LouKoff Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 After about a year of searching for a good Brat for a project I stumbled upon a 1979 Brat on craigslist in Wyoming for $100, a deal too good to pass on. I convinced my uncle in law to make the three hour journey to go pick it up for me and drop it off at my grandpas property in Montana, which is where it currently sits until early May when I have a trip planned to go pick it up. The previous owner had intentions of rebuilding the EA71 and had the heads disassembled and a few other things torn down as well. A few weeks later I saw an ad for a 1983 Brat that was so rusty that the rear end was about to separate from the unibody. The car looks very deceiving but it has almost no drivers side floor, rocker panels and the back half of the bed had already been replaced with a patch panel. The Brat came with the rear jump seats, headrests, seat belts, and even the bags that cover the seat belts. The car came with a lot of other miscellaneous parts as the guy I bought it from has supposedly owned like 10 different Brats and this was the last one he had. My plan is to swap the EA81 with a Dual Carb set up I picked up into the '79 along with the 4 speed D/R for now until I can find a 5 speed D/R to swap into it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooner Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 This is the one from Worland I think? Did you ever get a title? I thought I remember in the ad saying it didn't have a title? Either way welcome to the Brat club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Yep, this is the Brat from Worland. The ad was strange advertising it as strictly for parts only(this could be because it was not assembled when for sale)but it did come with a clean title and everything checked out. I went out to see it over Thanksgiving break and it seems to be pretty solid and for the most part complete other than a few odds and ends mostly engine stuff that I don't need with the swap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 (edited) I got the engine pulled from the 1983 Brat and began to start the tear down. My plan for the rebuild right now is EA71 pistons, Decked Head (0.02"?), 3 angle valve grind, and some mild porting and polishing. Here are some picture of the '83 On the trailer taking it home Brat 2 on trailer by Loukoffman, on Flickr Got it running before pulling the engine EA81 Running by Loukoffman, on Flickr Engine Pulled Pulling EA81 by Loukoffman, on Flickr Snapped a bolt while taking of the Intake Intake Bolt by Loukoffman, on Flickr I'm on break this week so hopefully I can get the intake bolt out and get the rest of the engine torn down so I can be on my way to getting my engine ready to go when I pick up the '79 from my Grandpa's. Edited March 29, 2015 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) Because the rear body panels on the 1983 Brat are in decent shape I decided I would try to make a trailer out of it down the line. I decided I would try to tackle some of the spots that were still salvageable from the rust because I don't have much experience with bodywork and I anticipate having to do a fair amount on the '79 I thought it would be good practice. I used a wire wheel to get rid of the bondo from someone's previous repair and to get it down to bare metal, used some rust converter stuff, wire wheeled again, then sanded and prepped and primed. Before by Loukoffman, on Flickr During by Loukoffman, on Flickr Taped off by Loukoffman, on Flickr Primed by Loukoffman, on Flickr Edited April 22, 2015 by LouKoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 The original seat belt bags I had were in pretty rough shape so I tried my hand at making some new ones. I created a pattern using the original bags and sewed them up with using marine grade vinyl and UV and abrasion resistant thread, with elastic to keep the bag snug over the belt, as well as nickel plated eyelets with a peice of paracord to attach the bag to the belt. I sealed the seams of the bag to provide extra protection from the weather as well. I had some left over material and made some extra bags which I will post for sale in the near future. New vs Old by Loukoffman, on Flickr Bag and Belt by Loukoffman, on Flickr Bag over Belt by Loukoffman, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooner Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Those are the great looking man! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOPPER Posted April 23, 2015 Share Posted April 23, 2015 Put me down for a set of bags...Those look great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirzick Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 Any update? I would like to see how you made the ea81 and dr fit as i am about to start the same swap in my 77 wagon. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) Sorry it's been so long since I've updated this, things got a little crazy at the end of the school year and then I immediately started working a full time job. Among the craziness and other projects that needed to take priority I've finally started to get back to working on the Brat. First off here are some better pictures of the Brat Finally Home by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Mean by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Front damage by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Whoever repainted the car before seemed to like Bondo Perfectly Straight by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Bondo door by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr The truck has more rust than it originally appeared after chunks of bondo started to fall off Rust by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Rusty Door by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Rocker panel by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Now on with the updates. I tore into the interior and took out the seats and carpet and some other random bits finding nine dead mice along the way. I got stuck when trying to pull the steering wheel. I got the horn and the nut holding the steering wheel off and it feels loose but it wont come off the shaft, I tried using a mallet and hitting it and pulling it along with soaking the shaft in pb blaster but still have had no success. Anybody have suggestions? I might try to fab up