acarcollector

Just posting an update in case anyone else runs into this. As I said earlier My 83 Brat had a Nippondenso distributor [Cardone 31-812]. I swapped it out with a Hitachi [Cardone 31-810]. This solved the problem with losing spark at 2-2500 RPM. Thanks to all who gave advice.

Thanks so much bushytails! Very much appreciated!

According to the shop manual all the 4wd soobs had the Hitachi in 83. I did notice the curve in the Nippondenso vacuum advance arm. It is straight on the Hitachi. I don't know what difference that would make but when mine starts dogging out and loses all spark at 2500 or so RPM, it does sound like the vacuum advance is not working properly. That was the first thing I checked but it seemed to be ok. I am hoping once I figure out this wiring the Hitachi will solve the problem.

Thank you sir, no hurry. The wiring was cut and spliced when the original Hitachi was replaced with the Nippendenso. Thanks again, Bill

Hello everyone, I'm looking for some help. I own a 1983 Subaru Brat non turbo automatic. Apparently the po installed a Nippondenso distributor at some point. According to a mechanic friend and also the shop manual it Brat's should have a Hitachi. I am having issues with it losing all spark above 2200-2500 RPM's so my mechanic friend recommended changing the coil and distributor back to factory specs. I found and purchased a rebuilt Hitachi. The question I have is that the pickup coil does not have any markings which connector is positive and which is negative. I am attaching a picture of what I am looking at. Does anyone know which is positive and which is negative? I couldn't find any info on this in the shop manual and the mechanic doesn't know either. Thanks for any help. Much appreciated. Bill