TheSamba.com :: View topic - Rocky Mountain Westy SVX conversion journal

Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:51 am

Wellington wrote: Tom Shiels is the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Think for a second, you bought small car's wiring diagram, did your own harness, but consulted Tom when you had problems. No financial gain here for Tom who does harnesses, is a great wealth of information, and posts daily helping all on the yahoo group.
I had Tom do my harness, but I think a great round of applause is due to Tom for his patience, wisdom and willingness to help everyone.

I agree 100%!!! A true steward of the industry.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:05 am

Yeah what a great guy! He was even willing to push his bedtime back a bit to help me solve this problem.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:36 am

Tom Shiels also helped me when my 2.2 Subaru was running rough. Spent time debugging, even sent me parts to install for diagnostic purposes (throttle body/TPS)..

In addition, after blowing the tailpipe off a Terry Kay Stainless muffler in 3 days, Tom Shiels came through with a Stainless Muffler that has kept its pipe on for the past 3 years..

I also use a Thermostat Housing from Tom, that solved some of the ridiculous cooling problems I had..

I highly recommend Tom, and his products..
http://www.subaruvanagon.com/

Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:54 pm

IT STARTED!!! :D

First try and it started, man I'm happy and relieved. No big smoke show or clanks, it sounded great.

I do have an oil leak though :cry:
It looks to be coming from the rear of the oil pan (the part right behind the trans). I'm not toooooo worried about this because from it's location it can't be anything significant. It could either be a)the oil pan b) the oil separator cover or c)the crank seal. It was a full on stream of oil so I highly doubt it's the crank seal. I'm lead more to believe that it's from a bad RTV gasket. I'm lead even more to believe it's the oil pan because of that depression on the rim where you put the RTV gasket, I think I might not have put enough which would explain the stream of oil. I stuck my fingers up to feel around the separator cover and felt nothing, or where it would be coming from the crank... it feels like it's coming right from the oil pan. Either way, whether it's any of these this *should* be an easy fix. Oil pan... no problem. If it's the others I would just need to remove the tranny. I'm just glad it's not something like the cylinder case.

No other leaks. My check engine light worked last night but is not working now... I'm pretty sure I wired something wrong(I was messing with it this morning) and I know exactly where it would be so I'll check on that later.

No explosions or flying rods and pistons. NO coolant leaks... whew!

I have a video uploading right now and will post it up tonight when it finishes.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:36 pm

Rubber Tramp wrote: IT STARTED!!! :D

AWESOME!

Congratulations.. I know you've gotta be stoked.

Video, please.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:40 pm

Yea, man! That deserves a Fat Tire, or two. :D

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:45 pm

Thanks guys! I feel great that it started first try, but I won't be completely happy until that oil leak is fixed and I know everything is working properly.

zimzam... I'll hold you to that :wink:

Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:13 pm

Wooo! Way to go Rubber Tramp! Im hoping that oil leak isnt from the breather cover, its a real bitch to fix...i speak from experience.

Congratulations! \:D/ =D>

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:32 pm

The muffler is not yet installed, so that ragged sound is normal for now.

8)

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:47 pm

Good work! I know it's a great feeling to hear it fire up the first time. Once you get your oil leak sorted out. Make sure your temp gauge is normal and steady and the radiator is warm before you rocket out of the driveway. On some conversions, getting the air bled out of the cooling system can be a real bear. I know your set-up is unique and it may bleed real easy. If so, I suspect you will soon see some imitators of your Subaru radiator and front mounted expansion bottle.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:04 pm

Thanks! And as much as I would love to just rocket out of my driveway I'm not going to. I'll be driving this like my 1.9 until I make it to Colorado... well maybe a little faster, but no pedal to the floor type stuff just yet.

I'll get some more videos posted as things go along. I'll include the radiator setup as well.

Huge thanks to everyone supporting me and helping me get this far! It's been a crazy journey. Lets just hope there's no more big surprises.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:18 pm

It's a great, feeling isn't it.
I am glad to hear that you got it started so easily. A oil leak is a minor nuisance that can be fixed easily. Don't forget to retighten all the clamps after a few drives.
Enjoy the open road! 8)

Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:11 pm

congratulations jason! it may seem miraculous that it started the first time, but you saw to its every detail, and its a subaru.
hell, i had three coolant drips and I forgot to tighten the power steering fitting. They reminded me quickly what I forgot. you will be amazed at the results of your efforts. good job! and thanks for the dimensions!

todd

Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:29 pm

Justin*** :)

Thanks Todd! Man I was very nervous and somewhat hesitant to turn the key because it would have been a huge bummer to spend all this time and hard work for it to go horribly wrong. I feel really good now though and am really proud of myself given this is my first time messing with an engine.

syncrodoka, ohhhh man I can't wait to take this on the open road! I'm sure I will thoroughly enjoy it. Feels great! I wish that video could portray how beastly this motor sounds.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:29 pm

awesome!

Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:13 am

Rubber Tramp wrote: I feel really good now though and am really proud of myself given this is my first time messing with an engine.

You totally should man, you put in a lot of hard work, and you did it well! Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

The first turn of the key of a new engine is an exhilarating experience. A weird mixture of excitement and dread.

Great work! Great documentation! You'll enjoy it for many years now. Thanks for taking us on the ride!

Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:45 am

Thanks a lot!

It's a bit mind blowing how far I've come:

Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:47 am

Congratulations!!!!!
I remember the excitement and fear that was going through me last year about this time when I turned the key for the first time on my Bostig conversion. I appreciate the awesome job that you have been doing keeping us all up to date on your progress. :D

Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:53 am

NAH, it's supposed to look like this..

Rubber Tramp wrote: Thanks a lot!

It's a bit mind blowing how far I've come:
BEFORE:

AFTER:

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:00 am

Rubber Tramp wrote: I'll be driving this like my 1.9 until I make it to Colorado...

Nice - drop me a line if you come up through the 4-corners area.