Crabman

I've tinkered with motorcycles a bit, rebuilt one engine. But I am a novice mechanic compared to others on the board. And still very new to the world of subaru. So, apologies in advance for any dumb questions! :-\ I have begun a tear-down of what I'm hoping is a very special engine. I've attached lots of pics to this thread. Please take a close look at your leisure and let me know what you know. This is the first time I've looked inside an EA71, so I'm not sure what's normal and what's not. Firstly some history: I was sold this engine on the premise that it was an E71 with modifed heads (obviously), dual valve springs with stainless valves, modifed rocker arms, deep sump oil pan (obviously), possibly custom pistons, and possibly that it had been left out in weather and held water at one point in its life. Now for what I have learned so far: By measuring the placement of the mounting studs on the intake manifolds I have determined that the heads have been set up for dual VW Weber 48 IDAs. This is a gigantic racing carburetor that is typically on engines larger than 2L. I have a hard time imagining that these would run well on a 1600 engine. I am wondering if the engine has been bored out, but I am not sure how to tell. Furthermore, I am fairly sure that the heads began life as EA63 dual exhaust port heads. From what I have read, this would mean that the engine must also have an EA63 cam. I have not split the case yet, but because of the monstrous carbs that were on this thing, I have my fingers crossed that there is some sort of high performance cam in there. Else again, I just couldn't see the engine running properly with those gigantic carbs. And finally, since the tear down, I can see an obvious water line on the valves, indicating that the engine has definitely held water at one point in its life. I'm not sure how to tell if this has done a lot of damage. So please correct me if I am wrong on any of the above points, and now here are several pictures from the tear down. Is it junk? Is it useable? Is it awesome? Let me know. The collective advice from the USMB knowledge pool will weight heavily my decision on what to do with the engine. The engine as it got home Top-down view Rocker arm - Modified? Intake manifold close-up Valve spring close up Engine front First head - Notice water line Second head First bank of pistons - Are these custom? Second piston bank Serial No. What it looks like now I guess that's it. I'm very excited to hear your comments. Also guess I want to mention the distibutor looks great. Shaft had no wobble, which to me indicates not a while lot of running time. If you guys need more picture to figure anything out, just let me know. I plan on opening the case soon. Thanks in advance! Crabman.

Well I had a very interesting EA71 to pick up out in the desert. And S'ko had lined up an SVX to look at. So we found a couple of wrecking yards between points A and B, decided to fork up the gas money, and we spent 15 hours on memorial day scouting soobs in far off places. The first yard we stopped at. I called ahead, their english was kind of broken. But they said they had two subarus from the 70s. We found this gold brat and an XT, not exactly from the 70s. S'ko scored a couple of things from this car. It was mechanically complete and had the third eye too. I picked up this modified EA71 from the nicest desert dude you've ever met. Gave $75 for it, and am currently in the process of tearing it down, trying to figure out if I got my money worth or not. I'm going to start another thread soon with pics from the tear down. Please check it out and let me know what you think! We didn't realize so many yards would be closed, and there was more than one that we had to walk away from. But at this yard, we walked the perimeter and could see a Gen 1 inside. So what did we do? What would you do after driving all day to find soobs? :-\ Just to get a better look of course. Wasn't much when we found her. She'd been shot and gutted. Didn't spend too much time looking at her. We could hear the dogs on their way ! But I'll tell you, from what I saw she was rust free. If anyone is looking for a body to build on, this one has potential. From the desert to the mountain. S'ko bought this SVX for parts I think. I am currently a 10% owner. In short, this was a seriously great day! Wish I could do something like this every couple of months. Hope you liked the pics. Crabman

Hey if you are just getting it running well, that's a different story. I thought that you might be getting her back into the shape she was in when she was racing. All that EA63 carnage you mentioned sounds worthy of a few pictures. I just picked up a very modified EA71, very cheaply. It was probably raced at one point in its life. Hoping to do some of the tear down this weekend. Hope it looks better than your EA63!

Well I'm not one to tell anyone what to do. I don't know what the owner wants, and I don't know what kind of budget you are working with,... but you gotta keep that supercharger/side draft weber on there!! It looks so mean! I understand wanting to step up the CCs a bit from an EA63, but perhaps you could fit the supercharger set up to an EA81, maybe re-jet the weber? Do you think there is anything interesting in the case? Modified cam maybe? High compression pistons?

Jon, You are so lucky to have a brat that someone took care of! I think because they were such an inexpensive car, most of them were abused and neglected. Anyways, that's hilarious about the sticker! Crabman

Lumpycam, The amount of progress you've made after just two days is superhuman. Looks like you be done in a week and a half? I have to ask, where was the rust that made you quit on the 85? Keep up the good work, Crabman

I'm speechless.

Wow nice Gen 1 score! Have fun with your new project.

