ls650v

I ended up purchasing a pair of Optronics MCL32AB marker/clearance lights, discarding the included lens, then attaching the body to the rear of the fender MacGyver style.

I noticed the light bulb sockets for the front marker lights on my 1978 Subaru Brat dangling from the end of their wires in the front wheel well. To me it looks like the body of the front marker light was just a rubber boot with an integrated lamp holder. A simple cost-effective design that presents a problem when the rubber turns to dust. I cannot be the only one who has seen this problem. How have you dealt with this situation? The simple choice would be to just tie the wires out of the way and use the stock marker light lense as a reflector. However I would prefer the marker lights be illuminated and have not been able to find an aftermarket substitute that looks ok.

My Factory Service Manual states 3.17 quart.

Mine was rattling due to a worn rubber bushing at the end of the shifter. I was unable to obtain a replacement at the dealer, so I made one out of a #00 cone faucet washer, filing the outer diameter down to 0.45 in and filing the height down to 0.17 in. I cleaned out the socket the shifter fits in and applied a liberal dose of Silglide lubricant which I found at NAPA. The shifter socket dust boot on the end of my shifter is severely cracked and needs to be replaced also, but I can't get one. Hopefully another member will come up with a better replacement idea.

Regarding the backfire when cold. I had put up with this for years. I stopped it by blocking the input to the pulsed air injection system, which stops the introduction of air into the exhaust system. You will need to put things back to normal before going in for a smog inspection.

My factory service manual says to disconnect and plug distributor vacuum lines when checking the timing. 1978 Brat.

Original owner. Bought it in June of 1978 in Santa Barbara California. My first new car. I have not driven it in a couple years now due to a lack of free time to maintain it and I refuse to drive it on Michigan's salt encrusted roads in the winter. This picture was taken a couple years ago here in Clinton Township Michigan. [/img]

Good question. I understand Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil still has a good dose of ZDDP in its formula.

That's my brat. Original owner. I rely on this forum to help me keep it running.

The oil pump is on the front of the engine. The oil filter screws directly onto it.

A year or so before I left California I took my 78 Brat in for a smog test. The mechanic told me my timing was off, so I was forced to pay an additional $30.00 for this 5 minute adjustment. The car ran terrible on the way home, pinging with the least amount of acceleration. So when I got home, I check the timing and see it is way advanced. I called the shop, and asked them if they had disconnected the vacuum lines when checking the timing. The response: "The book doesn't say anything about that". What a bunch of idiots. The one thing I don't miss about California are the EPA Nazis.

I had the same problem on my 78 brat about 5 years ago. I couldn't find a source for the bushing or the dust boot. I wound up making a bushing from a #00 cone faucet washer. Used a file to reduce the diameter to 0.45 in and height to 0.17 in. Packed the receptacle on the transmission housing with silicon grease and reused the cracked dust boot. There has got to be an easier way. Any suggestions on a replacement for the dust boot?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have to pull the engine. There doesn't seem to be enough clearance (on my 78) to clear the frame. Also, you need to be careful when installing the head to make sure the intake manifold mating surface is parallel with the mating surface on the other head to insure a good seal (there is some slop) when reinstalling the intake manifold. When removing the head be prepared for the head to hang up on crud on the mounting studs or the intake manifold bolts to snap. I would go with a premium quality head gasket that does not require a retorque.

So, would the 79 parts identification manual be good for a 78 brat? If so, I'm interested.

4 or 5 years ago I bought seat covers from: http://www.saddleman.com/ They are not custom fit, I think they call them semi-custom, but they fit pretty well. They have that indian blanket look.

I am the original owner of a 78 brat. It did not come with a belt driven fan. A single electric fan on right side of the radiator.

Where do you find the new "gator" shown in the picture? The dealer I talked to said they are no longer available and an independent transmission shop I talked to told me the same thing. Also, how about the bushing at the end of the shifter?