Seahag1978

I read a post I made before and saw a bad choice of words that I wrote. "I had enough of back yard mechanics here"... I meant back yard mechanics HERE... meaning ME... not you guys!! I have no clue what I'm doing but since reading your posts and advice, I did get in a new alternator.. and starter... it STARTS and runs!! Anyway, I feel soooo bad about my bad choice of words, I decided to post the letter I wrote to edrach about this: Hi Ed , <sigh> I hate to bug you yet again. I don't dare to post on USMB... they hate me there, and I don't know how to fix this.... they're all awesome guys who are smart and can give great advice. Anyway, I think it was a statement that I made where I was going to a garage because "I had enough back yard mechanics here"... what I meant was ME being the backyard mechanic HERE! Trust me, I AM NO backyard mechanic... NOT THEM... heck, they make something out of nothing, just "pieces parts"...I have a WHOLE Brat it I can't drive it more than 5 miles without something breaking ans won't pay someone to fix it... I never pay someone to do somethng I can't do myself. Just logic?! I respect ALL their opinions and try everything they say to try... damn they do this every day! Yeah... there was a comment about a "50 something money bags"... I know that was me they referred to... believe me, I get just as dirty and just as many scrapes... blood, sweat and tears as they do... I have never been a needlepoint type of gal.... yeah... I'm 50 and female and determined to get this Brat up and running right, along with the sweat. I don't know if you can help me make amends or can tell me how to... I will appreciate your advice. Thanks on that.... move on to the original problem. So... were back to square one... the new starter is in... starts... idle adjusted... CF straightened out (new wiring) engine sounds sweet, barely a skip...once in a while, about every 12-14 times it went through it's routine, it makes a poofy sound, and there's a slight poof backfire after idling for 10 or more minutes... suspect it's the exhaust leak? Please comment... on those. Anyway, it starts without pumping the gas... so we're better than back to where we were... we had to pump heck out of it to start (seems weird because nothing else, other than the front screw hidden behind the hoses was touched). Now, it's just THE NOISE. Just to refresh your memory, it sounds like a cross between a jake brake and clothespinning a baseball card to the spokes of your bike. Jake brake air.... card being sharp... the sound increases with speed and is silent while coasting. I have new rear axles coming tomorrow (supposedly) and they will be installed... not to worry, they are not another wasted parts change... the axle has a torn boot (taped up with electrical tape that's flapping off) it needs replacement anyway, hot Florida sun... 1400 mi. up the highway on a truck, who knowshow many miles on it... just better to do both. We checked the driveshaft... solid.... moves like HTKYSA book says. Differential is full of oil (was my main concern). Any clues? I have a new transmission in the bed... just in case.I am keeping the truck... will do whatever to get it right! Please advise. BTW Our second project is a 1950 F-O-R-D F-1... it's almost ready for primer! Yay! Custom all the way... interior is my job... got grey leather free from a handicap conversion.... no money bags.... just watchful for bargains... and a bit o'luck! Custom headliner... speakers in the hollow doors... way to go... we'll get it together....or not.... Foreign Mini-Truck vs Beefy-American-Truck... fun times! LMAO! Sorry I gabbed you to death.... needed it. Mary

Here is a website you can find some interesting stats about Subarus: http://www.cars101.com/oldsubaru.html My message was no where near as harsh as I would have liked... especially when their system wouldn't accept my VIN as valid. My local dealership ordered a gas tank for me (he said it could take a month to 6 weeks to get it in). That was ok because we had a lot of interior work to do while waiting. Well, it took Subaru ONE MONTH to tell him they were unavailable. After that, he refused to even look for any more parts because the car was too old and told me to look elsewhere.

E-mail message Here was the response I got along with my original rant: From: SOAMail@sun.subaru1.com Date: Tue, Sep 7, 2004, 12:53pm To: macazoo@verizon.net Subject: Re: Owners Story (E-mail #639610) Dear Ms. Courtney: Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site and for your continued interest in Subaru products! We appreciate you taking the time to contact us. We sincerely apologize for the difficulty you've encountered trying to locate parts for your 1978 Brat. It's not that we don't value the owners of our older vehicles. We are very proud of the fact that many older Subaru vehicles are still on the road. Our authorized Subaru dealers are the parts suppliers for Subaru products. Please contact the Parts Department at your local Subaru dealer to check on the cost and availability of the parts needed for your Subaru. We recommend that you only purchase parts specific to your model and model year. Should you experience difficulty at your local Subaru dealer, please feel free to contact us again with your vehicle identification number, the parts / part numbers needed, and the name of the Subaru dealer involved. We will do our best to assist you further. Thanks for the opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any future assistance, please feel free to contact us again. Best Wishes, Natalie Cox Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Dealer Services E-Contact Group ---------------------------------------------- YOUR ORIGINAL MAIL: I had a 1978 Subaru Brat until it rusted out sometime in the late 80's (my all-time favorite car). I also had a 1985 sedan and put a deposit on a 1995 (around there) Impreza (too small for our needs at the time) Anyway, I am having an awful time when I try to get parts for my newly acquired 1978 Subaru Brat. (Mostly being laughed at and ultimately told to go eleswhere, or to buy a new Subaru) I find this outrageous... why would I EVER buy a NEW Subaru for it's durability if I got treated this way getting parts for an old one? STOP bragging that the Baja is the NEW BRAT.... sorry guys.... doesn't come close. I am not the only one who is dissatisfied with older model parts procurement from your organization.... built to last... look at the mileage records... we need OEM parts at reasonable prices like the rebuilders charge.... you made your money... take the cores and be sure they're done right! Please give a reasonable explanation of why you abandoned your older vehicles.. Thanks, Mary Courtney This dip**** system wouldn't even accept my valid VIN Number says there are not enough digits!