Hey I'm the guy that bought those nice blue door panels that Moosens was talking about. Jon, do you still need a picture? I haven't opened the box yet but it is pretty easy to get to. As for the antenna, I need one as well, but I think that you can find aftermarket replacements. You may even be able to use one from another car at the wrecking yard. Seahag, that's a very kind offer. If you are going to make some reproduction stuff, please sign me up for a set. Let me know, Crabman

I think Moosens is going to help me out, but in the mean time if anybody has the part numbers for the little clips and the springs that go on the front discs, I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Crabman

Hey Moosens I have just PMed you with my shipping address. If one kit is for both fronts I'll just need one kit. Bit if it is a kit for each side, I'll need two kits. You get my drift. Thanks in advance!! Crabman

Hey Fellas, When we did the breaks in my '79 brat, some of the hardware for the fronts was worn out. I did a little searching for a disc brake hardware kit today and didn't turn anything up. Do you any of you guys know where to find a hardware kit for the front discs? Thanks, Crabman

Yes cheers to that! It's a very hard thing to explain to people that only know new cars. I actually don't even bother to try. But driving is so much more of an activity, on a much more concious level. That's a good list too Todd, I'll have to get a kit together. Jon, I think I'd be partial to silver, but that's just me. White gets dirty too quick. Cheers, Crabman

Well done Jon Now you know you can leave your Titan parked and rely on your Brat for your daily driver . I'm sure you will save a few dollars when it comes to gas. When I first bought my mine, I was hesitant about getting too far away from home, but this has gone away. She is my daily driver now with my motorcycle being my only back-up. And I drive 80 miles a day in Los Angeles traffic. Since I've had her, I have kept my eyes open for other Gen 1s. And I haven't seen one. I'm not quite at the point yet where I am ready to plan that cross country trip or that Mojave Road Expedition, but I am getting closer with each turn of the wrench . I'd love to get mine as clean looking as yours one day! Cheers, Crabman

Jimbob: We need more pics of your beautiful brat! Lets see some under the hood. What the fastest you've got her up to?

Rust? Where? Looks like a really decent Brat from the pics your showing. I'd think twice about parting it out.

What a beauty! Is she really that perfect. Lets see some pics of the interior, how's the dash? Nice score. I'm jealous.

Just wanted to update this thread to let you all know that this little job is complete! And what a major PITA! My dad and I were working on this for a good part of the weekend. But I got new brakes all around, replaced nearly the whole system, and new front axles too. The NOS equipment looks great on it. She doesn't pull to one side or the other anymore, no more clickity-clack from the joints when I'm turning. The brake pedal is nice and stiff. We fixed alot of little things here and there that we found along the way too, bad wheel bearings, grease seals, etc, etc, etc. Damn it feels good to really make a big dent on that little blue to do list in my garage. She's much safer to drive now. She has more stop than go! Next job seems small in comparison. Have to fix that shifter rattle. Got the bushings from my local subaru dealer no problem. Thanks for the help everyone. Cheers, Crabman

Thanks for the tip Caboobaroo. I will have my can of PBblaster ready. I will probably give everything a shot of PBblaster before I get started. I have already had some bad experiences breaking bolts here and there. S'ko, Not sure yet on when we're getting started. Sending you an email.

Hey fellas. My '79 brat has been out of commission for the week. She wasn't stopping so well, and just began to feel dangerous to drive. She's up on jackstands now with all the wheels and drums off and hoo-boy that was just an accident waiting th happen. Could have been another Gen 1 gone forever :-\ . Anyway, I'll be replacing most of the brake system this weekend. I've got new drums, cylinders, and shoes for the rear, and new discs, calipers, and pads for the front. Not to mention a new master cylinder and replacements for almost every brake hose. While I'm at it, I figure it will be an ideal time to throw in these two new front axles I've got too. Just thought I'd post my plans to see if anyone had any tips or advice on this sort of job. I do have one question right off the get go. In my 'idiots guide' it says that you may need to go to a shop to have the front axle pressed out of the wheel bearing housing, and the new one pressed in? Is this true? Or can I handle it myself in the garage? You fellas has a lot of great suggestions when S'ko and I did the clutch. I figure its always a good idea to tap into the USMB knowledge pool. Thanks in advance, Crabman

Oops, I missed the part about keeping just one thread in the old gen forum. Sorry. I wanted the youtube link here in historic because this is where I spend all my time.

Ah yes, I saw this last night on NBC, immediately hit the record button, and then watched it a few more times. I rarely ever feel that commercials speak directly to me. But this one, with the Gen 1 brat in the background, and that phrase, "Letting you Subaru live on, on part at a time". It was just awesome. What car company in the world has ever produced a commercial, where one of the main messages was, 'If you are going to junk your old subaru, please part it out to other subaru people, so that other old subarus can live on". It was like they made it just for members of this board. I BELIEVE IN SUBARU HEAVEN!!!

My shifter stick, for 1st through 4th, is very very sloppy. I believe the expression is 'bowl of oatmeal'. But my chattering stick, is the 4WD stick. How hard is it to replace the shifter bushing?

Might be interested, but not soon. I am way over my Subaru budget this month. Sending an email your way.

What involved in the fix? Tell me it's easy.