AthenTL

Yes - you are *of course* right - RX is correct. Thanks for the info. I'll try and get a couple of repair kits for the carbs. As far as the luck is concerned - i suppose i was actually quite lucky. The Leon and Brat was never a big seller over here and most engines that are around were imported directly from Japan to be used in the VW T2 vans (the lawnmower aircooled engines were just not up to the task of hauling a ton of merchandize during 40 degrees celsius in the summer). This is the only RX engine i have ever encountered. I spoke to one of the shops that used to convert the VWs to Subaru power, and even they said that only 3 or 4 ever found their way to Greece. So i suppose this is something special - at least it is to me Thks once again for the help. Cheers Boris

Hi everyone, I do need your expertise. I obtained an EA81 which i think is from the FX model and has dual carbs and the heads with the switched valves. I installed it in my Bug (replacing the EA71) and it goes like STINK The problem i have is that both carbs are a bit wet on the outside - leaking a little fuel. Are these carburattors the same as the single carb on the "plain" EA81 ? Any idea where i could purchase a repair kit (gasket kit) for those carbs? Thanks a bunch for your help. Best regards from sunny Athens, Boris

Well, i have actually been getting some "heat" from the hardcore VDubbers over here for converting to watercooled. I've been through several aircooled engines over the years and they had the tendency to leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. It could be my driving style though But for me nothing compares to the EA. It's simple, strong, reliable and after taking a couple of friends for a ride, i have already pulled 2 beetle owners over to the dark side. One is putting in an EA81 and the other just purchased a EJ22. That's all for now, folks. Thks for reading and putting up with my very untechnical post.

The head gaskets were at fault. By the way - they are identical to the "plain" EA 81. Skimmed the heads, reground the valves, checked for wear on the guides (still very good) and replaced the heads with a set of new gaskets (original Subaru). What an engine .........

OK - here's a short update. The dual carb engine is in the Beetle now ... and it's a BEAST compared to the EA71 i used to have. Unfortunately after just a few miles water started to spray out of the exhaust pipe ... yep - you guessed correctly. Blown headgaskets. So, out came the engine again, heads reworked, new gaskets, put together again ... and totally blew away a "quick" VW Golf. This is the way the Beetle was meant to drive. Power at any time, more than my 205/60-15 tires can handle (at least in first and second gear). On the downside ... my alternator died on me last night, luckily just a couple of miles from home and i managed to cast home with all lights switched off So, the engine is absolutely GREAT. I'm not sure though how long the gearbox will put up with the extra power.

To take the heads off, the manifold has to come of anyway. Thus, we shall see if the problem is there. Since i'll be taking the heads off, i think i'll just send them for a skimming and a valve job. It's as good an opportunity as any. Does anybody know what the tube diameter of the original exhaust used to be on these engines ? 'cause the port is HUGE (i think it must be 25-30% larger than the "normal" EA81) Thks Boris

Hi everyone. I just replaced the engine of my beloved VW Beetle. Threw out the EA71 and put in an EA81 with the two carburators. The engine is a BEAST After a couple of minutes though water started to come out of the exhaust. Busted head gasket Anyway - no biggie .... but : is the headgasket identical with the single carb EA 81 ? (i know that the heads are definitely not) Thanks for your help. Oh - by the way : i'm about to get a new exahust too, so what would be the correct tube size under the heads? Thks.

Here it is !!!! Just got it today. http://img571.imageshack.us/g/12768089293.jpg/ Any info would be greatly appreciated. And sorry for the bad pictures ... phone cam and sorta dirty lens

OK - change of plan I just got an offer for an EA81 with dual carbs . Does anyone know if they are rare and what a good one would be worth? This one (i think it has a tad over 100HP) will go into the Bug. The EA81 Turbo will replace the N/A EA81 in the Fastback ... Yeah - Upgrade

Thks for the answers. I will check the number at the first opportunity. Cheers Boris

Hi everyone, I need some input from the specialists. Here in Greece there are very few older model Subaru (with the EA81 and EA71 engines). Most EA motors here have been used in VW T2b vehicles. Now to my problem: There are virtually no spare parts available for these engines. A friend of mine just took the EA81 out of his bug, because the distributor came apart and we are unable to source a used unit. Hence my question : which other car (brand) utilizes a compatible (or usable after minor modifications) distributor that can replace the broken one. Thank you for your help. Greetings from sunny Athens, Boris

For anyone interrested, here is a link to the photoalbum i created during the build of the Bug. The engine is not specifically shown, but at some points i think you get the idea. http://snowman.myphotoalbum.com/ I will try to find some time in the near future to create a thread just for the installation of the EA71 and the cooling system. Thanks for your kind replies. Greetings from sunny Athens, Boris

I just stumbled over this cool forum searching for information for my latest project. And i have to say ... the amount of knowledge accumulated here is simply stunning! Allow myself to introduce ... myself I am a huge fan of old VW's - as far as the car goes - not the engines. For this reason i have both my cars with Subaru transplants. I own a 1966 Beetle which currently features an EA71 and a 1973 311 Fastback with an EA81. Both are a bit on the weak side for my taste, so we decided to change the EA81 into the Beetle and install a Weber 32-36 for good measures and to turbocharge another EA81 i just happened to get hold of. Well, that's pretty much the story so far. I hope to find info about some minor bugs i'm facing, but i will open topics in the relevant sections as i go. Greetings from sunny Athens Boris