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Few EJ22 swap questions

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Ok so I'm coming up on the completion of my ej22 swap into an 86 wagon carbureted chassis. So I have a few questions that weren't completely explained in numbchux's writeup.

 

This wagon is lifted 6" so the engine is dropped.

 

First. I know I'm supposed to upgrade my fuel lines and pump to fuel injection grade but has anybody noticed that the return fuel nipple on the firewall is way too small for the ej22? And since the hard fuel lines run through the car, there's no sense in tearing out all the interior to replace them. So my solution is to run seperate fuel hoses from the pump under the car to the engine bay. Easier solution?

 

Second, I have an automatic radiator of some sort so I'm not sure if it's thicker in the autos etc. But before the ej swap it was the carbureted 1.8 with the passenger side electric fan still attached. It won't fit now even without the ac pump so will one fit on the drivers side? Or do I need a slim fan or a pusher fan?

 

One last question for now. I need a lower radiator hose that will work. Ive gotten an upper to fit perfectly with a 6" lift from Oreilly pn 20801. Any suggestions other than numbchux writeup?

 

Thanks for your help! I'll probably have more for the wiring soon but most of the harness is good to go.

For fuel lines, use brass barb fittings to make a reducer from EJ size to EA.

 

You will need a similar adapter for the high pressure fuel line used with the new FI pump.

  • Author

I'm just using an xt6 fuel pump so I won't need any adapters for that. You sure making the return restrictive like that is ok?

I just used hose clamps to take up the extra wiggle on the return line. Snug it down and it's fine.

 

Also, just go and spend the $50 on a pusher fan. Make your life easy. They come with nifty little pieces so you can mount it right to your radiator and don't have to mess with any sort of custom bracketry to get your stock fan to fit where it was never designed to go. And that way you can fit two fans if you want.

I doubt the radiators were different between auto and manual's (I don't know this for a fact, someone with more experience will chime in.) I agree with jrett, when it comes to things like fans: K.I.S.S.

Edited by meeandmine

I'm just using an xt6 fuel pump so I won't need any adapters for that. You sure making the return restrictive like that is ok?

 

Yes you will. SPFI and MPFI pumps have larger fittings on them than the lines on your EA81.Oooops! Trust me.

 

And using the factory return line is fine, the pressure in that line is way lower. Been working just fine in my car and others.

Edited by Gloyale

I just used hose clamps to take up the extra wiggle on the return line. Snug it down and it's fine.

 

 

That is asking for trouble.

 

Never rely on a clamp to "snug down" an ill fitting hose. Get the proper size hose or it's all for nothing (when your Subaru goes up in flames from a gas line leak)

 

Spend 5 bucks on a brass barbed adapter.

Hmmm....maybe that's the gasoline smell I've been getting whiffs of....:lol: Seriously, though...that's good advice gloyale. Happen to know off the top of your head the hose size of the return on the carbed GL wagons?

  • Author

Remember mine is an 86 ea82 so it's the same as an xt6. It's already in.

I'm just speaking of the fittings the same by the pump and different onthe firewall.

What do I do about the odd angles and such of the lower radiator hose besides get the radiator modified?

Edited by tturnpaw

If I remember correctly, CMiller covered this in his swap writeup. I haven't gotten that far yet in my swap, still collecting parts.

When I did the EJ conversion on my carbed 86, the feed lines from the tank were smaller on the carb pump than the fuel injected pumps. I just picked up some adaptors to go from the smaller lines from the tank to the FI pump. I did the same thing for the return line.

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