PS pump, etc, and set aside. Pull center console
pieces to expose shifters, loosen rubber boot, and remove shift
levers.
Set car on jackstands, drain tranny, remove Y pipe and rear bracket,
motormount nuts, roll-pins from axles, tranny mount nuts and
crossmember (support tail with a floor jack), front swaybar, rear
drive shaft (more 90wt will come out).
Hook shop crane or whatever to lifting hooks on motor and lift to
clear motormounts. Work engine side to side to free front axles.
Lift engine/tranny free of car (may have to reposition lifting point a
bit, but all will clear easily), and set on floor or cart. Total
weight of engine and tranny probably ~250lb.
Do whatever needs doin', and reinstall as above.
This is all accomplished with basic hand tools, except for the
necessary lifting apparatus. You can buy a real nice shop crane from
Checker or Harbor Freight for ~$150, or rent one.

According to one parts-finder site, there are trannies scattered around
from Eaton the Penrose.

Should I decide to chance a junkyard tranny, I'll likely ping you
off-group to arrange a peek at a shop manual, as I don't have one of
those, or if I decide it's best to just sell it.

Feel free.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[fubarood]

The older Soobies are pretty simple to work on; actually, the newer
ones are too. I have found it easiest to pull the engine and tranny as
a unit, do any necessaries while they are out, (clutch, TO/pilot
bearings, seals, etc.) and then slide 'em back in. The 4WD tranny
isn't _too_ heavy, perhaps 75-80lb, but too much to work with while
laying on your back under the car. 'Course it you have access to a
hoist and tranny jack . . .

Well, with a decent floor jack, still less stuff to unplug, etc. than
pulling the engine.

But assuming you're doing a driveway swap, pull 'em together. Here's a
quick outline so you'll have an idea of what you're getting into.

Remove hood, drain coolant, pull radiator, disconnect hoses,
electricals, AC pump, PS pump, etc, and set aside. Pull center console
pieces to expose shifters, loosen rubber boot, and remove shift
levers.

[snip]

Oooph! Makes the $200 I was quoted for doing the install look pretty good.

Feel free.

At the moment, I'm feeling stuck. Well, soon remedied, I hope.

 

[Ed Fortmiller]

While you have the tranny out you should think of replacing the rear main
engine seal - they are easy to replace and not all that costly.

I've had problems with two '82s with the 5-spd leaking oil out the front
tranny seal. Unfortunately to replace that seal you need to split the case.

--
Ed Fortmiller | (e-mail address removed) | Hudson MA
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* To avoid getting a lot of SPAM junk mail, I have altered my REPLY-TO
* address. PLEASE remove the leading "RUBBISH" from my REPLY address.
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* automatically be discarded without me even seeing it.

 

[fubarood]

Well, it appears the day has finally come. My 84 GL Wagon is stuck in 4th
gear. I'm not surprised, as the 3rd synchros have been toast for quite a
while. My understanding had been that I'd see a continual decline in being
able to use 3rd, until finally, it would be gone. So I wasn't prepared for
it just failing suddenly the way it did, in 4th. It will coast when I put
the clutch in, but I can't shift any longer, even at a stop.

So, what happened was that I found an incredibly good deal on a '90 Ford
Escort GT. Too good to pass up, so I bought it.

Thanks for your comments. I've already let S know that the Subie is now
for sale.

Best,