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Just got a 78 Brat. Alabama


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I acquired a 1978 Subaru Brat today. It has a low mileage EA71 mated to the original 4 speed manual trans. I'm going to be looking into replacing the fenders with some fiberglass aftermarket copies and will potentially swap out my tailgate later on.

 

The fuel tank is currently plugged with trash, and it had some awfully complex aftermarket thermo-control switch in place controlling an electric fan - mounted to the front of the radiator. I've got a relatively new Weber, courtesy of the previous owner. The choke isn't hooked up however, so I will need to find a switched 12v.

 

Pictures, for right now: http://savannah.craigslist.org/cto/4964124493.html

 

 

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Looks to be PO creativity to me. It does not match the genuine 'short' stripe which starts behind the door and a genuine 'long' stripe would end near the mirror not continue to the front guard.

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I will definitely be keeping it stock. I love the color scheme as well. I am debating whether or not to buy new fenders or keep the crusty ones. I put some Pentrol on there to mitigate the rust (linseed oil). That will at least keep it from oxidizing for a short while.

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I acquired a 1978 Subaru Brat today. It has a low mileage EA71 mated to the original 4 speed manual trans. I'm going to be looking into replacing the fenders with some fiberglass aftermarket copies and will potentially swap out my tailgate later on.

 

The fuel tank is currently plugged with trash, and it had some awfully complex aftermarket thermo-control switch in place controlling an electric fan - mounted to the front of the radiator. I've got a relatively new Weber, courtesy of the previous owner. The choke isn't hooked up however, so I will need to find a switched 12v.

 

Pictures, for right now: http://savannah.craigslist.org/cto/4964124493.html

Welcome to the forum. You will be in for quite a ride with your new Brat. I've got a bunch of factory service manuals and booklets that detail the repair and replace process. Let us know what you need and I'll do what I can to best answer questions.

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Thanks.

 

I've been working on the Brat a little today. I installed a Hayden electric fan controller to operate the PO's electric fan. I hope to get two electric fans at a later date. Not sure how well this one will cool as it's mounted on the front of the radiator, more towards the center. Kinda small.

 

I've got a repair manual coming in the mail, but it will likely be too broad in focus. I only paid $6 for it though. In the next week or so, I hope to have my front passenger cv boot replaced, rear brakes fixed, etc.

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I traded a 1978 Volkswagen Bus for this Brat.

vwbugNbus_zpswwznlpy4.jpg

Brats don't exist in my part of the country, hardly. I've had three VW buses thusfar, and they are a bit of a money pit. The only Volkswagen that I dare afford is my Beetle. I figure it's better to let someone else fuss with the Type 4 money-pit engines. Even though mine was running fine, I always had the cost of new cylinder heads in the back of my mind - should anything ever happen. That, plus our 1994 Mustang broke down on the way back from looking at it served as a bit of a bad omen (lost rear differential seal and pinion bearing on I-65).

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  • 3 weeks later...

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