Paperscale Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 So, either I'm an idiot, or the brat is the hardest vehicle to find information on ever. Maybe both. So I've found an.. alright brat for sale near me, and I'm just having a hard time figuring out if its worth it. Its an 85 with ttops, a topper, and no rear seats. They say it has an overheating issue, though he can still drive it short trips to and from places. It has slight rust around rear wheels and door sills. its a manual with 178k miles. They are asking $1400. I can't find hardly any others for sale seemingly anywhere, and there is hardly ever any for sale near me. Right now there is just one other one for sale, its an 85 as well, automatic with 80k miles and they want $2500. My other problem is, I want to know how much it would be to get the jump seats, if anyone ever sells them. I can't find any for sale, except for a set in oregon. Thats literally the only set of rear seats i can find anywhere. If anyone could help, or send me in the right direction, that'd be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Hard to be 100% sure with so little info, but plan on replacing the head gaskets. Over normal temperature while low on coolant almost always causes head gasket failure. Repeated, guarantees it. As long as it hasn't been really cooked bad, the reseal job should fix it. Miles on a decently maintained Subaru don't mean nearly as much to me as body condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperscale Posted January 1, 2017 Author Share Posted January 1, 2017 Is that a very costly/ hard job to do? Would I be able to do it with some buddies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducunee Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Denver area has BRATS in salvage yards. Watch Craigs list for cars and parts. Next most popular areas are the North west and New Hampshire. Have also seen in Arizona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperBrat Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Where is the auto brat for 2500?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Headgaskets & reseal, expensive to pay a shop for. Lots of us on the forum have done it. I've done it a number of times. There are a lot of threads with all of the tips and tricks. Maybe not the best thing for a first time project, but if you have a space and the time, you will learn a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperscale Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Well it wouldn't be a primary vehicle, so long as it's worth spending the time to fix I'm not too against doing so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperscale Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 Well, apparently it IS the head gasket according to the guy. He's lowered the price to $950 now, but he seems to say it's less driveable than before now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_freddo Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Head gasket for sure. Also look for rust in the bottom corners of the windscreen as they can typically rust here. Another place to check is behind the spare wheel. They're good little runners when you look after them - even then they don't need much attention in the long run Cheers Bennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperscale Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) Ok, so I've had a chance to look at the BRAT. The owner wasn't there so I couldn't start it or ask him questions, but he left it unlocked for me to look at. Now I have so many more questions! It's in worse shape than the ad would lead you to believe, but I kind of expected that. Its got spots of rust around the rear arches, a little under the doors and some on the front of the hood, but none of it is to the point of rotting, missing giant chunks, more like bubbling paint mostly. Not sure if anyone will check here again to reply to me, but I am curious about some more things. such as, how hard is it to get new seals for the T-tops? one side was missing a little towards the outside. I know T-tops leak, but I don't want rain pouring in either. Also, seals for the bed topper. One window seal is missing a chunk, and the whole rear window seal is gone. Are there any sites to locate those type of things? My local subie dealer says he can't even look up parts for a car this old so they are worthless. One last thing, this is my first time seeing the engine bay of a subaru, let alone one this old. is there a good picture somewhere or diagram of whats supposed to be where? I know A/C was optional on some, and it seems like there are some places that are missing belts, or there are random hoses apparently going no where. specifically towards the rear of the engine bay on the passenger side, there are about 4 hoses just sitting there, and there is a rubber.. something covering a hole back there. Is something important missing? Last big thing, there is what I'm pretty sure is the catalytic converter down in the back area, and it looks as though there is supposed to be a hose or something connected to it pointing upwards, sort of towards the front of the car because there is a hose clamp around the hole there, but I don't see what could even be going to it. EDIT- oh yeah I forgot to ask, I had heard the manual in the brat is pretty.. floppy? but just how floppy is normal? I swear I can put in in a gear, but it still wobbles back and forth as if its not in anywhere. is that normal, or a bit too bad? Thanks if you bothered to read though my short story, I'm new to subaru, but hopefully this could be a good project to learn with! Edited January 2, 2017 by Paperscale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperBrat Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 If this is the brat in Utah ive text him its blue with canopy wait it out and find a better one..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperscale Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 You really don't think it's that great? Any specific reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Bubbled paint rust is worse than you might think. It's coming through from behind. You will be doing yourself a big favor to find a Factory Service Manual for whatever model & year you end up buying. All those details of what's missing or just an option the car doesn't have are in there. Of course, no harm in asking here either, it just helps a lot to have the info on hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperscale Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 Ah I see. I'm not hugely concerned about the rust. It's old. It's been used, and I'd like to continue using it. I love pristine vehicles, but I'd love a fun looking car that I can also use, and learn to work on. I'll try to stop the rust best I can though so it doesn't go further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceageg Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 . . .To start, finding new parts of any kind for these cars borders on impossible. I have not tried to find the seals you are looking for but I imagine you will be hard pressed to find them. Hopefully others here will have better details. . ..One last thing, this is my first time seeing the engine bay of a subaru, let alone one this old. is there a good picture somewhere or diagram of whats supposed to be where? I know A/C was optional on some, and it seems like there are some places that are missing belts, Look on the dash near the heater controls for a placard that says something like "Equipped for Air Conditioning". Many of these came with multi-grove pulleys and controls for dealer added air conditioning. The hoses, compressor and wiring wont' be there but they are "ready" for AC. or there are random hoses apparently going no where. specifically towards the rear of the engine bay on the passenger side, there are about 4 hoses just sitting there I have not had any "extra" hoses dangling around on any of mine. and there is a rubber.. something covering a hole back there. Is something important missing? There is a medium sized rubber plug on the passenger side bell housing that when removed allows you to see the flywheel. Nothing is missing if the plug is there. Last big thing, there is what I'm pretty sure is the catalytic converter down in the back area, and it looks as though there is supposed to be a hose or something connected to it pointing upwards, sort of towards the front of the car because there is a hose clamp around the hole there, but I don't see what could even be going to it. There is a duct that runs from that exhaust shroud to a duct on the bottom side of the blue factory air box. It is supposed to supply warmer air to the carb during cold starts. From the factory it was built into the exhaust shroud on the passenger side right where the exhaust bolts to the head. Aftermarket cats have it built in but I have never seen one at the factory location on an aftermarket exhaust. It should run fine without that duct but may not idle as well initially after starts on cold days. EDIT- oh yeah I forgot to ask, I had heard the manual in the brat is pretty.. floppy? but just how floppy is normal? I swear I can put in in a gear, but it still wobbles back and forth as if its not in anywhere. is that normal, or a bit too bad? The term you are looking for is "bowl of oatmeal". Those not familiar with these older subies will be startled by the amount of slop. If it is in 1st gear it is normal to be able to align the shifter with where you expect 3rd gear to be. There is a thread here with detailed instructions about how to remove most of that slop. Thanks if you bothered to read though my short story, I'm new to subaru, but hopefully this could be a good project to learn with! You are very welcome. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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