Crazyeights

Go to an office supply or thrift store and look for aluminum clipboards. They work great for small projects and repairs and are pretty inexpensive too.

I had this happen on an XT6. The radiator was badly plugged with what looked like calcium deposits. No amount of flushing would help. Pull it out and run the garden hose in one of the openings. You'll notice right away if it's plugged up.

I would like to put a condenser for the AC there (spare tire well) as the EA81/EJ22 swap has left no room up front for anything but the electric fan.

I went with a Sachs XT6 clutch kit that I ordered locally for my EJ22 swap. Not enough miles on it yet to comment on longevity, but it feels/works great so far. GD has said just to buy the XT6 pressure plate from the dealer. I have no idea if they can still get them - pretty spendy option last time I priced it.

It is about half as thick but the heat transfer and life expectancy of aluminum is supposed to be better than copper/brass. I think it will be worth the extra trouble to fit it. Both of my used original units look so bad I'm not sure they could be saved. Might also consider doing the heater control valve while you are in there, but it adds another $100.00 to the bill.

The 9340 heater core will probably be aluminum instead of brass and it's going to be a tight fit in the case. It will take some trial and error with the foam to get it right but it will go. You might also have to trim a little off of one of the heater control valve tubes:(

Let me know if you find a factory one at a good price. My ej swap has blown out about 5 used EA81 oil senders! I finally just gave up on the oil pressure gauge:(

You can't change the cam timing on an EA81 without splitting the case, at least not that I know of. If all you are doing is putting the heads back on then nothing to worry about. I would either back off the valve adjustment or move the pistons down in the bore when snugging down the rocker assemblies on each side just to be safe.

EJ22 swap and custom FT R/X trans with 3.9 gears from an XT6 (205/70R15 tires) 18-20 in city driving and about 28 Freeway if I keep my foot out of it:D

FWIW SJR did the XT6 flywheel I used in my EJ conversion and did a beautiful job! One local shop wouldn't even touch it.

Until recently I was running the same setup. Mine was a freshly rebuilt EA81 with SPFI. I tried both the original SPFI routing of the PCV and the dealer modified version with the new blue "tee". I always had oil in the intake around the IAC and in rubber intake bellows. It bothered me, however I spent so much time chasing valve train issues and low end drivability issues I never did get around to solving it. Good Luck

Try searching Google for "knurl pistons", at least I think that's the technique being discussed here. It used to be done to valve guides too.

It will, and you still maintain all of the good low end driveability traits that seem to go away with the torque grind.

Beautiful work! I also know how much extra work it is to stop, wash your hands at every step, and take such nice pictures. Just curious as I am doing 1 last EA81 myself. What if anything was done to the cam and lifters? Are they put back just like they were, reground, or? I had bad luck with the torque grind on my last hi-performance build and I am thinking of just putting the stock used ones back in.

PM Sent

They should both be the same part number as I recall. Just flip one over.

If it were me I would skip the 4 speed and go with a D/R 5-speed from an EA82 car. It is WELL worth the small amount of extra effort and the swap is really well documented. Also, buy the parts Brat too:lol:

I am slowly collecting parts to finish this up. Would this be an ok deal on the correct water cooled turbo? Almost all of the ones I have seen at the local pick-n-pull look like junk. Ebay XT IHI Turbo

Probably off base, but would it help work out the valve/cam timing issues to use (2) left or right side cams instead of (1) of each?

trimming/bashing

Some real life experience with the EA81 I built - FWIW:) Ea81 with EA71 pistons, ported heads (shaved .020), Delta torque cam, SPFI conversion running about 35PSI fuel pressure. Timing makes a really big difference with this engine. It will run fine at 20 degrees but the sweet spot seems to be about 28 degrees. I had to mod the distributor mounting plate to do this. Can't push it any higher than that though.

Really curious about the valve train on this. Are the Delta cams roller or wiper, HLA or SLA ? Lastly the amount of valve train noise and idle quality. Can't wait to see it and hear it running!

@wilcox One of the front plugs is covered by the water pump rather than the oil pump;)

You pull out the pins, install the rings on the pistons (after checking the end gaps) and using a ring compressor install the piston with the connecting rod at the bottom of it's travel. Carefully line up the eye in the small end of the rod with the pin hole in the piston and insert the pin through the access hole. Note don't forget to install the inside pin clip before you put the piston in or you can't get to it. Put the outer clip in through the access hole. Repeat 3 more times and your done.

Watching this one:popcorn: