Seahag1978

Does anyone know where I can find a VIN decoder for my '78 Brat? They all require 17 digits and mine contains only 10... I saw one online months ago, but can't find it again. Thanks! Mary

Connie, I know your frustration, my Brat runs about 5-10 miles between breakdowns... try the vocational schools in your area... they will take cars in and do the repairs for parts costs only, no labor... and you can supply the rebuilt or used parts if you want... they may take a bit of time, but it's worth a shot and the savings is unbelievable... an appointment is usually customary so it fits the curriculum being taught at the time... tend to the easy, more immediate tasks on your own and let them take on the tougher jobs... so give a call to schedule it before it's a real emergency. Good luck! Mary P.S. They like to take cars that aren't the "run-of-the-mill Taurus".

Very nice!! Congratulations!

Thanks Ed... I saw it while scrolling through and my first thought was that Tim eBayed it! You know how much he "adores" it! (actually... he would... if it were in someone else's yard) <giggle>

Bold blue... like that "knock-your-eye-out blue" they used on Mustangs a few years back. Thanks Russ, the badge'll be fine, I haven't installed it yet... still need the right Brat badge, rain guard and antenna then the exterior will be done (I may change out the tires for white lettered nubby ones). The interior needs a black dash and black all-vinyl seats (I'm trying for original).

not for sale though... Ed Dahl used some older pictures as a model for his decals. They do look awesome... well worth his price too... a sign shop will charge much more to recreate them. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7926363827&category=50447

My screaming yellow and red '78 Brat is sitting at the local vocational school getting a new tranny installed... the majority of the automotive students think it's "pimpin" ... then they hear the year it was built... knocks them flat out! They've never even seen one around here, it's a real rarity!

http://www.classicgarage.com sells struts for the 78 Brat, they are a bit pricey, but available. I also see them on eBay occasionally.

The 9th would be fine for us. This coming Saturday I have to sling hot dogs for the local historical society's craft fair... I was volunteered (Shanghai'ed is more like it) by a friend. Let me know how it works out for you.

Not yet. Paul's pretty tied up I think. I would like to get it done in the next couple of weeks... maybe get some driving time before she gets buttoned up for winter.... I've only driven it 109 miles since I got it in May I get roughly 5-10 miles between breakdowns... not so good huh?

He's right on there... they definitely have a distinct odor that's not present in modern cars... but a heavy "fresh" gas smell normally only occurs after refueling when the tank belches up it's air bubble, it goes away when the gas/air equalize... on sunny, hot, or humid days there may be a more noticeable gasoline odor... we found 3 vents on the tank, so I imagine it will purge fumes more than most cars. Mary

There's another small vent tube that you can't see. It's located on the TOP FRONT of the gas tank, there's a plastic tube that clamps on the stem on the tank, snakes under the body and clamps to the inside of the right wheel well where it vents out. We found it after taking the tank out to repair it. When my tank was full, the gas expanded in the heat and dripped out the stem and traveled to the bottom of the tank making it look like a hole in the tank. If his tank isn't full, it will just vent fumes under the rear half of the car if the tube is off or broken. You can "feel" around for it and check if the tubing is present and sound... the installer may not have known to add the vent line back in. Good luck!

Haynes and HTKYSA are way better than Chilton. I cross between Haynes and HYKYSA, what one leaves out the other fills in. I rarely use the Chilton. I saw several copies of HTKYSA at http://www.half.com and http://www.abebooks.com 3 weeks ago... must have been snagged up already... keep checking they turn up quite often... just use Subaru for the search word. There are many other used books sites... type a search for used books. Good luck!

C'mon up! The more the merrier! Southwest has bargain fares... hey, you could trade places with Skip.. he hates the cold! He's got a great set up there! I'd love to have his place and all that space! Yikes!

That would be awesome... just give me some food preferences! LOL! I'm in Salem, about 17 miles north of Boston, and the city is all decked out this time of year... (Halloween starts in September). There is plenty to do locally, the haunted tours and trolley are fun. There's a "T" (commuter rail) from the center of Salem directly into Boston. The Aquarium is a great place to bring kids, and the Museum of Science is another winner. Figure out which weekend may be good and we can work it all out! Mary

Try http://www.half.com and http://www.amazon.com The search is a bit fussy so try to get the exact name or author of the book. The mind set of the sellers on these sites is that it's a run-of-the-mill used manual that came in a parcel of books they got and not some "rare" book, like they think on eBay (HTKYSA went for over $45. on eBay, I got it on http://www.half.com for $5.00).. And the best part... no bidding! It's all "buy it now". Look at the list for condition, seller's feedback and then just buy it. Media mail shipping too... no inflated shipping costs. Good luck! Mary

