rdweninger

yes, that one will do. All timing belts will eventually fail. I'm not sure how many manufacturers there are... but there are several brands. Like batteries, there are 2 manufacturers, but 100 brands. Funny, the kit says 1 crank seal and 1 cam seal. If you are replacing the cam seals, you will need two. After the job is completed... throw those covers in the trash. Most everyone does. It will make your next timing belt job a lot easier. Go Beavs !

Back in the 80's, my brother and I were heading up to elk camp. I had a nice stereo, big amp in my pickup. The fuse 'capsule' came apart near the passenger rocker panel... and my brother stuffed an empty beer can under the seat... and grounded out the power cable from the battery to the amp. Next thing I knew, the throttle cable housing had melted where it passes thru the firewall and then solidified so I could not use my throttle. We simply hooked up the manual choke cable to the throttle linkage (had a Weber on the pickup). I spent the next 3 days driving while my brother ran the throttle with the choke cable. And yes, it was a manual transmission.

Buy a test light and test it at the battery. Clean/inspect body grounds Check fusible links. Check both sides of fuse box for 12v at the brake circuit. Inspect/Clean and Check bulb sockets with test light with friend applying brakes.

First, you should fix your temp gauge. It will tell you (and us) a lot. If it is indeed overheating, then that is the second problem that requires attention. Smoke off exhaust could be oil leaks, torn axle boots, exhaust leak, clogged cat.... Seriously... I wouldn't drive my vehicle if the temp gauge was not working.

Hello all. It is time to start fixing the '81 Brat I picked up last summer. First things first... there is no fuel tank. This Brat will mostly be a woods mobile. So I am thinking about putting a fuel cell in the bed. For two reasons... 1. Brat fuel tanks are hard to find. 2. Fuel tank in the bed will protect it from rocks, stumps and big sticks I run over. Does anyone have experience with aftermarket fuel cells? Fuel pumps? Location? Plumbing. Never messed with a fuel system much. Thanks for your help. I will figure out how to post pictures... soon. Can't wait to show them. This will be a fun project.

Good one... turn the radio up! But I agree. Most important is making sure the engine, cooling, brakes and all fluids are maintained. Then maybe how it looks... do some body and paint. I recently replaced all shocks (struts), ball joints, tie rods wheel bearings, rebooted my torn axles, turned the rotors and new pads. The wagon is WAY quieter now. So quiet... I now hear some noise from either my rear bearings or drum brakes. So that is my next project. Then, maybe my first auto paint job. I may default to the "rattle, rattle... pshifff... pshifff... rattle, rattle". But it would be hard to do... as I want to do the job with some pride... and not disgrace the car I have owned for 22 years.

I would remove the panel on the opposite door and use that as a reference to see how maybe a 'slim jim' would work from the outside to open the door. Then maybe reference the good door to determine how to fix to bad door.

manuf date of the vehicle should be in the driver door jamb. If unreadable, should clean up with some alcohol. I would think the vin# would be more important than the manuf date. Just because a Loyale was built in 12/90 or 02/91 does not indicate if it had AC or AT or turbo or transmission cooler.... Well maybe there could have been a design change that was date specific. But you could get the manuf date from the dealer if you give them the vin#. Can't you find a plug for the hole... or do you suspect that the radiator is shot? And need new one? Personally, I would clean the innards, find a plug and go with it.

If your hatchie is 4wd, I have read you may want to disconnect the driveshaft from the rear diff when towing. Nice job on the tow with the hatch. I thought I was the only one doing that... ha!

That 'plug' was leaking on my boy's '85 wagon. A little Teflon tape cured the problem.

Why Storage? I would just drive around town like that. Cracking me up.

Rather than "bleed" the radiator.... try burping the radiator. Google that and you will find multiple threads on the usmb site. Might want to replace the radiator hoses - You can kind of check them by squeezing them for softness. You want a 'firm' hose. Wouldn't hurt to install a factory thermostat... summer is near. Very important that your cooling system is in top shape. Keep an eye on the waterpump for 'weeping' fluid. If the hole was threaded... you may be able to find a plug with matching threads at a nut/bolt shop like Fastenal or maybe Napa. Good luck... and watch out for those dirt roads !

Don't let the insurance company 'total' your car. Prove to them the value of your car. There was a sticky that showed recent sales prices of our Subarus. State Farm tried to total my '85 wagon a few years ago... a tree fell on it during a snowstorm. After I showed them the receipts for all the parts and added my labor... they paid me for the damage. Therefore... no branded title.

suprjohn.... those high winds are generally called tornados. You need to pull over under the nearest overpass, get out of the car, get up under where the overpass meets the 45 degree foundation, put your head between your knees... and get ready to kiss your butt goodbye. I know this cause I grew up in tornado alley. Have you seen my dog.. Toto?

I remember having to remove my intake manifold to get at the fasteners so I could delete the spiderweb of metal vacuum lines. Now would be a good time for new the intake gaskets. Careful on the removal of the 6 bolts holding down the intake... sometimes, they like to snap off. I replaced mine with stainless steel bolts. The old ones were very corrided On the orange/brown wire... looks like it is just one wire going to your temp sensor for the dash gauge. You want this. Congrats on the Weber. I have had mine in my '85 wagon since 1993. I have never had to do any adjustment or work to it. Just clean the filter every now & then.

I think they call that the water pump supply pipe. You checked the dealer? If so... get the part number and google that for other new suppliers.

Jono, the timing belts are not installed yet. He is putting the cam towers on. Doesn't matter where the flywheel is... not until you put the belts on. Non-interference motor.

I like the Japenese-made bearings. I have had excellent results with NSK. Timken is US-made. NTN is good. The Chinese bearings are getting better.... but. Avoid India and other Asia brands. Careful how you put it in... only press (or tap) on the outer race.

Nice wagon. Sometimes, the front wheel hop could be a tire separating (maybe a bubble) or out of balance. I would closely check out all 4 tires at a reputable tire shop. I was reading the notes on replacing the front axle. You should break loose the axle nut while the vehicle's weight is on the ground. Years ago, I used a 1 7/16" socket to fit the axle nut. Now I have the correct fit 36 mm. Any chance of removing the bug shield? You know that's not original.... and so 1980's.... ha! Your choice.

Also, be advised that there is an 'OUT' side to the front struts when assembling the spring coil and top hat. The original struts are marked with an 'OUT'. If the Gabriels did not come with top hats, you will re-use the old top hats. The top hat is off-center about an inch where the shock end goes thru ... therefore, the need to put the 'OUT' mark towards the wheel. Where the heck is Chuluota?

it comes compressed from the factory. You will have to remove the tab, then the shock will extend to it's operating length. You have the coils ready to go? Make sure your top strut mounts pivot freely. There's a bearing in there that may be shot.

What a guy... WoodsWagon. Where else you gonna find some dude on the east coast tracking down parts for some stranger in CA? Hey, I need some mudflaps for my '85 wagon... can you find me some??? just kidding... I got some on the parts car. She just keeps on giving and giving.

So yes, the bumpers will fit from 80-84 DL/GL. Have them send a pic for verification. In 85, the wagon went to a different body style... so the earlier stuff will not fit. Also, the engine in the 85 wagon was EA82. The 80-84 wagons had the EA81... as do the Brats and Hatchies until 87 (maybe 89)

Okay... maybe I'm old. What is FTW? But GLoyale... do you mean Stone HG sets are good or bad?

Is that the part # for the EA81 or EA82 retaining ring... they are different correct? And... are the center caps the same for ea81 and ea82.... just the retaining ring is different?