Hey again, it looks like i got a winner of a EA81 motor for my brat this weekend. However i need to be honest with my self and while i have no problem removing/replacing a motor, the guts of it are pretty much alien to me. What i want is it to get looked over in order for me to get a warm fuzzy prior to stuffing it as i dont want to do this on the brat ever again.

 

I have a new clutch waiting in the garage, and a full gasket set as well if needed.

 

Can anyone reccomend a good shop in the northern puget sound area?

Just bolt on a starter and run a compression test. There is no way to check the internals other than that without complete dissasembly, and if you are going to pay for it, or do it yourself you might as well put in new main bearings, rod bearings, and rings. Especially if you already have a new gasket set. But a compression test will tell you if it's going to start or not. Now if it needs head work (unlikely as usually the EA81's wear the rod and main bearings long before they need head work), then that can be done with the engine in your Brat anyway. So best to just run a compression test (wet/dry), and install it if it's good. Make sure to use a NEW oil pump, as they generally only last about 100k or so. New sending unit is a good idea too. These engines live or die by that oil pressure guage. Bad oil pressure will send a rod through the block in short order. You can run them dry of coolant, but not oil.

Zap, Ed, Rob, Ken... the list is unreal. Give one of those guys a call and see if they have time to give you a hand. They are all great guys and are known for their generosity if their lives aren't too compacted with other responsibilities. There is a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips, and a couple of cases of beer and a promise to return the favor will generally get the job done.

Hey again, it looks like i got a winner of a EA81 motor for my brat this weekend. However i need to be honest with my self and while i have no problem removing/replacing a motor, the guts of it are pretty much alien to me. What i want is it to get looked over in order for me to get a warm fuzzy prior to stuffing it as i dont want to do this on the brat ever again.

 

I have a new clutch waiting in the garage, and a full gasket set as well if needed.

 

Can anyone reccomend a good shop in the northern puget sound area?

 

 

I only know of Pacific Import Auto down near Tacoma... They did my STi swap and they are well versed in all Subarus, especially early gen. The owner was a Subaru Master Mechanic for 20+ years before he went on his own with this business a couple of years ago.

 

Pacific Import Auto Inc

13311 Pacific Ave S,

Tacoma, WA 98444

Phone: (253) 536-0389

Try smart service, they should be up your way, I'll be up there in a month if you can wait that long.