moosens

More than a couple times I’d run into a young DMV employee or such and they’d just be amazed and say things like “this isn’t right” or “I think you’re missing some numbers” , silly kids.

Here on the east coast of the USA our 1979 was still the short VIN.

Break out the old Chiltons with the color section on spark plug reading and you’ll see what Larry means. Easy enough.

Sounds like you’re my kind of vintage Subaru owner. That engine is fairy bulletproof. Has the fist - very simple - electronic control fuel system. That is the ECU. But you could always make it as simple and direct as the previous years. Just be aware there is an ECU in that 81 but if is the most primitive and really to tame emissions. And I recently saw one for sale on eBay I’m pretty sure. Not that you’d need it. But I’m that guy that if I know the part extends the car’s life and that part is nearly unobtainable I’ll spend the few bucks and shelf stock it. And it would give you one you could open up and re-solder any cracked connections etc. On that note folks have bakes the boards to melt and reset the solder. But I’m going off on one item that nobody talks about much. But older electronics you can bet they’ll be failing. Digress now. Some of us have parts catalogs. Not sure where they are online or if they are there but try to find the one pertaining to 77-79 cars and that’ll help you immensely. Maybe follow my route as I mentioned with my 70’s cars. I’ll try the original engine first. Then bump it up 1600, 1800, EJ22. Whatever route you take just enjoy it. Driving these old cars around can work both ways. Plenty of thumbs up. But also plenty of A holes who think you’re only holding them up. Middle finger ready ?

Early 2.2 can’t go wrong. Keep the body rolling on terms you can deal with. Makes sense to me. I have an EJ22 with super low mileage and just acquired a roughly 10?k engine with all the harnesses and management. One or both will end up in my 70’s projects. But I’ll run out the engines and maybe step my way up using the smaller and EA engines up first. You have fun and show it off. Just don’t scrap the old running gear please.

MAF clean ? No air leaks in any ductwork ? Injector ?

Your 1981 Brat is the last year of the First Generation series as we call them. 1982 starts a new body - new generation of Brat. Yours is very collectible and I hope you enjoy it. First year of the dual range coupled to the older transmission. Subaru often does engineering exercises like that at the end of one generation. Then that technology will be standard issue in the next generation. You can look at their history and see many examples. That said be sure you know your Brat and enjoy its exceptional status.

Nice deal.

I think that price is fair given mileage and availability. For a future vintage project I just drove several hours mostly due to NYC traffic to pay $800 for a low mileage sedan with the early 2.2. Car had interior stripped so I really paid for the engine, harnesses, and not a lot else. I will also try to extract the 4EAT transmission for our 94 Legacy but if that doesn’t happen I still feel I got a somewhat fair deal. Guys like me have to wake up and realize there are no more $500 beaters. Also, I would never make the effort I did for any other engine. It’s the first edition 2.2 and that’s it. Simple and reliable.

Most folks avoid that four cam engine. It’s such a short run and Subaru then offered a more reliable 2.5 To me it had better be dirt cheap because you’re rolling the dice. my opinion

Andrew ended to passing on this one. No space for it.

Big edit. My trip was very cool and I’ve returned with my two cars. But I left the ff1 wagon there and as of right now there is no other person willing to take this car on. The car was used as a truck its last year of its running life. No back seat. It’s a bit rough along the rocker panels (sills) but is mostly all there. Could be a fun runner but might take a lot of effort for restore. Engine is there and likely would run with fresh gas and an oil change. Owner is a great guy and would like to see this and a few other cars of various makes gone and moved onto people who can appreciate them. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll get you in touch with the seller.

Ok yes I do recall those spacers. Same as Bennie, never had those loosen.

Been a while since I’ve run an EA81 so I’m not sure why they’re showing that top picture which looks like two large washers. My eyes are older and I’m on a phone. But for sure the lower picture is correct for the Y pipe (header) to the engine heads.

Over here we are lucky to have a place called the Nutty Company. I’m pretty sure you can look them up and order online too. They have most everything for nuts and bolts and more. What I did not very long ago was purchase a threaded rod. I cut pieces based on the one good stud I had left from original. And of course I got stainless nuts to go with them. I don’t recall if they had aluminum rod. I’m pretty sure mine is steel. So I’ll keep an eye on those going forward. Good luck. You can also try the west coast and dry zone dealers. They may still have them around.

Rock shows the pick up coil in stock around $27 be sure you get the 4wd not FWD

Somebody call, put up some money, and you’ll have a product you can sell at a fair percentage more without being greedy and still being kind to both parties. Or be the greedy seller and ask a fortune. Smelly wet floors in your classic car are Not cool.

PRP - 1-800-367-8241

You’ll need to scan eBay and maybe save the search with notifications for the Atsugi or Paraut. If you spot an older Beck Arnley pump look it over. If it says made in Japan chances are it’s fine. But also watch for more contemporary packaging with Beck and make sure the pump doesn’t say GMB. Some older ones may still exist that are Japanese but beware the ones made elsewhere.

I was just Premier again and saw the Brat and the rest. If anyone has the one you’re looking for I’d bet this guy does. I’ll ask next time but you know it won’t be for sale. Good luck. I hope I can spill some magic over to you my friend. After many decades it appears I may/will finally have the two or maybe three vintage Subarus I’ve wanted back in my life for decades. This coming month I should be making it all happen. Hope the same light shines on you !

And you’re sure you’ve found the little lever at the base that releases them ?

If possible I’d find a Paraut or Atsugi. Settle for that one if you have to but you’ll be well off with the names I mentioned.

Cult Cricket - I’m guessing is still around here too, he has one on eBay right now. Not cheap. So here’s a story for you gen two kids. We folks from the Historic forum have long ago , twice ordered from PRP and had batches of 50 freshly made. I handled the bulk of it and I think pretty much the whole second batch. Try them and any other rubber seal manufacturer that may exists. But try PRP first. Precision Replacement Parts. They have a few locations but I think the main office is in the PNW You may get lucky like we did. The mold may still exist. Good luck! For reference ours worked out to less than $50 and with shipping I’m pretty sure everyone paid around $12-18 shipping tops. I think the number for the gaskets worked out to like $39 and change each. If you can cover that batch of fifty and sell them on eBay or better places you’d make plenty enough to cover the effort GOING BY CURRENT PRICES. We did things as a club/group of enthusiasts so there was no real profit. Just a few cents over for gas , etc. I don’t have a current contact. Our last guy moved up from sales. I’ll check around and see if I’ve got any receipt. But that was too many years ago. Just try them and they’ll have a sales rep handle your inquiry. Present yourself as a group and know you’re buying a lot of 50 or more. If they can create the order they’ll likely also stock a batch in their own inventory like they did with ours. WCR-288 is the First Gen gasket.

Place in Australia should have them. Phil’s ?

For sure. I just started back trying to sell on eBay again. That after looking at prices of some of the first gen Legacy parts I still have. $300 you’ll make back off the nose of the car alone. Let me know if you part it out please. Enjoy!