Boy ohh boy did I have a headache today.

 

I intended to finally swap out this axle.

 

 

and replace it with a good used one.

 

 

unfortunately, my axle pin tool seems to be missing. What do you guys use to push those things out when you don't have the proper tool?

 

I also decided to repaint the stock disty cover, or what ever you call that thing.

 

 

It looks like there is dirt in the paint in the photo, but it was just some dust that landed on it after the paint had cured.

 

 

I managed one other small thing.

 

I made this...

 

 

look like this...

 

 

I have another set of wheels for this guy, and I am getting them powder coated for free through my current job. I can't wait for that. I'm also doing an extra skid plate the same color white.

 

I found out today that the passenger ball joint is about to come apart. The best that the parts store could do is getting one tomorrow. I'll have to swap it and the axle tomorrow. Monday morning a I'm driving to Lake Orion to pick up a WRX with a friend of mine. Its always last minute with these kinds of repairs.

Edited March 10, 201214 yr by Mechanical_misfit

quote: What do you guys use to push those things out when you don't have the proper tool? end quote..

 

I have used the shank of a Phillips screwdriver which I hacksawed the "point" off of.

I was about to do that too, but I got a hold of a friend who has the correct tool. I also just ordered some plugs, a cap, and a rotor. Judging by the current one, this should help me get a little bit more performance. The car runs great, but these plugs are done!

Updates!

 

I found a clean set of Ford Escort seats that matched up with my interior. No pics of them yet because the rest of the inside is still pretty dirty. I will have pics up later for that.

 

But let's talk about that swap! It's super easy.

 

If your old ea81 has seats that are as worn as mine were, and you want an easy solution, go this route. I used front seats from a `97 escort wagon, would have liked some from a GT, but couldn't find ones that would match. use your stock ea81 seat rails, and oval out the rear holes about an 1/8 inch. Then simply install them on to the escort seats. They fit great and are way more supportive than the worn stockers.

 

I also found a product that worked great for repainting my stock bumpers. I'll give more info on that project tomorrow. It was also quite easy.

 

 

The little guy got to meet a WRX today!

 

 

So for the bumpers I used a product called SEM bumper coater. It came in an aerosol can. I picked the standard black, but it comes in many colors. Prep was very simple. I scuffed them down with a red scuff pad, and cleaned with wax and grease remover. Then I sprayed it on. I think if you compare them to how they looked before, it was well worth the hour or so that It took me to do it.

 

 

You can also see I found some beauty rings for the rims.

 

 

As you can see the escort seats look at home. I really need to get this interior clean!

 

 

I found some more goodies today too. A friend of mine had these sitting in an old trailer with some other wheels and tires. They are not to pretty, but I'll see what I can do.

 

 

 

Got the center caps too! :cool:

 

 

Here they are after being washed off.

 

 

here's two of the caps after buffing.

 

 

Here the wheel on the right has been buffed, the one on the left as found. I am thinking of sand blasting these and then powdercoating them with a very bright silver. I work in a powdercoating factory part time, so I can get a great deal on that. Then I could just paint the black parts again. Has anyone sand blasted aluminum before?

I have a set of those wheels as well. They look pretty good on ea81's. Bumpers look awesome. Car is coming along nicely!

I have a set of those wheels as well. They look pretty good on ea81's. Bumpers look awesome. Car is coming along nicely!

 

Thanks man! I figured that I wouldn't ever come across another set so for $40 I couldn't pass them up. Plus, refurbishing them will be pretty easy.

H wheels are the bomb...

Have 2 sets of the H-rims here, and they looked good on the '85 BRAT.

 

As for blasting them, you would want to use glass beads or crushed walnut shells. Gives better finish to aluminum then sand does.

 

But in saying that, I spent yesterday sand blasting the XT6 Motion wheels. Borrowed the cabinet from work, and had to go with what was in it.

Geez! What else are you stashing in your garage Tom? Perhaps Pugs? :-p

Lookin better and better.

Not much new to report here, but I have been driving the heck outta this little guy!

 

I started my seasonal job back up working at silver lake state park. At our park, we have a large ORV scramble area, and April 1st was the season opener. I managed to get the DL in shape to run on the dunes. I only got a few pics but I had a ton of fun.

 

I've ran it on the dunes twice now, and have learned that I really need to check my timing. It likes to spark knock when under load on the dunes. I also still need to get a valve adjustment done.

 

Anyways, Here's some pictures.

 

 

 

 

The DL also made friends with another WRX

 

nothing like a subaru at the dunes:banana:

You have dunes in MI? I don't think we have them in WI?

 

We also don't have any OHV/ORV parts either.

Yep, we have dunes all along the west coast, but as far as I know, the only legal dune off-roading is at our state park. I've been trying to figure out if a mid-west usmb meet could happen here, but it is a bit of a drive for most. I actually see quite a few subarus there though. I saw a baja today, and yesterday there was a black `05 wrx with a small lift bombing around. The silver wrx belongs to a friend of mine. It's great to see that thing spank all the trucks and some of the quads/dirt bikes on the drag strip.

Many eons have passed since I've been there...

 

Spark knock is most likely the vac advance isn't working.

Many eons have passed since I've been there...

 

Spark knock is most likely the vac advance isn't working.

 

Looks like the vac lines going to it are good, how do I test it?

 

I just finally got around to pulling the dash apart and diagnosing the odometer issue. The plastic drive gear is worn, and the grease had hardened up. I was able to free it up, and it works now. I still plan on grabbing the speedo itself from the 87 hatch that I've been snagging parts from.

 

I'm glad the odometer is working now. I want to keep track of my fuel economy considering I drive this thing 88 miles round trip for work. What sort of economy should I expect? I keep it around 65mph on the highway, and its a straight shot from here to work on the highway. Tom, what does your BRAT average? Anybody else care to chime in?

Not an EA81 but, my Loyale only used little over 1/4 tank going to and coming back from Beliot, which is 60+ miles each way, put on about 124miles. I was running it at 4500rpm at 80mph most of the way back.

 

I also have 27" tires and a roof rack, so its not the most economical. lol.

What are the front fenders like on that Hatch? Rotted and missing sections?

Passenger was smashed, drivers side was rusted at the bottom. I think Keystone automotive out of Grand Rapids MI can still get aftermarket replacement fenders though if you're looking. I still havn't had time to make it up to the yard that had the Ski wagon.

AWESOME! I was wondering how these older wagons would do at the Dunes. Looks like they have enough oompf to have fun up there.

Haven't really figured mileage in a bit, but I'm around the 26-27 range.

 

5 gallons of gas will get me 2-1/2 round trips to work/home, a tick over 64 miles per round trip.

 

My tank has decided to leak if I do more than 1/2 tank, so I just do 5 gallons at a time, waiting for the "low fuel" light to come on before I stop for more.

 

I did, (but not by choice), do 157 miles on something between 5-6 gallons. Can't say for sure what was in the tank, but I put 5.2 gallons in, reset tripmeter. Low fuel light came on with some 28 miles to go to get home. Only station between there and the house was closed. Was already showing some 130 miles driven since last gas.

AWESOME! I was wondering how these older wagons would do at the Dunes. Looks like they have enough oompf to have fun up there.

 

They do great, but the ej cars are the best for the dunes really. It's fun to see all the people freak out seeing my old subaru going up the dunes, most people dont even know what it is. They just think its grandma's wagon

most people dont even know what it is. They just think its grandma's wagon

 

I get this a lot :-p you eventually get over it. It's looking great by the way.

So, it is official, this car will now be known as the Desert Fox. I am not just waiting on Pooparu to send me the decals.