We replaced the following parts: front axles (both boots ripped, but one completely off the outboard side) rear axle (taped with electrical tape) wheel bearings (right, completely shot, two whole, but badly scored, bearings were all that were left, they totally blew apart after driving 1 mile) Brake calipers, (we think a driver's side brake caliper caused the problem, it would free up and then freeze unexpectedly) Anyway,from all the input I've gotten, (Skip confirmed) the ring and pinion is shot. I have a new clutch kit and used tranny (69,000 mi.) to install. The shops here want $65.+ an hour, based on 7.5+ hours and I need to leave the truck in unattended lots overnight. I know you guys change trannies like underwear... does anyone have any tricks or methods (other than Haynes, Chilton or HTKYSA) that saves your back and arms while doing it on the ground?? We'll attempt it, if it looks feasible... remember we're "old"! Better yet... anyone in the Northeast up for a Tranny Party? They have them in the NW... anyone game? It would be a nice "Meet and Greet" and I'm a great cook! If not, anyone willing to change it here in Salem... not for free... let me know your price. I appreciate all your patience... this should be the last major problem... I'll post the electric fan issue when I can actually drive the Brat long enough to get the engine hot... by then I'll probably be dead. Thanks! Mary

I'm not sure if I was very clear in my earlier reply... I do have a switch installed on the dash to operate the fan manually... someone must have gotten frustrated and installed it instead of tracking down the problem. My temperature guage doesn't move to warn me of overheating. I just know I'll forget to turn the fan on and fry my engine... yikes!

My 78 Brat has this switch installed, and my temperature guage doesn't move...it's one thing I started to deal with... but everything else fell apart, and this problem slipped down the list... All this information is great and will be needed, once the major problems are fixed and I can actually drive long enough to get the engine hot?! Thanks!

Got it Skip! It's not "cheesy"... very clear... good job! Thought it might be wise to do this before setting the "new" tranny... it's fairly tight now, but as they say, an ounce of prevention? I haven't had much luck finding the bushing and this fix sounds more permanent. I pretty much have to evacuate my passenger to catch reverse on the one I have now! Yikes!

Hi Skip, Thanks for the fix on my alternator/VR problem! Could you possibly email that "cheesy" drawing of yours to me? It didn't show up on my system, just a square appeared. I would really hate to rely on my own imagination of where and how it should go?! Thanks! Mary

From personal experience, I found your theory to be fact I have an external VR on my '78, I found the VR to be good. Changing the alternator cured mine. Starts without touching the gas, and stays running... one problem solved.

We have a large car show and auction held by The Old Car Club, at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, every fall... all types of cars... mostly American... mostly pre-40's which are closed categories. Well, they also have several Open categories for judging non-memebers cars/trucks... I was planning to enter the 78 Brat.... unfortunately... the car still has THE NOISE... the body was ready, engine clean... but... I missed showing the Brat this weekend... I did go to the show, both days, without my Brat ... looked at the competition... NOT TO WORRY, we'll make those judges sit up and take some notice next year.... Jags, Alphas... Beetles... get over yourselves! There will be a NEW kid to judge! After all, for the selling price of Jags and Alphas, they were EXPECTED to LAST! Well, Beetles are just Beetles In fact I have the choice of the truck division... THAT'S another story... basic red FORD, wood bed... nada there... seen one... seen 'em all. Hands down in that category! Now, I need your help to do this... I need a sound, uncracked, black dash, (or decent core dash, for restoration) for a '78 Brat... and some black seat belts... I am re-doing the seats in black leather this winter (I have some experience in upholstery) so, it WILL win... everything else is great! And those cars couldn't hold a candle! Thanks again for your encouragement!!!!

Thanks... for the encouragement... I sure appreciate all your advice and take everything you say seriously... it's my own confidence that is lacking... Thanks to you all, WE DO HAVE IT RUNNING NOW and it puuuurrrrs... (total cost $51.00, alternator, starter and new wiring, the independent parts seller, who is not a "Subaru parts seller who refused to sell me parts" feels bad and gives me the garage discount! He wants to see me actually pull up to buy oil and filter only!) Anyway, no more stalling or sputtering... starts without even touching the gas pedall!!!!! (Slight backfire... poof... it's the exhaust leak). It's just the other noise that is worrisome... axles will go in this week... and new rear bearings.... the Last resort is the tranny sitting in the bed of it. Thanks to everyone!!

THANKS ED!!!! No way this will go out... we spoke to a j/y owner in Vancouver, WA about parts for the 50 F-O-R-D who said Brats are the first to get crushed?! Yikes! I just wanted to clear the record if it's possible... c'mon guys... I'm like your grandma