Caboobaroo Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 LUVMYBRAT has been so kind to let me borrow his cherry Brat although, the body is in wonderful shape, it has a few drivetrain and suspension issues. Also, a year ago, we ended up swapping the 160k mile Brat engine (hydro lifter EA81) for a 90k mile '81 wagon engine (solid lifter EA81). Wow, this engine is a gutless wonder! So I'm going to be swapping the original EA81 back into it but I also have to swap the tranny as well. The tranny thats in it has some funky issues. First off, it feels like the shifter bushings are totally SHOT but when I pulled the shifter boot back this evening, I moved the shifter around in gear and granted, there was a little shifter play, there seems to be a lot of play coming from the transmission. So I'm going to be swapping in another 4-speed d/r 4wd tranny in there while putting in new bushings as well. Next off, the front end has a few noises coming from it like the castle nut on the driver side front axle isn't tight. I also crawled under it on the driver side and noticed that the cotter pin for the balljoint is missing, luckily I have a whole box of assorted cotter pins. So when I pull the tranny to replace it, I'm also going to be pulling the engine and dropping the original back in, while at the same time (or right after I get the engine/tranny in) I'm going to be running through the front end to make sure everythin is tight and in place. With that said and done, it'll be onto the rear disc conversion if I have all the parts to do it, and then bleeding the brakes. I have missed working on something this easy, compared to my RX. I loved my Brat and it was so easy to work on, 3 engine swaps in a week and thats when time permitted it plus a few other small mods I did to it. I'm back to the land of carburators! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 gotta love it.i don't even know how many times i have had my front end completely apart in the last yuear....but it was alot!and back together to got o work the next day even...sometimes with a light....but done that night.i love these things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenes Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 carbs are the reason I can't get my 84gl to work. stupid piece of gargabe!! really, I'm tired of it. I have a vacuum leak....but nowhere to be found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratsrus1 Posted January 7, 2006 Share Posted January 7, 2006 Hey Caboobaroo This is Jerry, instead of the 4 speed install the 5 speed dual range tranny it's alot better tranny and alot more fun to drive. After all you are doing all this work just go another step install the 5 speed you will love it. Thanks Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted January 7, 2006 Author Share Posted January 7, 2006 Hey Caboobaroo This is Jerry, instead of the 4 speed install the 5 speed dual range tranny it's alot better tranny and alot more fun to drive. After all you are doing all this work just go another step install the 5 speed you will love it. Thanks Jerry Well I would but I don't have any currently and the 4-speed was already pulled and ready to go in. Bill and I will probably install the 5-speed later on down the line but for right now, the 4-speed is the cheapest and easiest way to go since I just have to swap trannys. Ravenes - I'll be down in Denver on the 15th for the meet we're having. If anything I might be able to come down and help if you still need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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