RavenTBK Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 I'm seriously considering doing an EA22 swap into my EA81 Brat. Searching for donors, I ran across a 2wd 1990 Legacy sedan in my favourite PAP. It wasnt wrecked, so I know that something major has died. The engine oil looks used, but in good condition, with no foam or bubbles underneath the oil fil cap. Radiator coolant looked in great condition, with no oil globs visible down the filler neck. Engine compartment is clean overall, looks like the car was well taken care of. Tranny dipstick reveals a nasty coloured fluid, which smelled like burnt charcoal. So I'm pretty confident that the tranny went belly up, which is why the legacy ended up in the JY. Other than dropping in a gas can full of gas into the tank, dropping a battery into the tray and trying to crank it up (it looks like it would crank and drive away..if I didnt know about the tranny).. are there any other simple checks I can do to verify the engine is in decent condition before I try to weasel a deal with the PAP for the whole car? Anything EJ specific that I should look at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT95 Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 I would imagine that pouring in some gas and dropping a battery would be your best bet and a lot quicker and easier than pulling off pieces to inspect the interiors of the engine. If the engine is shot, you'll hear the problem. Assuming they have the ignition key... I'm curious to find out what they end up asking you to pay for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenTBK Posted January 12, 2005 Author Share Posted January 12, 2005 I already know they dont have the key, but I can disassemble the column and pull the switch off the back of the key cylinder and use my trusty screwdriver to turn it. The initial price that was handed to me was $525.. but I'm gonna try to hog trade them a running/driving Nissan Altima for the complete Leg... all depending on if I continue on with the swap plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 If you want to buy this, pull the plugs and squirt in some oil. Then dry crank it to try and get some crankcase oil to the moving parts, then try to fire it up. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT95 Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 $525!!! Wow, that's a pretty penny. I wish I'd known you were looking earlier--my local u-pull-it-yerself junkyard just crushed a 91 Legacy wagon. I had actually considered pulling its engine and just hanging onto to tinker with for fun. Now it's in a stack of flat cars. They wanted $150 for it when I inquired a few months ago. Wonder how much of the engine survives when they smash a car? :-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 Look for some paperwork from the prior owner. I've had very good luck calling blind and asking for info on their old car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenTBK Posted January 12, 2005 Author Share Posted January 12, 2005 $525!!! Wow, that's a pretty penny. Yep. Unfortunately Subaru didnt quite catch on down here in Flarda. So theres not that much in the way of options for me to pull from. What makes it worse, is the JY I spotted this at, has a nasty habit of overcharging for everything, becase they know theres only one other place people can go hunting in town. Heh.. when looking for old gen parts, I'm basically out of luck..cause first off, there wasnt many here to begin with, and secondly, what was here has already been crushed because nobody was picking parts off them because of #1 above. :-\ This JY in particular, just to illustrate their tendency to overcharge.. $5 for a slotted alternator adjustment bracket off a trashed toyota (had to pay it cause I couldnt find any anywhere else).. $20 for a hood emblem off a Datsun Z.. and heres the kicker: $300 for a rear diff (pumpkin) off an EA82 wagon (which I didnt pay cause well.. its obvious ) In about a week or so, once I become more comfortable with the idea of the swap and the work involved, I'll take a battery up there and try to crank it up. If they'll accept my trade for the running and driving Altima, I think I'll still be coming out ahead as I've only got $200 in the Altima in exchange for a whole donor car for the swap. Thanks guys for your assistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT95 Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 $20 for a hood emblem off a Datsun Z.. I thought emblams were pocket freebies in overpriced lots... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RavenTBK Posted January 13, 2005 Author Share Posted January 13, 2005 They are. Thats just how much they said they wanted for one when I came through the office on my way out into the yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballitch Posted January 13, 2005 Share Posted January 13, 2005 I usually grab all sorts of pocket freebies at JY's, I say why the f**k not man! bastards over-charge for stupid stuff, $300 for a rear diff, damn you could get yourself one shipped from alaska and still have plenty of money left over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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