resto of 2 deluxes

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jerry
Posts: 2
Joined: 5 years ago

resto of 2 deluxes

#1 Post by jerry »

Hello everyone
My name is Jerry, I'm in Minnesota and just recently purchased two 1971 deluxe's. Both needing total restores.
I see parts are the main issue, and I'm glad that this site is here.
I have two extra engines to part out, and would like to maybe do some swamping with other members who might have extra parts also.
I'm retired now so these are my full time hobbies at the moment. I have a couple of questions that if anyone knows? What is the measurement of the standard piston?
What is the deal with the foam under the skid plate? And how can one get the seats reupholstered without breaking the bank, I just had one place quote me $1600.00 just to make covers! Not happening.....lol.

subaru360nut
Club Founder - 360 Guru
Posts: 4000
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Tucson AZ (I'm Ed Parsil)

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#2 Post by subaru360nut »

Jerry - welcome to The Club! Your sedans were made in 1970, but
sold and were first licensed in 1971 which is why your titles say 1971 -
but do not argue with the DMV, just know that the parts for your cars
are 1969-70 (some '68 parts are different)

The least expensive way to get your seats upholstered is DIY.
When I bought a '70 sedan (for parts) in 1977 the upholstery was
already in shreds. When I found enough other parts to put it on the
road I went to a fabric store and bought a remnant of genuine
Naugahyde, maroon, for $11. I cut the pieces and took several long
strips to an upholsterer who made welt from them for $3. I got a
big spool of maroon upholstery thread and a set of needles including
curved ones from J C Whitney for $2. It took me a month of spare time
but with zero labor cost I upholstered all the seats for $16. total.

21 years and 125,000 miles later when I sold the sedan completely
restored, the upholstery still looked like it had just been done.

Of course, the parts costs will have gone up in 40 years, but I think
you can probably do both cars for under $100. I still have more than
enough thread and all the needles if Whitney doesn't, and I will never
use them so e-mail me if you are going to do it this way.

See P. 89-90 in the BOOK OF REPRINTS for all the measurements of
stock and oversize pistons, rings, etc.

Goof luck with your restorations, these are really simple vehicles
and much easier to work on than Detroit Dinosaurs. I have
restored 3 sedans, 2 vans, a pickup and a Fastrack II without
incurring any major injuries :D

Ed
300,000+ miles on Subaru 360s since Feb. 1975, and have never (yet) been stuck on the road with one!

jcimino
360 Master
Posts: 386
Joined: 8 years ago
Location: Dushore, PA

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#3 Post by jcimino »

Jerry, welcome to the club. This is great place for answers.
Jim Cimino

oldone
360 Master
Posts: 4655
Joined: 13 years ago
Location: Norman Okla / OU SOONERS Thunder

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#4 Post by oldone »

Welcome aboard. You made a good choice in joining this group of diehard 360 Subie keepers and fans. I'm also retired & am in the slow process of restoring a sedan & have a pretty much original truck.

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books1
360 Master
Posts: 5561
Joined: 13 years ago
Location: Perth, Western Australia ..... Young SS downunder

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#5 Post by books1 »

Hi Jerry, ....... What he said -----^ Except my sedan resto is slower :D :lol: - and not yet retired.

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kjrcace360fan
360 Master
Posts: 3115
Joined: 13 years ago
Location: Charleston, West Virginia

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#6 Post by kjrcace360fan »

Welcome to the club. Some pics would be nice. I have several parts available. Replacement pistons are still available. I'm pretty sure stock size is 61.5 mm

Below is a link to my source since memory isn't what it once was.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2049&hilit=pistons&start=100
Spud the Orange Young, Hippie (Sold), DB1 Yatch car, DB2 Cheesburger dune buggy

subaru360nut
Club Founder - 360 Guru
Posts: 4000
Joined: 18 years ago
Location: Tucson AZ (I'm Ed Parsil)

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#7 Post by subaru360nut »

I forgot about the foam under the skid plate -
it appears to serve the function of absorbing the
transaxle oil that seeps out of every 360 power unit :D

Obviously the metal skid plate protects the underside of
the power unit from objects flying up from the road, and
the foam does very little of that. I always replaced the foam
with new (density doesn't matter) whenever I took a power
unit apart.

Ed
300,000+ miles on Subaru 360s since Feb. 1975, and have never (yet) been stuck on the road with one!

jerry
Posts: 2
Joined: 5 years ago

Re: resto of 2 deluxes

#8 Post by jerry »

Thanks everyone for the replies, very helpful indeed.
If I may add I've found a great place for inexpensive oil seals, except for the diff seals which I'm having trouble with because of the unusual lip that is off set.
www.metricsealsinc.com, use the number on the seal to get the right one, front drum seals, engine oil seals all under 10$.

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