Okay. Background.

 

ea71 engine (78 Brat)

111k miles.

stock carb

stock points disty

 

it was running good except for an occasional backfire where the massive exhaust leaks were when I got it... ASV was bad too.

 

I got a Complete new exhaust. still loud running (ASV) and some backfiring..

 

I took it for a drive (less than 10 miles) (up to 50 mph probably) On the way home, it started running poorly. missing.

 

So next things done:

oil change/new SOA filter (replaced a Ford one)

new NGK plugs (old Autolite plugs were varying degrees of bad).

new NGK wires (old ones were super stiff/old)

new fuel filter

new air filter

new cap and rotor (shaft bushing still in good shape)

ASV plugged

 

still sounds like it's missing and low on power.

 

I have a newer electronic disty and coil I can put in.

 

if that doesn't do anything, then what's left. no compression perhaps.

not much else it can be.....

fuel pump? not on your list.

timing off?

needs weber?

carb rebuild?

hmmmm, mice in the intake?

fresh gas?

fuel pump? not on your list.

timing off? disty is tight. never moved

needs weber? definitely. but needs to wait until I SPFI the red brat

carb rebuild? see above

hmmmm, mice in the intake? no.

fresh gas? This is something to consider. I had planned to put fresh in, but hadn't yet.... I did put some SeaFoam in it though....

 

I have a spare pump I could try....

use a hand siphon, get as much gas out as you can. put that old gas in your truck if it done't look too bad. Dump in fresh gas, try that first.

then after fresh gas, would go to the fuel pump 2nd.

good luck

Did you replace the points? I would drop a Electronic disty in there, points are a b**ch. I have 2 sets of points if you want one let me know, they are brand new in box from Honduras, they are OEM.

-Bill

Im betting on points, all the rigs we have that had points act just like you describe when the points go bad. If you decide to replace them make sure you gap them right and set the correct dwell.

-Bill

Id 2nd bad gas. For as long as its probally sitting i might boil out the tank or something to get the crud out of it.

Dirt in the carb?

Mick, IMHO you need to replace that points disty with an electronic one. I found I actually got better mileage with it then the points disty that was originally in it. Also, drain the old gas from the tank if you don't know how long its been in there. Then give it the ole "rag over the carb" trick to try and clean the jets out a bit. Also cycle some Seafoam through the carb, do the rag trick again, put the rest into the tank and go for it. If it still runs like poo, then time for a carb rebuild or Weber. I've done quite a few gen 1 Hitachis so if you have any questions, let me know:banana:

My guess is pounts, but first Put a new fuel filter in and swap the fuel pump out too if you've got one you know is good. Hi Mick. I'm going through a similar battle with the green wagon.

One more thing make sure the disty shaft doesn't have much wiggle.

Mick, IMHO you need to replace that points disty with an electronic one. I found I actually got better mileage with it then the points disty that was originally in it. Also, drain the old gas from the tank if you don't know how long its been in there. Then give it the ole "rag over the carb" trick to try and clean the jets out a bit. Also cycle some Seafoam through the carb, do the rag trick again, put the rest into the tank and go for it. If it still runs like poo, then time for a carb rebuild or Weber. I've done quite a few gen 1 Hitachis so if you have any questions, let me know:banana:

 

My guess is pounts, but first Put a new fuel filter in and swap the fuel pump out too if you've got one you know is good. Hi Mick. I'm going through a similar battle with the green wagon.

 

One more thing make sure the disty shaft doesn't have much wiggle.

 

the disty shaft was good, that's why I just put on a new cap and rotor I had laying around. I had an electronic disty and coil, sitting there waiting, but it was getting to be about 2:30 AM so I called it a night....

 

gas seems fine, as did the fuel pump. I've hadlots worse gas,and still been able to drive. The guy had driven it recently and it had a near full tank.

 

I ran sea foam through, and also did a good cleaning from above on the carb.

 

I've done the disty swap before too, so that'll be the next step. maybe Sat. night I'll have time.....

Been long time since I've messed with points......

 

Check the coil wires for proper connection.. Kinda 'member a few vehicles that had running issues, and someone had replaced coil. Had + - backwards on the coil. Does make a difference.......

want some help, im kinda bored over here.

Mick I'm sure you are going to "Weberize" it

at some point.

But if you want try another carb,

I have a pretty clean EA71 Hitachi on the bench.

I'll send you.

Email or PM me if you want.

I'll get it out first thing Monday morning.

well, it looks like the disty was it. I put the electronic one in I just picked up at the junkyard from a '82 DL coupe.

 

the little bit I ran it, it felt like a whole new car. will take it for a drive Sunday.

Mick any other juicy subarus at the local bone yard. You know my wife has seen pictures of your new brat on the sight and shes like, thats ugly. I wonder what shes gonna say when its in the driveway. )

well, it looks like the disty was it. I put the electronic one in I just picked up at the junkyard from a '82 DL coupe.

 

the little bit I ran it, it felt like a whole new car. will take it for a drive Sunday.

 

That was the same on my '78 Brat. I swapped the points disty with an electronic one from a '83 coupe and it ran mucho better and got better mileage. I then swapped in the JDM FE engine, put the electronic disty and a Weber on it and it was a kick in the pants. I haven't felt a EA71 feel like that ever. Granted I had RWD but the power I had was incredible and would do awesome posi burnouts without any thought. It was hard to keep it under control in the wet though:-\

very fun today. most roads were still snow covered from Friday nights storm.

the little 165/80R13s dug right in...

 

I think the valves need adjusted yet, and there's a slight exhaust leak where the weld isn't complete.

 

other than that, lots 'o fun.

 

I went to a hi performance auto parts swap meet today. no soob parts and it was very hard to find the brat in the parking lot since it was the lowest thing there, (other than a baby blue corvette somebody was driving in the slush)

did anyone ask what it was?

did anyone ask what it was?

 

no, but got lots of looks.

good you grabbed the dist.

 

I may still have a few sets of ea71 valve cover gaskets

So whats the timing set at?

So whats the timing set at?

 

At least I have a timing light (no compression tester still) but alas, I just threw the new disty in and it's a screamer didn't even check timing besides, I usually just time by ear

nice