September 25, 2023

Rust Diaries: Post scriptum

Since Tomek is currently laying down the carpet in the Impreza and will soon start installing the seats, I thought it would be a good time to write a little summary.

Is it worth it?

Yes, definitely yes. Time takes its toll, and although this particular example was in objectively good condition (see sills, shock absorber mounts, and fenders), I don’t know how it would have looked in a few years time. Now, I can sleep a bit more peacefully. Besides, there’s a lot of fun in all this work — we laughed like beavers chomping on aspen twigs. There’s also satisfaction — maybe not exactly “build not bought”, but something along those lines.

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September 21, 2023

Rust Diaries: The interior

During the summer holidays, we stripped the interior from the dashboard to the trunk; now it’s time to finish the job. Although I’m already in Poznań, Tomek is still working on it. The condition is actually very good, no holes or deep rust pitting.

The method is exactly the same as for the undercarriage: stripping, sanding, and using the chemicals. The only difference is that instead of Cobra, Tomek is applying 02C paint as the final layer.

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September 18, 2023

Rust Diaries: All things are important, but some are more important

Of the important ones, with a big smile on my face, I’m happy to report that the Impreza will soon have all its clips in perfect condition. I spent a fair bit of time under the car and noted all the missing, broken, and suspiciously hanging by a thread clips, and as always, my local Subaru specialists stepped up to the task. I’m also really happy about the sponges for the fuel tank roll over valve and fuel pump access flap, they were in pretty bad shape, and are notoriously hard to come by.

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August 22, 2023

Rust Diaries: The chemicals

Since I’m not a painter and don’t really have anyone to consult on the matter, the only thing left for me to do was to go through a huge number of threads where car enthusiasts battle with the oxidation of iron and its alloys. The real results are delayed, so my choices will be verified in a few years — who knows, maybe I’ll have to eat my words. Here are my conclusions, in the order of application (for the visually inclined, photos follow).

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August 21, 2023

Maintenance: Engine break-in

Engine break-in begin: 56533km.

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August 21, 2023

Rust Diaries, Day 24: The engine

If you know your Subarus, you should know that with those flat fours, it’s a tale of “when”, not “if”. With a slight summer delay, I’m reporting the pickup of the Impreza from Nowy Sącz. It started innocently enough, but ended the way it always does. The list consists of 59 items, and the bill… a bit more than 59 PLN. The cylinder hone to the first oversize, and everything associated with it, was done properly, without cutting corners on costs.

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August 15, 2023

Rust Diaries, Day 23: On its own wheels

We’re wrapping up this project. Floor pan splash shield and the rear diffuser. Exhaust.

Front and rear bumpers with lights. Wheels. And after a month, the car is back on its very own BBS forged alloys.

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August 14, 2023

Rust Diaries, Day 22: The end is in sight...

…or maybe: The end is near!

The front and rear brakes are installed, and while we were at it, the handbrake shoes were replaced.

The front wheel arches, mudguards and rocker panel covers are installed. All the missing clips have been replaced.

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August 12, 2023

Rust Diaries, Day 21: Fuel filler neck

The fuel filler neck is assembled. It might sound like a silly little part, and it is, but there are plenty of components to put together, not to mention all the pipes going in and out of the vapor canister.

The rear sway bar and a pair of new links have been installed because the old ones had an encounter with an angle grinder.

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