Brat EA81 Rebuild thread

[Subarute1984]

Alright, so after some research I'm about ready to start an engine rebuild of my ea81. I'm going to use this thread to keep track of my misadventures as I work through attempting to redo an engine that has little to no parts availability, so that you don't have to experience my pain. Videos of the rebuild will most likely end up on my youtube channel.

First thing's first. The vehicle that is in need of a rebuild is none other than my rusted-out, ex-daily driver 1984 Subaru brat. I purchased this heap for 400 dollars when I was 14 years old. By purchased, I mean I worked 50 hours for a farmer during harvest at 8 dollars an hour and in exchange recieved the privilage of cleaning his pasture for him so I could liberate it. It was my first car and first project. I drug it out of said pasture here in the midwestern united states, checked the oil, fixed the mouse-eaten wiring to the fuel pump, aired up the 30 year old tires, and drove my new to me 92,000 mile car home and proceeded to park it for 2 years, occasionally starting it up. when I got my license I changed the oil and dailied it for about a year, just around my VERY VERY small town and occasionally going 30 miles to walmart for groceries. once I hit 93000 miles the engine started to make a knocking noise, and then it started not wanting to run. So I stopped making it. I figured id rather have bearings to replace than an entire engine. In the coming months, I realized just how poor parts availability for the ea81 is.

but that's why I'm making this thread, right?

Occasionally, rockauto has parts like the bearings available, but only occasionally, so I have been trying to find an alternative source thats a little more *ahem* reliable. I had heard that the ea81 shares the same main/rod bearings as the ea82 and er27. If anyone can confirm this I would greatly appreciate it.

That's all I've got for now. I'll check back in once I start pulling the engine and know what all I need

Ciao

Subarute

Edited March 26, 2020 by Subarute1984

[Crazyeights]

The EA81 and EA82 do share the same main and rod bearings.

[Subarute1984]

2 hours ago, Crazyeights said:

The EA81 and EA82 do share the same main and rod bearings.

Thanks! That's good to know

 

[Wannabebrat]

On 3/25/2020 at 11:00 PM, Subarute1984 said:

Alright, so after some research I'm about ready to start an engine rebuild of my ea81. I'm going to use this thread to keep track of my misadventures as I work through attempting to redo an engine that has little to no parts availability, so that you don't have to experience my pain. Videos of the rebuild will most likely end up on my youtube channel.

First thing's first. The vehicle that is in need of a rebuild is none other than my rusted-out, ex-daily driver 1984 Subaru brat. I purchased this heap for 400 dollars when I was 14 years old. By purchased, I mean I worked 50 hours for a farmer during harvest at 8 dollars an hour and in exchange recieved the privilage of cleaning his pasture for him so I could liberate it. It was my first car and first project. I drug it out of said pasture here in the midwestern united states, checked the oil, fixed the mouse-eaten wiring to the fuel pump, aired up the 30 year old tires, and drove my new to me 92,000 mile car home and proceeded to park it for 2 years, occasionally starting it up. when I got my license I changed the oil and dailied it for about a year, just around my VERY VERY small town and occasionally going 30 miles to walmart for groceries. once I hit 93000 miles the engine started to make a knocking noise, and then it started not wanting to run. So I stopped making it. I figured id rather have bearings to replace than an entire engine. In the coming months, I realized just how poor parts availability for the ea81 is.

but that's why I'm making this thread, right?

Occasionally, rockauto has parts like the bearings available, but only occasionally, so I have been trying to find an alternative source thats a little more *ahem* reliable. I had heard that the ea81 shares the same main/rod bearings as the ea82 and er27. If anyone can confirm this I would greatly appreciate it.

That's all I've got for now. I'll check back in once I start pulling the engine and know what all I need

Ciao

Subarute

Awesome man please do keep this going! I have a feeling I'll end up in the same boat one day soon and this thread and especially videos will be appreciated.

[forsaken]

Hello everyone im new here, now I'm haveing a very hard time locating the gasket that goes between the crankcase ( once its split in half ) would anyone have any ideas where to get it. its a 1984 brat with the ea81, its going to be a daily driver and just doing a full rebuild from ground up. 

[Subarute1984]

51 minutes ago, forsaken said:

Hello everyone im new here, now I'm haveing a very hard time locating the gasket that goes between the crankcase ( once its split in half ) would anyone have any ideas where to get it. its a 1984 brat with the ea81, its going to be a daily driver and just doing a full rebuild from ground up. 

I've heard you can just use gasket maker, but I'm not sure

[forsaken]

thats what i was wondering, once this motor is done, going to grab another and do the same, it will be a spare motor just in case. 

[Crazyeights]

I used Loctite 518 flange sealant on mine but you can use Fuji Bond, Toyota Bond, etc just don't use rtv. There is no gasket between the case halves. There is a special oval shaped o-ring in there though.

[Subarute1984]

20 minutes ago, Crazyeights said:

I used Loctite 518 flange sealant on mine but you can use Fuji Bond, Toyota Bond, etc just don't use rtv. There is no gasket between the case halves. There is a special oval shaped o-ring in there though.

That's very good to know! Again, thanks!