Bratwerst

not kidding you - my nephew literally THREW AWAY our digital camera... yea... anyway - let me scan through old pictures to see if I have one. btw - thanks for the help buddy - Erik -

there are steel wheels that look like these but have a "conventional" tapered area that centers the lug nut. the countour of where the lugnut seats on my wheels is like someone drilled a hole in the middle of a pringles potato chip. so the lugnut only seats on the inner and outter edge of the hole and does not contact the wheel on the "sides". Do we have the same wheel??? If so, I guess I'll give'er another shot... it just didnt fee right to me when I test-fitted them. - Erik -

What kind of "holding-wheel-onto-car-device" do I need for a set of these peugeot steel wheels?? They have an odd curve to them on the mating surface that prevents you from using standard lugnuts... And concerning that - anyone have any... I'll pay going (or better) price. - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Hey buddy, I've run into this numeroustimes as well - do you need to keep the pump?? or do you have a spare to toss in there?..... I had the chipping-off thing happen after I tried all the other ways of getting it out that did not work. I ended up drilling/tapping holes using old-H20pump bolts/some washers and a steering wheel puller. came RIGHT out with that trick. Its not like the crank is going anywhere. Have some pics online if you want to see them. Later bro. - Erik -

Title says it all - Speedometer is howling like a mofo'. Replaced the speedometer cable with a known decent one and it makes a wretched howling noise and I can't see the needle (its an 81 GL, that has the "arm" that goes out to the center of the speedometer - is the needle behind that???) Basically do I need to replace the speedo- or is there something else going on??? - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Problem solved. It was the flasher in a roundabout way. I replaced the flasher unit with a used one a few years ago but I think my friend who I sold it to replaced it with an incorrect spec. flasher. Swapped hazard and flasher cylinders to test and the symptoms carried over. Also put in a Brand-spankin-new flasher I had sitting in the garage to the same effect... Took the 'good' one to Baxter and picked up an identical one, pluged em in and wa'la - turns out thats what it was. Didn't realize there were all too many different variations (and how/why he and I had some strange off-breed that we put in) at any rate - next step: rewiring fuel pump! - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Totally forgot to mention it does this both right and left - in an identical manner... sorry - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Car is: 1981 4WD GL Wagon, 1.8 - 4spd yadda-yadda Problem: Turn signals flash normal for a SHORT while (maybe 15 seconds) then start blinking faster and faster..... THEN... they just stay solid (on). Anyone got any ideas about whats going on? Oh yea, solutions too, I'd like one of those . Have a co worker comming to buy the car and need this sorted out before hand. - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

I hopped on just to see when it was and if I could make it / work out chips/drink etc.... I didn't know until today if my hours were going to run through the time of the BBQ, damn finicky work-hours:mad: . Anywho, as to someone whose met him and hung out for a bit - Dave is a standup guy, with a pretty cool wagon to boot - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Are you kidding me?!? I also grew up right behind Stadium High (the Ansonia Apts. on 2nd+Tac. ave) small world. Also - the lady who I brought my BRAT from lived down the same block in the apts. next to mine at the same time. If you remember a sivler BRAT about 8-9 years ago, that'd be mine. As far as meetin up - I'm good for Monday. - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

What intersection are you generally located? (you could even give me specifics and I'd know exactly where that was; if you want) Turns out it was you that I saw a few weeks ago - intersection of 6th/sprauge/division. I was in my pimp-yacht (gold caprice-classic coupe) so I didn't expect you to take any notice. - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Hey there - also in Tacoma, think I've seen your car around.... I'm always up for meeting more subaru folks. Shoot me off an email @ ThisRoosLifted@MSN.COM if you want to swap soob stories sometime. - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

I'm well aware of those bolts you speak of! Had a helluva time getting the heads off an 81 wagon when those were still in (doh!!!!) That will be easy to tell then - thanks! - Erik -

