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I replaced the fuel pump, inlet screen, and filter and that appears to have been what the problem was. Thanks very much, everybody. Happy Trails!

While GD is correct in all his statements, you CAN turbocharge this engine and DD this car, but you'd better have a backup vehicle ready to go. No aftermarket of any substance exists, NOS parts supplies are quickly drying up and even the supply of parts cars is getting thin. The longterm method of keeping these cars on the road is an EJ-swap + 5-lug swap.

No one makes anything for that car. You can't even get timing components anymore to perform regular maintenance. The engine wouldn't handle a turbocharger in any case - too fragile. Also can't be tuned, compression is too high, etc, etc. Those cars are not really daily driveable even at this point. You can't get any parts to maintain them unless you buy up a fleet of parts cars. Best thing to do is swap the drivetrain with a WRX. But that costs a lot of money and is entirely custom. There's no kit for that either. GD

Yes , change the pump pickup filter with the pump.and change the engine side fuel filter ,just because its a good idea. Beware of buying the high dollar Bosh OE replacement pump... its poorly designed and will not fit your stock bracket.

If the vibration from the wobble was bad enough, it might have ruined a crank seal, which would allow it to puke everywhere.

If it ends up being the fuel pump, might as well do a fresh fuel filter while you are at it. If it still doesn't start with a shot of starting fluid, verify the coil is still good. @280k anything can fail. If it threw a code, it might be a garbage code from the stalling/dying, so verify the fuel/spark first before trying to dive into areas that might actually be OK.

I agree , check fuel pressure. Sounds like pumps heating up and barely working. Nice that Bennie understood the flashing ECU at least you know you have no codes yet.

Have you looked into a weak fuel pump, blocked fuel filter or pickup in the tank? The constant flashes of the ECU is the unit designation. It'll tell you which market it's been designed for. Eg USDM/JDM/AUDM etc. So your ECU does not have any stored codes which is a good thing. The only other thing I can think of is a dodgy O2 sensor that's not yet throwing a code but is upsetting things. Cheers Bennie

EA81 will not bolt up to the transmission, and will hit the steering shaft unless you use the cradle from an 81 Brat GL. If you use the 86 4 speed then you may be able to modify the cradle or something to fit them with the stock steering setup. I've never tried it. GD

Pump is bad. You will do all this work for nothing. Don't say you weren't warned. You MUST get a factory pump. Period. GD

link to GD's write up is broken or missing Bennie

Horn has power to it all the time. The ground is supplied when you hit the button in the wheel.