O.C.D.

SOA - 733146090

Finally got some time to work on the Squirrel. Finished buttoning up the transmission. SO, I am getting really close to dropping the combo back in. All new seals and gaskets all around. Tore the starter apart as well. Modified shift linkage to use standard 5/16 hardware as well. When I got the Brat there were no reverse lights as the switch leads were sheered off. So I rewired both the reverse and 4WD switches. New shifter bushings installed as well. The gear shifter was so worn it lost the button on top. But I could still put the bushing on. New tie rod dust covers to seal it up as the others were disintegrated. And this is what the cups looked like. Dry as a bone. Cleaned up the 4WD shifter bracket as well.

Dang, that license plate just ruins the front end. Think you could get away without running it? I am sure you have laws but?

NO judgement here as I have the same thing. I never bought the gas for the MIG either so I only do arc. But, in the end if you get the penetration you have a weld, lol. The beauty of it is if you can't get a great weld you can add more and then grind. I'd say I am about 60% on good welds with the arc. Every now and then I get an almost perfect weld and just think how much better it could be with MIG.

My choice was easy - no front bumper and jacked rear. Bye-bye bumpers, lol.

I'd use VHT crank case paint - it is flat black and retains/prohibits heat transmission. Granted your FMIC is out in the air but it would prevent heat soak. Had great results with this stuff and it is durable as hell.

Yup the emissions crap you capped off. What are they and where to buy? For the choke is it just wired to a hot source? That is what I can surmise from research. I just ordered my carb and adapter for $259 shipped so I am stoked to throw it on after all the rebuild fun I have been doing. As you know I am more than competent with this stuff I just don't know what to keep (EGR as an example) and what to cap?

Stained glass paint for the highs? And for the Weber I cannot see how you did the choke cable? What is it connected to? My Brat has no choke, so... Also, that pic with the 4 standoffs, what are we looking at? What size standoffs? Thanks.

Help me find an EJ25 swap in CO and we can talk, lol. I just rebuilt my engine and trans (EA71).

I have been looking at how to do this as well as my exhaust is trash. I was thinking about using the stock y-pipe and having a custom rear exit dual exhaust done by a shop. Waiting for response.

Damn nice find!!! You better appreciate that thing cause that condition is fantastic for what you have.

No bumper - but that depends on what you are trying to do. Resto or resto-mod?

Hey Owain! If there is a plate that is backing that rubber bumpstop then that might be what is seized to the support? See if that is the case. Use penetrating oil (NOT WD40!) like crazy and re-oil it a couple of times a day. See if you can get that backing plate to separate and then torch the support to heat up that area, not the bumpstop screw/plate though. Hope that helps. Or, get a chisel in there and flare up that hex plate and then weld on a piece of metal to get some leverage. Should come off. All else fails you can get an angle grinder and cut the screw/plate off then drill out the screw. Then find a nut that fits the new bumpstop on the back and put a couple washers in there. Should be good as new. And..... BEAUTIFUL BRAT (MV)! Man I wish I lived over there to snag some more of your parts.

Just so I understand, you had a 4-lug that was 4x140, right? You then took the rotors and drums off of another 4x140 Subaru and then had them machined to accept a different 4-lug pattern? Is that right? If so, what is your new lug pattern?

Oh and I finally got my parts coming from SOA this Friday. Time for the trans to be finished and mated up!!!

Sentimentality prevents me from new projects. Well, maybe I should say my Wife does if I keep them, lol.

Yup, probably. I never keep what I build. I like to move on to other projects.. Basically I eat all the costs and time for the fun of it. My last motorcycle, my last Jeep, etc. they all go forward to new owners.

Not much to update as I am waiting forever for parts from SOA. I did get the trans re-sealed and about to be completed. Can't do much without the magical nut that was such a pain to get off. So I am left with some other options. While I wait though can anyone tell me the correct gear oil and correct amount of oil for this trans? I have found that 75-90 is probably the right oil but I cannot find the amount needed. And silly question but where do I fill it? Do I funnel through the dipstick or? Once rebuilt I will mate her up to the engine and drop her in. Some more body work and then she is going up for sale, lol. Time for a new project me thinks.

Wow, thanks Sancofw!! I can now see that I need to build a few of those connecting rods. I am missing like 3 of them. I will have to go off of your pics so don't take them down, lol. THank you for taking the time to post those and link me to them!

LOL. Damn thing was a brute!

Well Ivan, I had to resort to the Dremel technique,.....and it worked!!!

Well I finally got some time to try that silly nut again. Frankly I am shocked at how hard it was to get off. 1/2" impact at 150 PSI didn't touch it!!! So I listened to Ivan's idea on using the Dremel and low and behold I got it off. Damn thing popped as it gave too?! Must have been some serious tension on it. Anyhow. The gear was free and once removed all went smoothly And here is the carnage count. Luckily I ordered a new nut and washer already. 4wd transition housing clean as a whistle. And what I needed to get too the whole time to split the case. And finally!!!!!! And after countless hours of cleaning and fixing seals I found the reason for all of the leaking on the Squirrel. Believe it or not, the trans output seal was the only thing I should have needed to change on this entire build and it would not have leaked anymore. Oh well. Whoever cracked this case before didn't replace the seal?! I can tell this is original based on dry rot. Picture do it no justice - the seal literally crumbled in my hands. So I thoroughly cleaned the inside of the housing and did the output seals as well. Easier than on the car and no messing with proper shimming. So for all of this work I am on the downward slope of the project (drive-train wise). Gonna seal her up tonight and then clean the undercarriage a bit.

I was graciously given a copy of the parts catalog. Been VERY helpful to say the least.

Nice job on the paint. I have been toying with doing this to my '05 Legacy but am not sure as of yet. Few questions: 1. What paint brand? 2. Other than filling issues what did you do to prepare the whole car? 3. HVLP I assume on a home compressor? 4. Anything worth noting as far as looking out for? 5. Do you have any resources you used for the process? Thanks.

In this day and age I never would have thought about the library, odd. I just might look into that if I can't snag an FSM. I have been scouring the web for free downloads with no luck.