mickytrus Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Yeah, This motor leaked like a pig...... starved of oil.most of its life.... I would run it a quart high.... (seemed to help with lash adjuster tap)..... I always kept oil in it while I had it. but, it just didn't get pumped around well.... I added engine oil stabilizer just to keep it from dripping out...... So anyway, just wondering if anyone has had gone through any experience with motors with lower end knock...... AND what was the life expectancy. Maybe even an elixir bandaid........ Basically, the car runs good.... now that it is all sealed up...(new gaskets) It is just that when under load, seems like the motor growls and vibrates...... And upon observation... I got to say, it looks like the(from the crank pully) the crank don't spin that true anymore...... I am gonna probably have to get a backup motor... ready.... but, I was wondering on some feedback/ideas/experiences... thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamCF Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 My old EA81 had about 200k on it when I bought the car. At near 300k I swapped in a different engine (still an EA81) I picked up for $50. Had a nice loud knock the whole time (once warmed up it quieted down a bit) Upon tearing it down I found a couple of the main bearings were just chunks laying in the bottom of the pan. Other than that it seemed to run pretty good. I used to run it at redline quite a bit at the dunes with that old knocker. I figure the only reason it never popped was it was an EA81. Main bearings?! The EA81 does not need no stinking main bearings!! Can't say how long yours will hold together. But that's my similar experience. I would get a hold of a replacement and get it prepped and in as soon as you can just to be on the safe side. I know it was a lot nicer prepping my spare while the car was still running. Less pressure so I felt I had time to go over the "new" engine pretty good. (I did miss something though, only after I put it in though I noticed a crack in the top of the block leaking coolant, that JBweld has held for two years now........ *knock on wood*) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickytrus Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 That is kind of what I am thinking now.... I think I will start with getting an engine stand.... I am thinking.... I have two spare motors.... laying around.... One had blowby... 285k and going strong. just pushed oil everywhere..... The other has 220K on it.... been in a coma for real long time.... How do costs run on stock rebuilds. When you do the work yourself...... Is it cost effective? I know on the educational side I would benefit.... I have not done honing of cylinders and ring and bearing replacement but, would consider it if there was some good vids... and instructionals... If anyone can send any links in this post.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I`m not sure EA81s need rod bearings either.LOL. Friend and I bought an 82 with a loud rod knock because we liked the Cyclops light and wanted to work on one of those "different" subarus. Disassembly revealed one of the rod bearings worn down as thin as a sheet of paper.Must have been 3/16" or more clearance! This motor still ran OK (loudly).Even showed good oil pressure.Hard to say how long it would have lasted though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickytrus Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 It was cold out this morning. The motor was not knocking till it warmed up... In first gear is the greatest demand, the engine is under load the most. I always experience a brutal vibration like a grating sound... growling....... just below 3 grand........ so I shift... (drive like a ancient person). This morning, the motor like I said was cold, pulled out right away...... She shifted and the grating noise was not there....... Anyway, I would like to think that I have a rod bearing problem... but, if I look at the crank pulley it is not spinning true anymore. This lends me to think that the main bearings have become worn..... Yeah, keep your experiences coming. Just good to know. Yeah, too bad I let this motor go... I'll have to baby it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 check that the pan is not bashed there is very little clerance between the oil pickup and the pan it gets pushed up and starves for oil but gets just enuff to stay alive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickytrus Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Ok. I'll take a look at the pan... I did reseal the pump when I did the regasket job... mickeymouse seal, o-ring and the impeller shaft seal. Do these pumps where out? The upper end is quiet now... so I am thinking the oil pressure is sufficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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