belacane

So I recently brought a 'new' '86 Brat from Utah home to Chicago. An interesting thing happened on my drive back. On my second morning on the road in Nebraska, I started her, and she'd start, go to about 1200 rpms and then slowly drop rpms and die. This has continued through Iowa and in Chicago. It didn't happen in Utah at all as far as I experienced. It's usually only happens on the first start of the day or if she's been sitting for more than 6 or 7 hours. I temporarily solve the problem by giving her some gas while in neutral and within a minute or so the rpms will hold stable at 1000, but as I drive, the idle feels rougher than it used to. This is my first foray into carburated engines, so I'm unfamiliar with what is normal. I'm also curious if it has anything to do with the change in altitude (Chicago is nearly sea level while Utah is at something around five thousand feet), and the air mixture in the carb. Thanks in advance for your kind input!

Yep! Belongs to my friend. On the right is my WRX Funny that on that same day, there were about three other (unrelated to me) soobs parked just down the block. Looked like a frickin meet!

Absolutely! Just 'friended' you as a way to remember who's in the WI/IL area. And thanks!

yeah, this is where I feel stuck since I don't have a garage or a shelter. May end up renting one for the winter just to do paint...

Nice to know that there are others in my area! You're not but an hour or two away from me. Not sure yet. I'm feeling a bit timid to be too tough on her since my time and more importantly space to fix what's broken is limited... but I hope to make some nice off road-ish trips in the area, camping or whatever, and definitely some snow!! (minus the salt please!). If you have any recommendations in the IL/WI region, do let me know!

Behold my first foray into (sort of) body work! The biggest challenge for me and the BRAT is definitely going to be rust especially since I am in the northern Midwest. Ultimately, I'm going to repaint her entirely, but until I have the time/resources to do so I'm going to be doing some aggressive 'spot cleaning' of whatever rust shows up. Tools I used: - orbital sander with 150 grit paper - 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper - masking tape and newspaper - spray paint primer (rustoleum) - colored spray paint (rustoleum) The first project I have undertaken is to simply sand out any and all rust bubbles I could find and put on a new layer of paint. Here are some examples of the spots/bare metal that needed fixing: This is my first time ever doing this, so I sort of just threw myself into it and hoped for the best. All things considering, it turned out pretty decent for a first try, minus the HORRENDOUS color, which I do plan on redoing at some point in the near future. I swear the color looked so different when I tested it at the store... but the most important goal was achieved: RUST ABATED (for now) =P. If anyone has any ideas or tips for me on sanding and painting and bondo work, I'd love to hear!

15" 185/60

Yeah, I've got some plans of course. So far my list is all repair / maintenance type stuff: - replace tie rod boots - new passenger side CV - fix oil pressure gauge (trying a new sender unit first) - fill in rust holes in the bed (on top of the wheel wells) - weld on new sheet metal to the bottom of the doors - repaint the bed with some type of liner after that, who knows.... I'm just enjoying driving her!

Holy wow you are extremely close to me! Yes we must meet. Also I'm a girl

This is awesome! You are absolutely an inspiration to me to learn how to do all this stuff

Thanks! The drive was amazing! I want to go back to that area with her one day and hit up all the side roads in the mountains! This little soob is going to be getting me out in nature a lot... looking forward to it so much!

Just got back, was planning to take photos today, but it's pouring rain.... don't worry, there will be many photos!

So after a long search, yesterday I brought home this lovely lady... to Chicago all the way from Utah (bought it off of TajMan). '86, ea81, 5 speed swap, hardly any rust! She drove 1500+ miles like a champ. Here are a few photos of our route We drove through Wyoming: We visited Scott's Bluff in Nebraska: We stopped in Iowa: Probably a lot more to come. She's my first Brat (but not my first soob; I have an '02 WRX), and my introduction to the ea81 and everything that goes with it. I'm a total noob, so there will be many questions I'm happy!

welcome!

Interested to know what the physical symptoms were. I'm a newbie to the lever/push button 4x4 (gonna be picking up my first one; '86 brat in a few weeks!!) and am always looking for new things to understand

Interested to know how you ended up getting the cable out. I'm imagining this is something I'm going to have to deal with in the future. gl!

What year did Subaru start using ABS as standard? Just curious.

Interested to know what mods are necessary for the swap. In the market for a BRAT and considering one with a swap.... mainly since I'd be doing my own repairs, etc.

:cool: you found my post! Yes, I saw the difference and that was probably the best answer I could get. Pleasure to meet you too!

Thanks all! Super helpful!

A shot in the dark.... Wondering about the interchangeability of gas tanks between an '85 BRAT and '88 GL wagon. Basically, I'm hoping to bring home a BRAT sometime soon, but it'd need a new (well, non-leaking) gas tank. I live in the land of no old gen Subies (i.e Illinois), and the only junk yard 80s model remotely in the area is an '88 GL. If by chance they happen to be interchangeable, that would be so awesome! I just didn't know where to start looking for the answer besides here. I'm just staring to get into older Subies and your help would be much appreciated! Thanks much in advance

love it! where did you get the SUBAROO sticker? I would love to have one of those!

You guys rock! Thanks for all the awesome info!

well it's not mine yet. I'm hoping hoping hoping to go pick it up this weekend! we shall see. If not, I may find myself with a BRAT; just as awesome!

Are the valve lifters in an ea81 (from an '88 hatch) hydraulic or do they require manual adjustment? Thanks much in advance!