There's a bit of unwanted engine noise..... it's quite annoying. The motor is supposed to be from an 83 with an automatic which means it SHOULD be a hydro motor BUT the "do not adjust valves" stickers arent there on the valvecovers. I don't know why any previous mechanic would peel them off... I want to adjust my valves one way or another, just don't want to do them incorrectly. Anyone have an easy (outside or valve-cover removal) way of telling???? I've got a few hours to kill before work so you skimmers reply!! thanks - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Brat's valves are clacking up a bit, quite annoying and noisey. If they're solid lifters I'll adjust them - if they're hydraulic lifters I'll adjust them as well; if that doesn't help I'll pop on a new oil-pump... BUT.... I need to figure out which one it is. There is no "DO NOT ADJUST VALVES" on the valve-covers even though the car is* (was) an 83 BRAT with AUTO (should be Hydro). The engine could have been replaced at some point in its past. Thanks! - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Yea, thats exactly what IM talking about (the T/O bearing) - I have a tendency to consider the clutch/Press. plate/flywheel all "engine" as thats those come out with the engine. But ok, I feel a tad better, still feel on like im on eggshells though - thanks guys! - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

I have no clue whats going on, but theres somethings HORRIBLY wrong with my BRAT, what I want to know is what is the worst-case senario for a bad throwout bearing (or whatever you choose to call the bearing inbetween the trans and the engine) Just trying to determine if I should start prepping my spare motor or what..... Quick syptoms - sounds like somethings flopping around-grinding... like a metal toolbox skidding aroudn in the back of a truck-bed. The little chirpy-chirp that I had before upon startup (that would go away after a minute or so) came back when driving for some raeason and stayed on steady and things went downhill from there - started driving like it was bogged down, hard to start (this is all on the way home - it even cut out on me once).. Bad T/O bearing, loose flywheel???

point taken, wasn't sure if HID was something totally specific or of HID was part of the "H4" thing, hence the *may*. Either way I'm pleased I did even "the cheap-rump roast-crappy-junk" verson as they're better than my old cheesy rectangular lights and look an ell'of'a'lot cooler IMO. - Erik -

How long ago did you do your conversion? I *may* have you beat - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

I removed and cleaned the oil pickup about 40 miles ago when I put in the new oil pump, along with re-cleaning any gunk from the pan when I had it off. I guarantee ya its not clogged. An oil PSI guage goes in with the new motor. who needs EA81 parts??? - Erik -

Sounds like its a main bearing - Was talking with Russ (caboob) and hes had it happen. A main bearing is the only knock that allows an "intermittent" setting between "ok" and "death" In with the new seals and in with the spare motor! - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

Definately sure its not a tranny or motor mount, I thought at first it could be a spark-knock issue as well but I played with the timing all over and it didn't seem to right itself - 91 octane is whats in the tank. These are all good diagnoses guys, just ones I've amazingly gone through already. :-\ thanks to those who've spoke up so far! - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

A: Solid Lifters B: Valves have been adjusted So I dont think its a lifter/valve sound? Plus it doesnt get down on power when it knocks, nothign changes but sound really. - Erik - Tacoma, WA -

ITS GONE?!?!! UGHGHGH!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!! Last night - took it to pay off my VW, it was wet so I decided I was going to have some fun with it at least if the engine was gonna go kablooey. I FLOGGED IT.......HARD.... after the first burnout I pulled up to the ATM and the knocking was so loud I could hear it echoing. Drop off my payment a few blocks away, let it idle in his driveway for a bit as I'm in talking to him. Come out, still knocking some... the rest of the way to the closests milk-and-TP selling establishment and all the way home I ran that BRAT like a scalded dog, suprised no one called the cops. Anyway, this should blow it up right?? 5K shifts, all sorts of not-niceness.... pull up to my house, turn off the stereo.... idling..... perfectly. Knock isn't knocking... what the heck is going on?!?! I'm pretty dern sure its a knock, cant think of another RPM related knockknockknockknock soundcomming from the engine. Ok guys, Oil psi guage aside, ANYONE ever have anything like this?!?!?! - Erik -

Oil is brand new - less than a week old And the sqeaky sound being the cable too tight?? If i were to tighten the cable more, in theory; it could go away completely - but i'm not trying to ruin a good cable. I say that because if you even just push on the clutch fork where the cable attaches with your finger it will stop. (in the direction that the cable would pull it of course) - Erik - Edit - when the oil pump gernaded in the engine upon removal and I had to drill a few holes to get it out - shards got in the screen so I totally took the pan off and blew that clean. I wish it were nice and simple like that. and as far as oil pressure - right now it is guageless as the guage flipped out and died shortly after swaping engines and I havent had the chance to wire another guage yet