HawaiiBrat Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 (edited) Got most of the wiring, heater hoses, vacuum lines etc figured out and continued working on my headers. The engine is almost ready to start, just have to get a nut and bolt for the alternator, get some hose clamps for coolant lines and then I will have everything I need to wrap up the drivetrain. Also have almost the entire brake system back together, with all new soft lines, just have to get a piston compressor because my drivers side caliper won't fit on the rotor with the new pads. The engine mocked up with coolant lines and vacuum lines, waiting for hose clamps for final assembly. mock up by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Heres a photo of the headers. Still need to put another short length of pipe on the end of the headers and weld on a flange and bung for my wideband but I'm pretty happy with how they're turning out Headers by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Thanks for sharing! It's very inspiring to me as I have to do majority of what you have already done. Question, how did you go about smoothing out the dented wheel wells? Mine are also super dented and I would like to smooth them out like yours. Also, if you ever want to get rid of your old wheels, let me know! I want them! Edited February 11, 2018 by HawaiiBrat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted February 11, 2018 Author Share Posted February 11, 2018 To smooth out the wheel wells I started using a hammer and dolly to knock out some of the big dents from inside the wheel well, but because there are multiple layers of sheet metal in place it is impossible to knock out some of the dents. For what was left after using the hammer and dolly I just went over with some body filler and sanded smooth. Best of luck with your project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 Got the carbs, distributor and alternator all mounted to the engine, got the tranny fluid, and break in oil in. Welded and wired up my wideband o2 sensor. Chasing down some electrical issues but it should be ready to fire up with a little more work. Dual carb in bay by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr o2 sensor by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor38 Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Great work! Can't wait to see how it turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 Little update, got it to turn over this past weekend but had no spark. Tried to diagnose the issue and I think I may have fried my ignition control module with my incorrect wiring at first. The ea81 sounded healthy when it turned over and it should be ready to run once I get the parts I need ordered, can't wait to hear it run for the first time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subyrally Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 love the build so far, cant wait to see it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subaru Scott Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 DITCH that Nippondenso distributor, and get a Hitachi. That is what all the later 4WD models would have anyway. The Nippondensos will leave you walking, ask me how I know! The Hitachis did have issues with the shaft bushing wearing out, if the oil wasn't changed regularly, but the electronics are bulletproof. Excellent work by the way, superb job!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 Finally got spark after getting a refurbed hitachi distributor and then had to chase down a few changes that needed to be made from switching to an internally regulated alternator on the ea81. Once I fixed my spark issue and set the timing, I got the ea81 to run for the first time, and surprisingly it started right up and ran pretty well for not touching the carbs at al. I didn't get a chance to hook up the radiator and heater core yet so I've only run it a few times for a few seconds. The rebuilt ea81s first time running. I still have to make the rest of the exhaust so it's running open headers EA81 first time running by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 (edited) Got the basecoat layed this afternoon, color looks really dark in the shop but when it's in the sun or with good lighting it lightens up a lot. Body In color by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Close up by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Edited May 28, 2018 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyeights Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted May 29, 2018 Author Share Posted May 29, 2018 Got the rest of the exhaust fabbed up today, wasn't able to finish welding it fully. Exhaust is 1.75" unequal headers then 2 inch to the back with a resonator and a high flow muffler, all mandrel bends except the 45 right before the muffler. Midpipe by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Axleback by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted June 6, 2018 Author Share Posted June 6, 2018 (edited) Sprayed another coat of base yesterday and then the clear today. So happy with the color and how the paint turned out, having never painted a metallic base coat before I was a bit nervous. Now there's only a few things left to get sorted out and I'm eager to get it on the road! Fresh Paint by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Fresh Paint 2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Edited June 6, 2018 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted June 12, 2018 Author Share Posted June 12, 2018 Got the front and rear windows, lights, front and some of the interior back together. I also installed speedoo clutch and throttle cables, the radiator and fan and made a pitch stopper by sleeving the ea81 pitch stopper to extend it slightly using the stock mount location on the body and welding a bit onto a the original mount plate from the ea81. Waiting on a single brake line for it to hit the streets. Have had it running and have worked a bit on getting the carbs synced but need to take it for a drive