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Running issues and a couple questions.


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I put an ea81 in my 79 brat. I have no experience with carburaters. Even though I had an 86 brat, it was fuel injected. We got it running, but it runs for like 10 seconds and then dies. Not sure why. Then, we started it again, this time I turned the key off, and even removed it, and it continued to run, like I hadn't touched the key. Another question is, the harness in the brat has 4 wires for the alternator. 1 big white one goes to the post on the alt. Then there's 2 that are in a plug that plugs into the back of the alt. Then there's a black one with a spade connector that has no place to go. Where would this go? I'm assuming g the original ea71 alt. had a spot for it. Any idea or tips or anything is appreciated. Thank you!

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The fuel pump electrical supply is complicated in the first gen cars.  I would slap in a generic electric pump and direct wire it to a trusted electrical source, or direct wire the existing pump.   If it stays running problem solved (or problem by-passed).  I would do this prior to any tinkering with the carburator.    

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As far as the fuel pump goes, I would get the wiring and fuel pump control box for the EA81. Here's why:

 

In an accident, this box is designed to shut the fuel pump down, or shut it off if the engine stops running. Lets say you have an accident and a fuel line is ruptured or you end up upside down. Unless you have the foresight to turn the key off (or you're unconscious and CAN'T turn it off) you now have fuel running everywhere. One good spark or a heat source and it's scorched Earth, total, wholesale destruction. Add to that, if anyone else were to be injured or killed by this fire and an investigation were performed, you would be held liable even if you didn't cause the accident. At the very least, I would go get an inertia switch from an 85-95 Ford Escort and wire it into the power circuit. At least it will shut it down in case of a collision.

 

It's been a while since I owned a Gen1, but I believe they had a female spade wire that attached to a male spade that was attached to the alternator housing as a ground to help control the electrical 'whine'.

 

As for running when you shut it off, you either have a switch problem or you wired it wrong and the coil is always getting power. The start and die issue is most likely junk in the float bowl on the carb. You'll need to take the top off and blow it out. Or it could be the pump wiring.

Edited by skishop69
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So I followed what was done in this link: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/45537-does-anyone-know-about-the-alternator-swap/

 

But of course that means it's wired for the fuel pump to be on with the key. So I'd like to do something now to make it have the safety feature again. But the bright side is, it runs properly and shuts off with the key!

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Woohoo! lol Again, get a fuel pump inertia switch for an 85-95 Ford Escort and wire it inline with the power to the fuel pump. Mount it anywhere convenient, in a VERTICAL position where you can easily get to it to reset it if you need to. If you mount it outside the passenger compartment, you'll need to make sure it's well covered to prevent water intrusion. If you have an accident, it'll shut the pump down and can be reset later.

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