closer9

WOW! So that's what it's supposed to look like... I've got a Looooooooooooooooooooooong way to go if I ever want to get there...

Well, I got the heater bypassed, and a new water pump installed. Then found the brakes are almost non existent, 'nother project there... Also, found the throttle linkage is sticking somewhere, and that's why it was idling so fast. Didn't feel like messing with the brakes, so just let it idle for a while to see if it would get hot, etc... Walked across the shop to talk to my friend's dad and after about 10 minutes we were interupted by a rather loud smokey boom... Radiator hose popped off the water pump... I told myself not to reuse the original wire style clamp, but... Gonna replace it with a worm screw clamp, and try again. Don't think anything was really hurt, just the clamp wasn't tight enough. So, I'll try bleeding the brakes one of these days, then I should be able to bring her home...

Interesting. There were two rivets and one screw, so I just assumed someone stripped two screws. Once I get the water leaks fixed, or at least the big one (heater hose bypassed) I'll get it home, and clean up the carb. It seems to run good otherwise. I know it's been sitting a while... maybe a year. I think he'd go start it every great once in a while... I'll get some hose, and check prices on water pumps. It looks easy to change, so if they're not too expensive I may just replace it. I can't wait to get it home and start tinkering. Problem is I've got too many projects...

IT'S ALIVE! Well, almost... Fixed a really bad ground to the battery today (still needs some attention), filled the radiator and added seme gas... Got it running. Drove it back and forth a few feet then shut 'er down. Heater hose blew, and water pump is leaking... Going to bypass the heater, and see if I need a new gasket or pump... Also, seemed to be idling kinda high, and someone has reveted the choke housing, so it can't be adjusted. Probably needs some carb work, but it's going for now... I can actually say I got to drive the BRAT! Also, need a little air in one of the tires (which look pretty new, plus its been stored inside for that last several years)...

Well, I got my flange made, but forgot to ask what size thread for the exhaust to heads? I'm hoping its the same as the engine mounts, so I can just use the ones I bought temporarily... till I can get some studs... I got a new oil cap, and I'm hoping to bring this home tomorrow or Saturday. Will probably pull the carpet out, put down some POR15 on the floors, and rivet in some sheet metal to cover the larger holes, then spray undercoat on the floor... I'm also thinking about taking the doors off, since they're pretty rusted and banged up, and the passenger's window is busted... I'll post some pix when I get her home, but you guys have to promise not to laugh. Poor thing is in pretty rough shape... Thanks all!

Thanks a bunch! I didn't get my gaskets till today, so nothing is done yet. Going to make a flange on my lunch break tomorrow, and send it home with a friend. I hope I can get this installed and get the BRAT home this weekend...

Thanks for the help so far guys... But just curious if someone could tell me what diameter of pipe for the exhaust? I can't make it over to the BRAT for a couple days, but I've got a friend that's going to bend a piece for me, and I'm going to make a flange and weld this up. I just want to let him know what size pipe in case he doesn't have any... thanks!

Can I not just forget the spacers, and bolt the exhaust to the head like it appears someone has done before? Either way, I still need the pipe and flange. I guess I can just get a gasket as a pattern, and make my own...

Okay, correct me if I'm wrong here, but those are some kind of emissions pieces, right? It doesn't look like mine had those, and I would assume I don't need them. I just need the 2 bolt flange/pipe, to complete the passenger side, right?

Well, it looks like I'm okay on motor mounts, but I'd be interested to see what you have for exhaust. Any chance you could post or email pix and price? IIRC it's missing the oil filler cap, if you have one of those too. Thanks...

Finally got over to the BRAT. Here are some pix. Apparently I'm just needing a section of pipe with the flange on it, right? It appears that the driver's side only has two bolt holes on the flange, but 4 bolt holes in the head. Is this normal, and is this what the passenger side will look like? Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but the motor mount bolts are there... No one was home when I went over and took pix, so didn't get a chance to ask my friend any questions about it. I did look it over a little better this time, and it's rustier than I thought. If I had to guess I would say the the suspension points that I read about being the problem spots are okay, it's everything else that looks bad. I have another friend with a VW powered sandrail/buggy, and we've been discussing ditching the body and building a full tube frame for this. After looking it over today I think that may be the only option. I was really just wanting this around to kinda help haul brush, rock, etc... and maybe teach the wife to drive a standard (she kinda scared me when I let her try to drive my Buick)... I guess I still can till the body falls down around the wheels... 2 views of the driver's side, 1 of the passenger's side...

Thanks a bunch. I'll give it a try...

do you know the length and quantity of the bolts? I can get fasteners cheap, might as well take them with me.

I am very unfamiliar with boxers and Subarus. So, not really sure. I know he pulled the motor, and the time or two I've looked it over I didn't pay that much attention. It wasn't until I had left that he told me the parts were missing. I was just taking pix for a friend that was going to buy it. The friend backed out, and I decided I needed another vehicle sitting around... I'll try to go take a look. Figure out exactly what's missing. Maybe get some pix. thanks for the help so far, though.

Okay, so I posted this in the historic section since it's an '81, but since it has the EA81 I'm assuming I'll get a better response here. I just need to know what size motor mount bolts are used. I'm trying to buy an '81 BRAT from a friend. He pulled the motor to swap out a bunch of gaskets, and in the process lost the motor mount bolts and one of the exhaust manifolds (which I'm still looking for a replacement). It's in an old barn he uses for a shop. I could probably figure something out, but thought someone surely knows what size bolts I need... Please? and thank you!

Hey all, New guy here. I'm buying an '81 BRAT from a friend, but I need to know a few things. He pulled the engine a while back to change a bunch of gaskets, and in the process lost the motor mounts bolts and an exhaust manifold. I'm assuming I just have to dig through classifieds, JY's, ebay, craigslist, etc (As I've been doing) for the manifold, but could someone please tell me what size bolts I need for the motor mounts? Thanks!