tundrabrat

I don't know what type of weather you get down there but here is my advise for old subies in Alaska that spend their winters outside. Good undercoating is a good idea. If you don't have rust make sure you get up in the rear wheel well , behind the front wheels, under the front floors pans and outriggers REALLY well. I have a block heater in mine... it replaces one of the hex head plugs on the front of the engine block (left side if you're facing the car), very easy to access. Warm block=warm oil, which will cut down on wear and tear of internals... Plug in below 20. I have tires with studs... but that's for stopping, not going. I wouldn't mess with the Hitachi if you aren't experiencing issues... if you're having choke issues then a Weber is a good step up. Ingition... old plug wires, old cap and rotor can also leave you high and dry in cold/damp weather... check condition and replace if you suspect any issue. Finally, double check your coolant... if it is old or you don't know if it was mixed in proper ratios I would flush and replace. That's all I got... enjoy the new ride.

I ran snow tires with studs on my GL10 without issues and we had our longest snow season on record. These cars benefit from light weight and great clearance but they have a very simple 4WD system.

Quick update... Cranked it to get it oiled. Gas tank, exhaust, final wiring this week... hope to put a fork into her this weekend.

Putting back together the BRAT, installed the engine plugged the oil sending uint and temp switch cable into the wiring harness and cranked the engine (without the coil hooked up) to move oil and build pressure so I could do final adjustment on the hydro lifters. Cranked 3 times for 10 seconds each, gauge didn't move (sat at "0"). Looking for trouble shooting suggestions... try a new wire, am I missing a ground etc. Your help is appreciated.

That RX coupe is awesome... rockers/body look better than alot of us started with on our current rides!!! Where is that thing?

Got the rear shocks installed, I ended up re-tapping all the bolt holes for th rear shocks, also installed the new front struts. Note: if you go with the Gabriel strut you will need to grind the opening on the spring seat a little bit to fit right but they are adjustable (2 adjustment bolts) like the factory ones and seem to be good quality. Realized last night that the shaft on the transimission was smaller than my new clutch, turns out that my early '85 BRAT has an '84 transmission in it... fortunately I was able to find in locally on a Sunday Got the engine in as well, working on lines and hooking up the Weber, plan to turn the key this next weekend.

I'm the guy who built the engine Looks pretty straight forward. You're my hero... Thanks man

OK... I am planning to drop my freshly rebuilt engine (1985, Hydro Lifters) in this weekend. I know that I do not have to adjust the valves every 15k like the pre 85 engines BUT I need to know if I am supposed to give them an initial adjustment/clearance setting. If so... is it the same adjustment as the Non-Hydro Lifter motors? I can't find this info anywhere. Thanks for your help.

The stock 2wd/4wd transmission will not hold up under the power/torque for the WRX motor (for very long)... heck the gen 1 WRX transmissions even had trouble holding the power. That's why the swaps you see are are AWD. Good luck.

I orderd Gabriel front struts from www.Autoanything.com I paid $98.00 shipped. I wanted monroe to match my rears but it appears they have stopped making this model. If I like these shocks I am temped to order another set for down the road.

Sounds like you have an EA82... I haven't rebuilt one of those but I'd put money on a simple thing you missed. Do you have a manual you're working from? If not I would recommend picking one up they're cheap and the and the answers are in there.

Finally got the engine moved from my shop to the garage and buttoned up. Have a Weber and front struts ordered and enroute, picked up rear shocks locally... All go on this week along with wiring the third eye and my NOS fog lights and hope to have it completed this weekend or early next week... (I won't hold my breath)

I got ea81 parts i can spare... Let me know.

I bet there are folks on this board that live close enough to you and would be happy to build it for you... I know I would if it weren't for that pesky country between us.

Looks pretty clean... Enjoy!!!

The tires came with the BRAT.. I just re-did the wheels and painted the letters with a paint pen. When I re-do my other wheels I'll be buying new tires and will do the same to them

Rolled it out so I could spin it around in the garage, while she was out I went through all the boxes and found the last few things I had misplaced (trim and badges). Ordered the clutch and motor mounts so I plan to get the engine compartment put together this week. Note... I need to weld in a new exhaust hanger.

Wheels and tires completed...

I was never able to find any exact originals or reproductions, the closest thing I found was for the Loyal/GL10. I ended up making my own. I would suggest posting in the Parts Wanted and see if anyone with access to a good junk yard woudl be willing to cut panels of a parts car. Good Luck!!!

Depending on what tools you have to work with to form/bend the sheet metal, I would recommend buying some 18g from a metal fab shop. They can even do large cuts and/or bends for you. I was surprised how inexpensive sheets of 18g were and clean/straight material to begin with makes a world of difference in time frustration and the end product. Keep up the good work.

2 things... that thing is really cool slammed and your daughter is adorable. It's the best when you kids can share in your hobby... Enjoy!

How's the metal fab coming? Sounds like you're making good progress

Funny you should mention that... I have been offered to house it in the show room of the local Subaru Dealer for the winter. I think I'll be taking them up on it... then I can play come Spring.

What is the bolt size and thread pitch for jump seat, seatbelts (in the bed) of the '82-85 BRAT? I'm tired of guessing and coming up short... Thx

Here you go... I know you wanted more pics