Crazyeights

It looks like it is probably even stronger than it originally was. Nice Job!

You probably are having a hard time finding a "how to" for this because there really isn't anything more to it than a standard trans swap. Find an EA82 D/R 5 speed and just swap it in place of the trans you have. You will want the shifters, surrounding plastic, etc from the donor car. Pretty much everything else, clutch, clutch cable, axles, speedometer cable, driveline, etc all bolts right up. If you have a 3.7 ratio trans in the car now as in EA82T or some other oddities then there may be other steps. The rear end ratio in the car MUST match the trans you are swapping in. It's pretty easy.

In the end it's totally up to you. How is the rust and structural condition of both shells, are they safe? Do the windshields or cowl areas leak on either? This might make me scrap one above anything else. I would be inclined to take whatever you need to make one nice body and keep the SPFI EA82 in it with the usual re-seal timing belt, maintenance done (perhaps even head gaskets). The EA82T is not going to be as trouble free as a daily driver as the SPFI EA82 and neither car will ever be fast. Enjoy them for what they are. Perhaps EJ swap the ratty one and build a mud monster? LOTS of ideas...

I have less than ZERO time to help, however you are local. PM me. I have a complete running stripped SPFI harness pulled out and ready to go. I am keeping it, but you may borrow it to pattern yours after. I am not currently using it. I work at a shop in Lynnwood. I put about 10,000 miles on it and it had no issues.

Is the coolant temp sensor connected and working properly? Is the valve timing correct?

Non synth works best IMO on these old trans.

I work at a shop in Snohomish county. I'll start the north end BOLO. Let me know if it isn't found by Monday. I can start a flyer at some of the north end parts places and shops.

Not much base circle left on the cam lobe either. Nice stuff though, rare indeed!

Peace to you my friend. You have finally won your battle against a tired and broken body. All of your life's projects, family, cars, love, friends, generosity, peace, want and need to help others, will forever live on in the lives and memories of the people you have touched. Bless you my friend, you are finally at peace. See you again someday... -Jeff

Changing the fluid may help, as will adding 1 quart per service of Rislone engine oil additive to the trans. In my experince regular high grade 75w-90 NON synth will work best. In the end you will probably want to search the many very popular "5 speed swap" threads on here. That alone will make a new car out of it IHO.

Good luck on the Jersey trip!

If you haven't located the ECU by now in normal places then perhaps try in the trunk by the location of the rear speakers up under the rear speaker deck.

At work I have rolled the engine - trans assembly to the location point. Next just lower the car front end down on the engine/trans/front/rear crossmembers and bolt it up. I'm a one man shop so I must constantly devise ways to do things without help. If you don't have a hoist, you can level and set the compete engine/trans assembly and use the engine hoist to lower the car down on to it. Have to see it I guess. Good Luck

Your Wagon looks like the "touring edition" with the bumped up roof too. Nice car, thank you for the pictures and the back-story.

Not just any one but that specific circuit is almost certainly your problem. Please check "the exact wire mentioned" and report back. Also maintain good battery cables and condition of course.

The problem is most likely the large short wire that goes from the positive battery cable to the fuse link box on the fender well. This short FAT black wire with old tape on it runs THE ENTIRE CAR. By now is has an old worn out and loose spade connection on the end. Simply clean it up and tighten it, problem solved. Myself - I updated this to a better solution after the EJ swap. Good luck and hope it helps. -Jeff

What a score! Congrats

The EA81 style pitch stopper bracket works great with Scott's EJ adapter also.

HF pnuematic cut off saw. I paid less than $10.00 for this thing 5 years ago. Commercial punishment all the time and it still works Better than some of my $ stuff. This makes it hard to justify spending money on expensive name brand air tools any more. You could buy 10 of these things for $100.00

Scott, your adapter has been working for me like that for years. Thanks... Jeff

Sweet! and right in my back yard too. I'll have to check them out next time I need an exhaust fab. Lots of places are shying away from the custom stuff these days.

First, welcome you are at the right place. Second we are all pretty much HUGE Brat fans here. Almost anything that you can still sit in without falling through to the ground is worth at least something. It sounds like you did fine for the price. First IMO someone needs to help you make sure it is SAFE to drive on the road due to the rust. Good Luck!

Thank you again for keeping up on this thread. I probably wouldn't have bought the '92 Loyale I am fixing up now if I hadn't been following this. I can't wait to see more updates. At least it looks like you have good weather to work in finally. I really need to buy a welder and get going. Is yours flux core or do you use gas? What would you recommend for a machine that is well suited for this type of work?

Great fix. A few years ago I would have handed you a couple. I used to have a bucket full.