captainkettel

I use a Proto torque wrench that is in good working order. I also used the specs that are listed in my 1978 Fuji Industries Dealer Subaru repair manual. Heli-coil dosen't make a repair kit for these 11mm studs! 11mm is sort of and odd ball size. The best I could find is the more common 12mm stud. Maybe I'll see if the Subaru dealer has any ideas...Thanks...

Anyone ever have head bolts strip out on their EA71 motor? I have 4 out of 9 on one head in the block that won't hold or allow me to torque down. Have tried to re-tighten head bolt studs before bolting head down but still no luck. Now I'm switching over my motor to another block. The studs start to pull out when torquing down. Tapped one out on the other side from 11mm to 12mm and used a allen head bolt. But that cost $10 just for the bolt. Anyone have any ideas on how to remedy this problem? Never had a problem like this before. Thanks...Dennis...

Pulled the governor off the transmission to clean valve and found the nylon gear was missing. The governor shaft still had the pin with a small piece of nylon stem still inside but the gear was completely gone. Checked with the dealer and the gear and shaft NOW are made of metal. Checked inside opening and used a probe tool, but no gear! Either the gear was ground up or someone else removed it! Maybe that's why I got the car for FREE! The kid working on it before me could never get it running or shifting right. Do you that might be why "D" would never engage? Got a new gear coming tomorrow. Any tricks I need to know about installation? Thanks...

Does anyone know whether a 1980 GL and a early 84 automatic transmission will work in a swap? The tranny in my 1980 GL wagon is missing high (D) gear. Will a transmission from a 1984 automatic interchange without changing a bunch of things? Looks to be the same...

Still looking for the engine skid plate. Any chance on one still on that 4X4 Brat? Need it for my 1978 4X4 wagon. Let me know...Thanks...

Yep, that was me! I'm in Alaska right now going to check up on one of the flock! Have a 1979 wagon I drove up here in 1995! Now I have a 1998 Outback, 2 1979 wagons, one a 4X4 up here and now a 5 speed FW drive and the 1978 4X4 wagon I'm working on at home. Going to part out the wagon I just bought so after I return from my vacation I'll have some needed parts available for you and for me...captainkettel...

I've got three EA71 motors and they each have a different pin configuration for the engine harness. Does anyone know how to read the pins? I was going to put a different engine my car and don't know if the harness will work? I suppose if I can remove the intake and disty and can just swap the correct harness for the car. Anyone have any help for me? I also have one engine with a bell housing cover unlike any I have ever seen. There is no hump in the top for the starter to fit into. Maybe this is a 1977 EA71 or 1980. Mine in my car is a 1978 and I know the other is a 79'. Does the automatic tranny cars used the same bell housing cover?

Last gasket I changed I pull the motor out. It took less than 45 minutes and I wasn't rushing. I was just seeing if anybody else had tried...Dennis...

Anyone ever changed a head gasket WITHOUT removing the motor? There doesn't seem to be enough clearence to remove the head. Can you just unbolt the motor mounts and jack up the motor enough to remove the head? Getting ready to change out one myself so I'm interested in how you would do it...Thanks...

Have you tried to adjust the transmission? On the drivers side near the back of the transmission there is a lock nut (17mm) and small square stud that is used to adjust the transmission for high gear. You loosen the lock nut and turn the square head in a quarter turn at a time. Too much and you will create wear on the band. That's what your doing is adjusting the band. You can find how to do this in a Subaru factory manual. Haynes said to take it to the dealer, ya right! Find a factory manual and check it out. Might help before you go and change out that tranny...Good luck...

Thanks for the tip! The marketplace skid plate already HAS been SOLD! So I'm still looking...

Would like to find a engine skid plate for my 1978 4X4 wagon, EA71 motor. Any luck? Not sure if a Brat skid plate will work? Price and location...Thanks...

Has anyone ever rebuilt the A/T in a 1980 wagon? Acquired this great deal (free) 1980 GL wagon with a automatic transmission. Only problem is it only works in L & 2. Put her into drive and it moves till it shifts up to drive and then nothing. Slips badly! Checked the fluid level and it's OK. Might need new bands. Any help or suggestions out there? Really to nice a car to crunch because of the tranny problem...Thanks...

