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Brat back together!! - It's REALLY REALLY alive!!!!!! - No, I MEAN it this time :)


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Hey all,

 

Finally got my Brat back together and on the ground.

 

Final tasks that were completed:

 

New clutch (cheapo $149 dynopak)

New clutch release bearing (pressed old one off housing)

New headgaskets/oil seals

Nice shine on motor :)

Nice clean pistons and heads after carbon buildup removed

New front driveaxles from CVShafts.com

New front strut tower mounts (old rubber completely sheared)

Lots of TLC

 

Went to spark her up after finally getting it back on the ground yesturday.

 

Took a few seconds to get the gas to the carb then it started with foot on peddle.

 

Pressing the peddle didn't rev engine :-\

 

First thing I tried was check the timing - seemed to flash on a hole in the flywheel :-\

 

Got flywheel to TDC on #1 by aligning the mark on "0". The rotor was pointing slightly advanced of the #1 pickup in dissy cap.

 

It seems to be set up correctly... I didn't take the dissy off the engine while cleaning it but did rotate the crank to clean the pistons.

 

Is there a chance the dissy could get missaligned or be out by 360 degrees?

 

Looking for first impressions before I get back to more troubleshooting...

 

I'm gonna do compression checks this afternoon.

 

Steve

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Its always possible to have the disty off by a tooth.

 

nipper

 

Thanks for the tip, it pointed me in the right direction....

 

The dissy appeared to be off by a tooth so I adjusted it and tried again. Still was being awkward.

 

Decided to swap in a spare dissy I had being given with the car - cleaned it up and put it in place.

 

Hurrah!!!!!!! It stays running with it slighty advanced...

 

 

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

 

Glad to have it back on the road again after nearly two months down time.

 

Still shoots a hole in the flywheel but I will try again when it is dark to get a better timing look.

 

Steve

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pics dammit! :headbang:

 

Woops, spoke to early :mad:

 

It was wierd again after I started it after a shower.

 

I changed the carb this time.

 

Still wierd.

 

I checked the rotor arm again and it was out by 1 tooth again.

 

It appears to jump teeth like a kangaroo with bad dentures.

 

The clutch is also screwed. The cable is at the end of its tension and it makes a wierd sound when I press it to the floor.

 

Serves me right for buying cheap crap.

 

Saw an SVX on ebay that is taking my fancy :)

 

Steve

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No offense meant here...

 

But if you are having trouble with a Brat you dont want an SVX. The Brat is basic and simple mechanical stuff. The SVX is stuffed full under the hood, prone to trans problems, wheel bearings every 60K or so and expensive tires and almost everything else on the car (when the part is still available.)

Lets not forget, the windshield alone is probably more expensive than a Brat. MSRP over 800 probably closer to 1200 most markets.

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No offense meant here...

 

But if you are having trouble with a Brat you dont want an SVX. The Brat is basic and simple mechanical stuff. The SVX is stuffed full under the hood, prone to trans problems, wheel bearings every 60K or so and expensive tires and almost everything else on the car (when the part is still available.)

Lets not forget, the windshield alone is probably more expensive than a Brat. MSRP over 800 probably closer to 1200 most markets.

 

None taken, thanks for the advice..

 

I was partly just venting my frustrations..

 

Good to know they have issues - must admit I do like the look of them though - and the V6 sounds appealing :)

 

Steve

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The clutch is also screwed. The cable is at the end of its tension and it makes a wierd sound when I press it to the floor.

 

 

Steve,

 

are you SURE you have the right clutch? Did you test-fit the splined clutch-disk onto the splines of the tranny input shaft to make sure?

 

You should not be getting ANY additional sound when the clutch is depressed.... especially with a new t/o bearing.

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Steve,

 

are you SURE you have the right clutch? Did you test-fit the splined clutch-disk onto the splines of the tranny input shaft to make sure?

 

You should not be getting ANY additional sound when the clutch is depressed.... especially with a new t/o bearing.

 

No, I'm not sure - esp considering the replacement t/o bearing housing in the kit had a bigger diameter hole (not to mention the crappy plastic insert)....

 

http://www.alonzostreet.com/steve/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=553

 

I checked the packing slip on the kit and it said '85 Brat 1800 blah blah...

 

I didn't check the disk on the tranny shaft though :(

 

Anyways, after advice on the board, I've since looked into a centerforce clutch (not produced anymore according to sales rep) and OEM from 1stsubaru parts. Just to make sure, I ordered a new flywheel, disk, plate, lever and springs. I need to double check the fitting of those springs because they seemed scarily loose when I connected the lever to the t/o housing....

 

Steve

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if those are indeed pics of your throwout bearing (new and old) .... it looks like they sent you a clutch for an EA82 or XT6 :-\

 

This is going on an EA81 engine, mated to the EA81 4SPD stick shift tranny..... right?

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....also, did your new clutch come with an "alignment" tool?

 

If so.... that should match the splines and size of the "new" clutch disk that is installed in there now.

 

Go match it up with the splines and size of the OLD clutch disk (hopefully you havent 'pitched it yet.)

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....also, did your new clutch come with an "alignment" tool?

 

If so.... that should match the splines and size of the "new" clutch disk that is installed in there now.

 

Go match it up with the splines and size of the OLD clutch disk (hopefully you havent 'pitched it yet.)

 

Good call!

 

I kept the alignment tool and old clutch disc :)

 

Tranny - you got it - 4 Speed Manual.

 

Steve

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Yeah...

 

match them up when you get a chance. An EA82 disk is the "next size up" from where you want to be.

 

PM me back and let me know. :cool:

 

Is that 8-7/8?

 

I measured my old one and its definately 7-7/8

 

Will PM this avo....

 

Steve

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I measured my old one and its definately 7-7/8

 

The outer diameter of the DISK isnt the main "problem" point here.

 

My main question was actually as to the size of the splined center....

 

If the clutch alignment tool doesnt fit into your old clutch disk "center" .... that means that you have the wrong disk in there now.

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The outer diameter of the DISK isnt the main "problem" point here.

 

My main question was actually as to the size of the splined center....

 

If the clutch alignment tool doesnt fit into your old clutch disk "center" .... that means that you have the wrong disk in there now.

 

Sure, I know what you are saying - I was justing giving you the only facts about the disc I had...

 

But guess what?????

 

Turns out you are 110% correct - my old disc's splines have a smaller diameter than the alignment tool in the kit they sent me....

 

Everyone stay away from this part number at PartsAmerica if you want an 85 Brat clutch kit:

 

NU31144 - Fenco Clutch Kit - 1985 Subaru Brat GL H4 1.8 1781 5 2BBL

 

Whoops - maybe the 5 in the name means 5 speed ? ! ? :dead:

 

Anyway, my other problem (engine misfiring) has been fixed - just got to wait on my real OEM clutch set now :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

 

Go on then.... :banana: :banana: :banana:

 

 

Steve

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Cool Steve!

 

Glad I could help.

 

If you have a CarQuest nearby, I just got a SWEET clutch (disk only) for like 60 bucks! It is sold under the Paraut brand name... but it is straight from Japan, and is O.E. quality.

 

Ive had real great luck with Paraut parts.

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Cool Steve!

 

Glad I could help.

 

If you have a CarQuest nearby, I just got a SWEET clutch (disk only) for like 60 bucks! It is sold under the Paraut brand name... but it is straight from Japan, and is O.E. quality.

 

Ive had real great luck with Paraut parts.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind next time I need one....

 

Do you trust any other parts from them?? I usually go with Beck Arnley from NAPA whenever I can...

 

Steve

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