Unfortunately I'm an idiot and wasn't watching oil and seized the engine on my '83 BRAT. Good thing I picked up this well-running '84 wagon real cheap ($700!!, 130k miles, can you believe it?) as a donor car. I'm taking the engine out of the Wagon and putting it into the BRAT, albeit way sooner than I expected.

I went to drop the 84 Wagon engine into the 83 BRAT today and was surprised to find a fitting pin on the lower right facing the transmission smashes straight into a fitting pin on the engine. 

What's up with these fitting pins? Can I hammer them out and put them in another position? Or, is the pin position clueing me in that this engine and this transmission is not in fact compatible?

Pictures attached.

1. I horizontally flipped the image facing the engine to make it easier to reason about this pin mismatch. 

2. a super zoomed in image of the pins clashing.

3. the overall setup just to show off my annoying slightly inclined driveway.

 

Anyone have a clue what's up with this pin? cheers!

Edited August 3, 20214 yr by Geluso
removing incorrect image explanation

You're correct. Usually the pins will stay on one side or the other when the engine and trans are separated. Since you have a new mate they are mismatched. As long as you have two pins, you can remove one of the pins blocking your way. (Eg: if the left or right side has no pins, take your extra that was removed and install it there. Or if you have 3 or more pins now, you only need 2, and now have spares for later.)

Yep, as six star said about the pins.

Also double check the gearbox input shaft size. Typically the 2wd is smaller than the 4wd one. Swapping clutch discs will solve this if it’s an issue (it will be noticeably different in diametre by eye).

Is the wagon in good condition? Would be a shame to see it wrecked if it’s in good nick. There’s more brumbys than wagons around over here now... and even less sedans and less coupes! I’d love a wagon and/or a coupe!

Cheers 

Bennie

Awesome info. Thanks. I'll knock some stuff around this evening.

el_freddo, the wagon is running GREAT!! It needs some brake work so I have something to learn there. Real squishy. They've been bled. Must be something else going on.

My friend sold me a 97 Impreza so my plan is to take the EJ out of the impreza and put it in the wagon. I'll buy the adapter plate off https://www.sjrlift.com/collections/engine-swap/products/ea-to-ej-swap-kit there. I'm a bit intimidated by the wiring harness work. Should have a fun wagon at the end of it though

Edited August 3, 20214 yr by Geluso

Wow. I just tapped it and it was the EASIEST thing to remove. Kicking myself for not trying yesterday but it was getting late anyways.

Ya'll are the best. Thanks for clueing me in.