a puller somehow using the little threaded hole that keep the horn retainer thing on. Heres how the interior currently sits after I used some liquid nitrogen to remove tar sound deadening until i ran out. Interior 7/12/15 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Removing the sound deadening revealed some small holes from rust Holes by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr The passenger wheel well has a few holes too Pasenger Wheel Well by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Heres how the car currently sits 7/12/15 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Onto the engine update..... I finally have the engine torn down and have been porting the heads, hoping to finish up this week so I can get everything off to the machince shop to get the heads machined and a valve grind. Plans for the engine have changed though as I found out piston 2 and 4 from the EA71 were pretty chewed up, so it looks like I'm stuck with stock EA81 pistons. Piston 4 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Piston 2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Pulled and pressure washed the dual range tranny from the '83 while I was at the cabin today Dual Range by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr I also started to tear down the dual carb setup carefully documenting how it was set up as I went. I looked over the carbs everywhere and couldn't find a marking saying which model carb they were. Anybody know what gasket set I need to get for this thing, the Australian guys said fuelmiser ht-425 which says is for Hitachi Model DCX-328 but that kit is more than I'm wanting to spend at $50 a peice. Anybody know what other model would share the same carb so I could order a kit off rock auto or another kit to order? DC~2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr DC~6 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr DC~5 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr DC~1 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Dual Carb-Front by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Expect more updates in the next few weeks Edited July 14, 2015 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Sorry for the lack of updates once again. The head have been in the machine shop for a couple weeks now and should be done by the end of next week. I've been working on sandblasting and painting valve covers, oil pan, alternator bracket and other little parts as well as some peugeot alloys I picked up from TheLoyale a couple monthes ago. I've also been sanding and cleaning up the floor pans and front end so I can start cutting and welding some new peices that my Dad and I made to patch the worst spots. Pictures to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbosubarubrat Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) Great engine/trans combo to put into a brat. Any update on the rear seat belt covers? They look oem. Edited August 22, 2015 by turbosubarubrat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Yeah it should be a fun car if I can ever find the time to finish all of the things I'd like to do with it, but with school starting next week it might not be driving until next year. About the seat belt covers, I've got three sets made and I could make more if there's interest but it might take me a while to make more now that I'm starting college. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l75eya Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Lots of brat owners on here that would love to have those covers. If I were you I'd set aside a weekend to crank out as many of those as you can and make some $$$. ;-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted August 25, 2015 Author Share Posted August 25, 2015 Well I got some more vinyl and am gonna do my best to try to crank out a few more covers this week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) Since I got my wisdom teeth removed yesterday morning I figured it would be a good time to do an update. I took the carbs off the intake manifold and am hopefully going to sandblast it and paint it along with the valve covers and oil pan this weekend. I finished sandblasting and painting the alternator bracket and crank pulley, and I sandblasted the peugeot alloys but I still have some work to do to clean them up a little more before paint. I've been working on cleaning all of the tar residue off of the floor pans using 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner, so I can paint the whole floor right away after I patch the holes by the back of the transmission tunnel. 3M Adhesive Remover by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Floor Pan Holes by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Here are some pics of the 90 degree bent pieces of steel my Dad made with the sheet metal break at his work to patch spots on the front end. 90 Degree Bend-1 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 90 Degree Bend-2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr These are some of the spots I need the patch. There is similar rust on the drivers side that also needs patching. Rusty Lip 2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Rusty Lip 1 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr I also picked up an '05 Sti Catback and plan to use the axleback portion on the brat. Sti Catback by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Sti Muffler by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Since I've got some down time because of recovery from my wisdom teeth I'm planning to work on making some more seat belt covers tomorrow. I stopped by the machinist today to drop of some valve guide seals I forgot to give him, we looked over the heads again and he says he'll have the heads done by Friday and the work he has done already looks great! Edited August 27, 2015 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 The machinist finished up my heads tonight and sent me this picture. Machined Heads by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted September 3, 2015 Author Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) This week I worked on the front end rust, reconditioned the peugeot alloy lug nuts, painted the oil pan, primed the valve covers, test fitted the transmission, picked up the heads from the machine shop, and my Dad cleaned