to really feel it out, AFRs were looking good when I've been running it and it sounds healthy and peppy. Pitch Stopper by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr IMG_5876 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr image_50428417 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted June 16, 2018 Author Share Posted June 16, 2018 Well it's an important update. The brat is almost completely back together! The interior is almost all back together with the parts that I have, however it's going to be a work in progress for a while. Got my door handles and locks back in but still have to put the tailgate, more of the trim, and the cowl and wipers back on. But most importantly I took it out for its first drive since 2012, and it was awesome. It rides great and shifts great, Im still breaking in the engine and clutch so I haven't really stepped on it too much yet but it's got some pep. I would've taken a video but by the time I got the brakes done tonight it was already dark out. Drivers interior by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Passenger interior by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Almost all together by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooparu Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 Really nice work. Love the direction you're taking this project in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_freddo Posted June 17, 2018 Share Posted June 17, 2018 Top effort mate! I wish I had this amount of time I work on my subi's!! Pooparu, good to see you back too, we haven't seen you around here for a while from what I've seen Cheers Bennie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted June 17, 2018 Author Share Posted June 17, 2018 Thanks guys! I couldn't be more stoked with how it's turning out. Got the rest of my interior in, put the tailgate on, and drove it to the gas station and for a little cruise. Only a few things left to button up before I can take it back from the cabin and start driving and enjoying it! Some beauty shots from tonight Lake back by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Lake side by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Lake front by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawaiiBrat Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Awesome! Would love to hear how it sounds! Video please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted June 23, 2018 Author Share Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) Here's a quick video of it, will be getting more in the future for sure. Think I have a small exhaust leak still, need to retorque it now that the gaskets have been heat cycled. You might have to click on the video to go to flickr to view it. Revs by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Edited June 23, 2018 by LouKoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 Got my bumpers painted with some single stage enamel yesterday and installed them today. Also found some old-school cal customs "off-road" light at the thrift store. I tinted them yellow and threw those on as well, still need to wire them up but I think they're pretty sweet for $5 lights with metal buckets and glass lenses. IMG_5989 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr IMG_5988 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr IMG_5986 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Heres some other pictures I took this last week while driving it around. Sunset by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 4wd test by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawaiiBrat Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 So awesome! I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted September 7, 2018 Author Share Posted September 7, 2018 I've been dailying the car for about 2 months now and have taken it on a number of road trips about 2700 miles and it's been awesome. The one issue is the rear spring rate is quite soft. Cuyuna 2 by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Camping by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr End of the trail by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Cuyuna by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamemdor Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 It looks amazing man congrats on all of the hard work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouKoff Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 I thought the brat looked cool and handled decent when it was lowered but not that I'm planning to use the car for camping and hauling stuff I decided to lift it. I made a lift for the front and clocked the rear torsion bar to get some more ground clearance, got a period correct winch, fully sound deadened the interior. Winch by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Winch Mounted by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Raised by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr Working on getting it ready for a 3k mile road trip in a month. Gotta install a new brake rotor, check my valve tolerances, and try to fix up this topper. topper damage by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr bent window by Luke Hoffman, on Flickr The topper has some extensive damage and a bent window frame. The roof is made of a foam sandwich core which has molded/deteriorated and beyond repair so I picked up some plascore honeycomb material and fiberglass to remake the roof and repair the cracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAP Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Really nice job! I just read through your thread. Hope it lights a fire under me. I have a 78 in the driveway needs to reincarnate. I would like to put the dual range tranny in it. I have the fat case, a good running ea71 and a 2nd gen brat for the tranny. I haven't been on usmb for a long time. Again, thanks for posting all this. Great job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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