This motor is in my 1978 4X4 wagon. A EA71 1600. Bought the car cheap and replaced the head gasket but failed to check to see if the head was warped before I re-installed it (dumb move on my part). So now I think I'm just going to replace the head! Good thing I have a half dozen or so. Hope this will solve my problem. These EA71 motors are supposed to be bullet proof!

If you want more details on the early 4X4 which WAS 1975, go to the homepage on this site and look at the Brochures 68-79. There are pictures and details listed. Nice resources! Look under 68-79. Also lists newer years and models with different listings...

Motor got HOT! Water in the Oil! Cracked head? Cracked Block or just a blown head gasket? No steam out the tailpipe, just pressure in the radiator and steam blowby from the valve cover to the carb. What do you think?...

I am thinking of swapping a EA71 motor to an 1980 EA81 motor in my 1978 4X4 wagon. I have a question or two if anyone can help. I located a 1979-80 brat at the JY and can get the crossmember if I need it? Will the crossmember bolt right into my wagon? The EA81 is a automatic (they suck) will the flywheel off my EA71 work with the EA81 motor? I want to keep my original s/r 4speed transmission. Anyone ever done a swap like this? Any other considerations I need to think of? Thanks...

Anybody ever see a replacement carpet listed for a 1978 4X4 wagon? Been checking all the vintage restoration places but...no luck...! But I probably have missed a few shops so maybe you guys can help. Any ideas? Thanks...

Just replaced the blown head gasket on my 1978 wagon. After the inital start up I have got either exhaust or some sort of vapor coming out coming out of the top of the carb! This happens after the motor is just shut down. Nothing abnormal coming out of the exhaust pipe while running. I removed both valve cover breather tubes and the hose going to air tube valve. Still have A LOT of vaper coming out of the carb. Some coming out of the valve covers. Anyone have any ideas? Haven't adjusted the valves yet, but not sure what to start with. Does the new head gasket have to seat? Did the three stage torque down. Any help?...Thanks...

Got a 1980 (11/79) GL wagon for FREE! The wagon is 2WD and has the famous automatic transmission. This has the EA81 motor. How much more HP is there in the EA81 from the EA71 motor? Thinking of putting the 1800 in my 78' 4X4 wagon. Will she bolt right in? Body on the 80 wagon is straight and has no rust to speak of. Can't decide if the engine swap would be worth it. Any ideas?...Thanks...

Hey, thanks! Found the post and I am going to try and produce a socket that will work. Also found where another repair manual lists a spacer set-up for the rocker assembly. Have you heard of that procedure? Thanks for the tips.

Does anyone know if there is a trick or specical tool to torque the front,center, headbolt nut on a EA71 head, on the driverside? In the tightening sequence this is listed as # 8 in a Haynes repair manual. The rocker arm assembly is in the way of my socket. Any help would be great...Thanks...

Just picked up a 1978 4X4 DL wagon. Car is real straight. Use to be gold but has been repainted green. The only thing wrong is it's been sittin' since 1997 and it has a bad head gasket. Checked out the electrical and everything works! Even the rear wiper. The interior needs some real working over, but I think she's going to be a runner. This is my first 1978. I have had 9 1979's and still have a lot of parts and 1 still in Alaska. Can wait to get this one up and running again. This is also my first wagon with quad headlights. If I get stuck on working with this one I know where to look for help...right here! Thanks...

Thanks for the welcome. I'm a native of Sequim! You know the sunshine belt. Funny about that cause it's raining liquid sunshine right now! I have a ton of 1979 subaru 4X4 wagon parts, if anyones looking. Thanks...

Just wanted to say hello to all the fellow Subaru owners out there. I presently own just two. I have a trusty 1979 4x4 wagon that I drove to Alaska about ten years ago at my house up there and also a 1998 Outback that I have at my home in Washington State. Over the course of my Subaru life I have had nine 1979 4x4 wagons, the first of which I purchased in new in 79'. I really like that style of car. Today my main ride is 1998 Outback. Hope to ask some questions and get some advice. Thanks