up the engine block for me. I fixed the Rusted out lip on the passenger side of the engine bay. Drilled out the spot welds the used the angle grinder to cut out the bad sections. Two layer section by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Cut by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Then I primed the new section and the existing section with weldable primer, ground down my welds, and then primed it again. The welds aren’t the best looking but they won’t be visible and at least they are sturdy. Passenger Side Done by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Same thing on the drivers side but I didn’t finish. Driver Side Repair by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Repaired a spot on the passenger side by the headlights too. Front finished by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Front Painted by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Wire Wheeled the Lug Nuts Raw Lugs by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Then Primed Primed Lugs by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Then Paint the Lugs with leftover Rustoleum Engine Enamel Painted Lugs by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Oil Pan Painted with VHT Engine Accessory Black Oil Pan by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Only had time to prime the Valve Covers with VHT Flame Proof Primer Primed Valve Covers by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr The heads turned out great. All in all the machinist fixed the exhaust threads, a spark plug thread, and intake thread, put on a multi angle valve grind and milled the heads .001" because they were slightly warped. Heads by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr My Dad polished up the block for me using a scotch brite polishing wheel on a drill and soaking the halves in degreaser. Block by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr This might be the last post for a while because I’m living in the dorm, but I’ll be going back home on the weekends and such to work on it more. Edited September 3, 2015 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Small update but I finished up the driver side lip tonight. Driver Side Lip by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Forgot to mention how the transmission fitting went in the last post so here goes. I'm sure this has been documented already but to get the transmission mounts to line up on transmission crossmember I had to move the tranny mounts back further, to where they would be if looking at the original single range. Like many other threads have said before the transmission is wider and interferes with the steering linkage, so I'm either going to grind the bellhousing or do something with the linkage, I'd kinda like to get rid of the rag joint anyway because mine is in poor shape so I'm thinking I'll adapt the linkage or both. Original 4 speed d/r mounts Original Location by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Relocated Mounts Relocated Mounts by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Barely clears without the rag joint heat shield/protector Tranny fits by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirzick Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I ended up grinding the bell housing down a bit and removed the rag joint shield aswell. I have had no problems with this setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share Posted December 30, 2015 On winter break so I've been working on tackling some of the rust. Finished up the holes at the back of the floor pans, started to work on tricky spot in the wheels well/engine bay area, and am working on prepping the the floor for paint and undercoating the underside of the car. Hoping to get a lot of work done before I got back to school Here's a few pictures of some of the work....more to come Cut out the worst of the rust in the back. Driver Floor by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Here's the repair. Driver Floor Repair by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subarubrat Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Looks like it is coming along nicely! About those bags, they look nice and I would be down for a set myself, I think you could sell quite a few sets since most are lost to history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Finished up a tricky spot in the passenger wheel well today. Still have to tackle the same spot on the drivers side. Passenger Wheel Well Rust by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Wheel Well Partial by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Weld Thru Primer by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Wheel Well Primed by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr About the bags, I got out the sewing machine a few days ago and have been slowly working on making a few more sets and hopefully will have a few to sell soon. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted March 14, 2016 Author Share Posted March 14, 2016 Finished the floor and fender well rust this weekend. Painted the floor and the e brake lever. Floor Painted by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Undercoated the fender wells. Right Fender Well by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Left Fender Well by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Refinished some seats rails I picked up. The old seats where held in with 1x2 peices of wood bolted to through the floor. Seat Rails by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Little update Painted the intake and valve covers with a little inspiration from sti Wrinkle Red Intake by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Wrinkle Red Valve Covers by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Finally finished painting the pugs as well, color is oil rubbed bronze but it looks more of a gunmetal grey in person Bronze Pugs by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr The engine is ready to be reassembled as soon as my bearings, pistons, and gasket set arrive. I've been working on rebuilding the carburetors and am almost completely done with one but have yet to dig into the other one in case I need to use it as a reference. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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