Hey guys,

 

I need to replace the headgaskets in my Brat, question:

 

Do I need to pull the engine out or is there enough clearance to pull the heads over the head studs?

 

thanks

Its tight but there is just enough clearance to pull the heads off while the motor is in the car. But...it only takes an extra few minutes with these engines to pull them too and while its out u can do a full reseal and drop it back in.

Make sure you don't just need new manifold gaskets before you go and tear off the heads.

 

GD

Make sure you don't just need new manifold gaskets before you go and tear off the heads.

 

GD

 

Good catch. Yes i second this. Manifold gaskets on EA81s are far more likely than headgaskets.

Thanks for the info guys, I have lots of water in he oil, so I just assumed it would be the head gaskets.

 

Is there any way to confirm whether its the manifold gaskets or the head gaskets.

 

Also any other tips about doing this job would be great, as my only experience is with OHC Mazda engines.

 

IS there on the web anywhere a procedure for replacing the head gaskets?

 

Once again thanks guys!

Where are you seeing this "water in the oil"? If it's just on and around the breather ports on the valve covers then you need to address a PCV system flow issue. If it's actually milkshake in the pan then you have either head gasket or freeze plug issues.

 

EA81 head gasket failures are pretty rare. That is a very stout little engine and will take a serious amount of abuse without popping the head gaskets typically.

 

Being these engines do not have overhead cams, etc. The actual head gasket replacement procedure is a cake-walk. I could do one in probably just a few hours. Other than the rocker assembly bolts that slip out through holes in the frame rail, the head will slide off the studs in the block without removing the engine from the vehicle.

 

The most critical aspects are that you use the Fel-Pro perma-torque head gaskets but get the intake and exhaust manifold gaskets from the DEALER ONLY. I can't stress that enough. Aftermarket (including Fel-Pro) are total junk. Make sure to prep the surfaces well - soft wire wheel on the intake manifold and head port and 3M pad on the block and heads if you don't have the heads surfaced.

 

GD

Edited June 4, 201015 yr by GeneralDisorder

fel pro makes a PermaTorque head gasket that doesn't require retorquing for the EA82. it's widely recommended in the Subaru world - if they make one for the EA81 i'd go that route as well if you end up needing head gaskets.

 

EA82's are really easy to do in the car, just don't try it if you have a bad back.

I got the felpro gaskets. The ones with a bead on silicone printed on the gasket.  What side does the bead of glue go on?

Head side or block side?

Edited April 5, 201510 yr by coronan

think you will find gasket can only go one way, and the bead is head side

I know, old thread, but is there a "best" place to source the head gasket set? I've found several places selling, and some look different, and are all different prices. How do I know that it's for sure the right one?

 

I also see that it's suggested to get the manifold gaskets from the dealer, but no dealer around me can even acquire parts for a BRAT. Are the felpro really that bad, or is there another place to get them?

 

Sorry about the dumb questions. This'll be my first time doing this, and I'm going to have a friend help me do it. I'm just trying to make a list of parts and stuff I'll need to get before he comes over to help.

Felpro, and all intake and thermostat gaskets I've seen are just thin cardboard, here's some pictures: 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/78310-intake-gasket-failure-fixed-w-pic/

 

No dealer can acquire parts from a Brat?  What do you mean?  Did they not find a part number or not available?

Here should be the part number:  http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/110442-subaru-part-numbers-for-gaskets-ea81/

 

Are EA81 and EA82 intake manifold gaskets the same - these listings don't say 1980-1984, either because they're the wrong part or they're just not referencing those?

 

Subaru appears to have these:

http://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/GASKET-INTAKE-MANIFOLD--3132----E140087-/49226518/14035AA150.html

 

http://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe-subaru/14035aa150

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUBARU-14035AA150-GENUINE-OEM-MANIFOLD-GASKET-/331420499208

 

Just google "EA81 intake manifold gasket"....add "part number"....within a few seconds of trying you'll have what you need. 

I know what you mean about the dealers. I called my local dealer (Stivers Subaru in Decatur Ga.) asking about an ea81 piece last week, and after some hemming and hawing the counter man finally told me that the part was no longer available and that I should go online and find a Subaru message board. So I don't think getting OEM parts is going to be a viable option going forward. Everybody here seems to agree that the fel-pro head gasket is OK, but maybe we should report our experiences with various brands of aftermarket intake and exhaust gaskets, just in case there's something out there that will pass muster. 

(Stivers Subaru in Decatur Ga.) asking about an ea81 piece last week.

They may be less familiar with Subarus due to not being popular in GA, particularly older generation Subaru's. they were quite uncommon down there pre-2000. When I lived there, I'm probably forgetting someone, but I didn't know one person that owned a Subaru.

 

He at least found the information and pointed you online, that's about all he could do even if he didnt' offer it with a box of chocolate covered pecans! (i love those!).

 

EA81's arent' everywhere but www.car-part.com is sometimes a great resource for searching yards all over the country.

Edited February 15, 20179 yr by grossgary

Yeah when I gave the dealer the year and model, they couldn't even look up vehicles that old he said.

 

I'll maybe try out those part numbers and see if they can find something.

I've gotten parts/gaskets from here,

 

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/

Fel Pro for all but the intake gaskets. Idk about pre ea82. But the oem ones I bought a few years ago are some kind of reenforced black slippery stuff. The paper ones kept failing on me. I've seen a thread or 2 where someone swapped a SPFI intake onto an EA81 so maybe those gaskets will fit.

EA81 and EA82 carb/SPFI intakes manifold gasket are the same.

 

I've seen both Blue and Tan colored ones from the Dealer I order thru.

Subaru # 14035AA150

FelPro Failure... maybe 60k miles

marked in white failed..

I got OEM this time..

The new oem has a tab that wraps around from the ring to where it would fail.. suppose somebody did their homework at subaru...

 

And thanks again for the support from members of USMB!!!

Edited February 17, 20179 yr by Len Dawg

Thanks for the Intake Manifold Part number TomRhere. Called the local dealership today and the guy was kinda stumped. Been noticing some of the Subaru dealer sites no longer list parts for anything older than 85. I know technically the 85/86 Brats/hatches should be the same, but they can't seem to search with anything but the VIN when I've called. 

Edited June 9, 20178 yr by ebarb

Many dealers will gladly ship you the parts you need. Call Lithia Subaru in Oregon City, Oregon. Tell them Rick from SSI sent you.

 

GD

Thanks for the follow up GD. I was able to search that day off the p/n and found the dealer in Wichita has this in stock.