Rockman

78BRAT, here's a pic of the ignition. I sent you a PM with shipping. I'm 95% sure this is a 77-79 ignition switch. Manufaturer stamp is KANTO SEIKI. There's no part# but it's also stamped KV-13.

I used a screwdriver to start my 79 wagon for years. Anyhow, I've got a never been used ignition switch with keys if anyone is interested. Make me an offer I guess. It's about the last thing I have from my genII stuff besides some EA71 pistons.

oh, to find a 4wd in that nice a shape.

Wow, with those Jackman rims it sure looks like a 4wd. Too bad it has an automatic transmission.

I've thought of doing this as well. Question. If you install the EA81 and matching transmission can you use the driveshaft from the EA71 or do you need the one that went with the EA81?

If this soob is still looking for a loving home I'd be interested and willing to fly up and drive it to AZ. Or ship. PM me if you haven't sold it. I've been looking for this year rather than trying to restore the one I've got.

Sounds like its a go as long as I have the right tranny which looks like a mate to the ea81 but also has amnesia with no known history.

I assume you mean the shift linkage?

Ah, thats good to know before I sink any dead presidents into rebuilding this motor. I think I'll look into modifying the cross member first. Most subies of that vintage in this area are now crushed and recycled. Thanks for the tip!

I suspected this might be the case. An engine with amnesia. No past but hopefully a future. I picked up the 4wd transmission with it as well and I'm hoping the pair will bolt into my 1979 ea71 wagon. From previous threads I think it will. I guess the lifter thing will clue me in somewhat if and when when I tear the ea81 apart. Its definitely not a runner.

I did a search but didn't find anything conclusive. Picked up an ea81 engine with an unknown history. Can you tell what year it is from by other markings on the heads or crankcase? Stamped below the EA81 designation are the numbers 54519 which I figure is some sort of production number and also nearby are two circles, one with a 1/9 inside and the other with an 80/8 inside. I have no idea what these mean.

Okay I get it. And apparently because of the shorter stroke on the ea71 the wrist pin location is different. Thus, you can use an ea71 piston in the ea81 and increase compression ratio a bit because of the longer stroke. Would that also increase horsepower or just low end torque? I have a set of ea71 pistons that have been in a box for 18 years since my 78 2dr was totaled in 1986. Thanks for the info!

four headlights instead of two and a tachometer in the dash?

And another question I might add-how the heck did they squeeze another 200 cc if the pistons are the same size? Can I get that much out of a rebore on my 1600? Anyway, it sounds like if its an ea81 its definitely 1800 and not 1600.

Thanks for the replies. Color me confused because according to this chart there are 1600 cc EA81s in a several of the gen 2 early 80s cars. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/80s/specs/mechanical/engine-specs.html I can't remember the starter location. That's the real give away? On the side for ea81s and on top if its an ea81. Anyway, its stamped an ea81 but it sure doesn't look much different. And the VIN number won't help since its typically on the dashboard of what is now a crushed and recycled car.

I did a quick search but didn't find anything definitive. Found a 78 brat with 3 subaru motors in the back: an ea71, ea81, and an ea82. I've been looking for an 1800 ea81 to stick in my 79 wagon. From a glance its hard to figure out if the ea81 is 1600 or 1800. From appearance, the only differences are the oil filler has more of a twist, the water outlet (thermostat) is horizontal rather than slanted upward, and I think the pulley was 3 grooved. There's no air cleaner but the original Hitachi carb is there. Any tips appreciated. This guy is looking to sell the Brat which looks a bit beat up but not much rust and the engines for $500 if anyone and happens to be in Flagstaff.

Looks familiar to mine as well although it doesn't look like this anymore.

Thanks a bunch for the info! The dealership wants $52 for the VSS and $149 for the speedo head so getting an idea of which one it is could save at least 4 cases of beer.

Looks like I've got the same problem on my 99 Outback. No error code is sent to memory on a diagnostic check. If the intermittent failure is a result of a bad VSS would that send a code? I'll have to try the windshield wiper technique-that seems to point to the speedo head. Great info! How hard was it to get at the instrument cluster to replace the speedo head?

Nice rebuild! I'd go with the darker metallic blue. Are you going to paint the engine compartment the same color? What was the brown color in the usual rusted areas in the engine compartment? My guess would be some sort of rust inhibitor prior to primer? I'm thinking of doing the same thing to my 79Dl wagon and rebuild the engine of course but I've got a lot of rust in the engine compt and lower body panels. wah.

ah, I get it-higher amp translates to more appliances.

Just curious but is there any advantage to replacing a alternator that uses an external voltage regulator with a alt with an internal? Its been awhile since I looked under the hood of my 79 wagon but I believe I have an ex reg that is located in between the battery and the coil or above the coil. I'm planning a complete 1600 rebuild sometime this year. Great info!

Let me see if I'm getting this right. I can drop the 83 2wd EA81 into a 79 4wd wagon? Will the transmission in the 79 mate with the EA81? I'll bet your setup has a bit more omph than the EA71. What is the difference between a 2wd distributor and a 4wd distributor? I'm guessing less low end torque?

Actually, it was purchased at the College Park Volkswagon dealership in MD. From the sounds of it I can put any of the late 79 or early 1980s distributors in it? Just swap out the ballast resistor and the other stuff that comes with the Hitachi points model? At any rate I guess I'm going to look for a decent 4wd model and sell the 2wd and use my current 79 as a parts car. Thanks again for the beta. Joe

Thanks Racer-x. That does seem the simplest solution if I want to stay in the EA71 4wd game. Definitely a classic. I am surprised, however, from a mass production standpoint that the wagon body style seemingly the same on the 2wd and 4wd that you can't just switch the 4wd stuff over. A quick glance at the under carriage it looks pretty similiar but apparently not. And I was going to a complete rebuild on everything anyway so it wouldn't be that much more work. That is, new boots on the axels, new struts, etc. And yes, my 79 (production date 12/78) does have a stock electronic pointless distributor. Thanks for the input. Joe