How ironic... Friday night, I sent an email to Subaru corporate when 2 local dealerships refused to sell me parts for my '78 Brat. My letter was the result of Todd encouraging me to complain to the powers-that-be! I don't think we'll see too much, especially a reintroducton of the original Brat... (it has been deemed a product liability lawyer's nightmare) but at least they'll know we still exist and may get some cooperation for parts and service?! We can only hope. Go for it... band together... the squeaky wheels get the oil?

I replaced the alternator in my '78 Brat. It was putting out less than 12 and it was the cause of my dead battery and stalling while running lights at night. (I understand a weak alternator can cause problems with the fuel pump?) Well, I got 4 starts before the starter quit working... it is getting juice and clicks but won't roll over... did I kill it or is this just another "weird coincidence"? I'm so frustrated with ths truck it's about ready to head for eBay! Thanks! Mary

Try to keep it alive if you can. I'm going through the same thing with my '78 Brat and I'll stick to it. So far I have had shocks, struts, front axles, brake calipers and pads, and last night a front wheel bearing was replaced. The alternator is shot and it needs a MAJOR tune-up. The exhaust system is leaking. It looks great, it would have taken second prize at a show Tuesday night, but it's a mechanical mess and wasn't there to compete! A used transmission (69,000 mi.) will be installed next week along with a new clutch kit and most likely new rear axles while it's apart. I didn't pay a cheap price for the Brat either. I found a moonlighter with access to a lift and the proper TOOLS! He's fairly reasonable for labor charges. Look around, you may find someone like him in your area. Best of luck!

I was reading some old posts and am now very confused. I know there is a dipstick in the front which we checked and found to be low on oil so we added 90 wt. I am now reading that there is a second fill plug in the back differential? Could someone please explain this all to me? I just got another transmission, but before we replace it I would like some more information about the oil requirements. It's a '78 Brat with 4 speed manual transmission. Thanks!

I asked Paul... haven't heard back yet. What do you want for yours? I'll have to pay shipping wherever I get one I would think?!

now... I need a good rebuilt transmission... at least I know what the problem was! Any suggestions where I may find one? It's for a 1978 Subaru Brat. Thanks! Mary

Well, my tranny ate itself today... my headache is gone Least now I know what it is! Now the hunt is on for a tranny. Thanks for your help!!! Mary

Ahhh... there were only flat washers on the axle... It has been replaced prior to me owning it... I will tell the mechanic to look into the e-brake and the cone and curved washers. Thanks!

It fit in perfect and is working. Tim thinks they may have replaced the shaft and never drilled the hole... not uncommon these days... workmanship lately has a lot to be desired Next step is taking it to a garage... I'll have him double check the axle and find out what else he needs to fix this thing... enough back yard mechanics on this problem... I could replace parts forever. I have a headache! Got Tylenol? Around the size of a hockey puck?

Are they black (no cloth) and will they fit a '78 Brat? I know the framework is pretty definite. The floor pan has humps and bumps that it has to fit into. Thanks!

You aren't far from here... Tim got the "bug" from working on my BRAT and he's restoring something he knows about. F-O-R-D! Hehehe! We're heading down I-84 next Saturday to pick up a '50 Ford truck, we'll do an about face and head back that afternoon. How far off I-84 are you? Thanks!

Thanks! It is great looking... too bad I can't drive it to show it off! It was actually the axle nut from the old cv that looked weird... didn't match the other side. The new one matches, but the new cv doesn't have a hole for a cotter key?! I am soooo confused! Nope the noises can't be felt... they are just noises... pretty loud noises, they don't affect the driveablity either?! That's what's so frustrating... I didn't hear it when he drove it in reverse at about 10-15 mph. If it did something bad, like shake, shimmy or jerk we could probably isolate the origin... nothing... smooth normal driving.

The new CV axle is in... thanks to erdrach's awesome directions, it took less than an hour... Thanks Ed! Now its making a new noise... a heavy metallic clang, like something is going to the top of its apex and falling down. It's squealing on a left turn too?! Any thoughts on this? Arrrggghhh!

You can raise the seat with a block under the part where each bolt goes. Just drill a hole through the block, make the block a few inches wider and longer forward, and you can add another bolt to the front end. You'll obviously need to use longer carriage bolts. A couple of inches is ok... 4"? not sure of the stability in an accident? We did 2" that in a Chevy S-10 for a short driver.

I second that... looking for GOOD interior seats for a '78 Brat. Black, if they exist... and a sound dash (any color), a couple of cracks are ok (mine was split every few inches, the speaker holes... craters! whoa! Thanks! Mary

Actually, no... never saw those episodes... just made it up years ago for chat room purposes... but I have seen pictures of her since. Not very pleasant, huh?! Who knew?! I also had the moniker Crotchety Joan!

The second link worked fine, try it.

I have your sympathy ... not sure... but worth a look see... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7917008711&category=38661

Hi Ed, I have been waiting for you to post. Welcome home! I'm new to the group, my name is Mary. I see many posts by you in the archives, particularly the axle replacement, which is an immediate need for me. I am determined to make a car show this coming Wednesday night. We will attempt one axle replacement (right) this weekend?! You gonna be around? <shudder> The Chilton's manual is a might vague. We printed out your instructions and find them more detailed and more do-able. I found someone that will work on it, but Tim <Mopar man> is determined to get it done himself?! <again,see threads>. He just bought a 1972 Barracuda to restore. Anyway, I owned a 1978 Brat (it can be seen at yahoo groups under files, seahag) for 11 years back when they were new... the body and all mechanical parts (including an $880. exhaust, 3rd one under warranty from Speedy) were pristine when I junked it... the frame was too far gone to be saved I was devastated to lose it... I never knew about under-carriage washes! I still miss it. Now, I have another one... it needs work (you can read my threads). Well anyway, I digress... the yard owners around here crushed them as soon as they came in. Repair garages won't touch them here... the dealership laughs when you need parts... and I did tell the j-ck--s that he should do the math... 1978 Subaru Brat owner + Subaru parts seller = $$$$ Didn't have a clue or a care. Anyway, I copped a plea with General Disorder for boneyard parts. Now I will cop the same plea with you on behalf of myself and moosens, a fellow "rust-zoner". We need parts! Luckily, I just scored a rebuilt front axle on eBay, I ordered 2 from my local parts store and one came in mis-boxed... they didn't have a replacement, the charge was $101. with $45. for the core return (5% sales tax was on the $101.) PER axle... the one on eBay... $24.95 no core, no tax... he's a VW dealership with some Subie parts he's liquidating. I read that you dislike rebuilts but I couldn't find new. Unfortunately, http://www.cvaxles.com is no longer there. So Ed, after all that whining and begging... will you consider finding parts for us too? We will pay for your time spent. Whew! Mary

He's right... please, please, pretty please... may I contact you for parts needs as they arise? Heck, a 30 pack makes more sense to me! Seriously... for starters I need the plate that says BRAT that fits in the little bump-in on the lower right tailgate, a sound dashboard (HA!), front seatbelts, untorn interior seats in black... for a 1978 Brat. All kidding aside... let me know what you can do. Thanks! Mary

Whew! That's the one we kept! I did ask him to hang n to the other one til we were sure. Now to find the little plate.

I saw what it went for on eBay and judging from some of the prices I have seen, it went WAY too low... trouble with reserves on eBay is, once they find it, they buyers nickel and dime it to death and it rarely gets much over it. Now Ed said he sold it for $2,500. plus $595 shipping. The auction I saw was for $2,800.? Rolex13 (or something) won it. Did that one fall through? Just curious. Anyway, when I saw the ad, Lance wanted $4,900. Ok... if it's all resored... ha! after talking about its faults, I got him to $3,900. (Looking at old archives, I have since seen another ad where he had it listed for $3,900. anyway, so no bargain there, unless he placed it after he realized he had the price too high). His ad was quite deceitful in the description. As I said, it all came to truth after talking. He revealed everything right down to the tiny crack in the tail lense. With the range of prices for a rusted-out hulk at $49.95 to an immaculate 2nd gen specimen at $6,100. I thought the price was pretty middle of the road, especially since they were a favorite item on the buffet table of the Salt Gods here in Mass. and impossible to find. Had the interior been better, I would have gladly paid the $4,900 or much more for a fully restored 1978. Again, when we get to a certain point in life...