Advice on rebuild

[mudman]

I can't find a rebuild kit for an EA71. I want to completly rebuild the heads, hone the cylinders, replace all gaskets, grind crank, new bearings, oil pump, etc.

 

I found this guy. http://rpmrons.com/Subarukits.html

 

Are these quality rebuild kits, or is there an alternative? I'd rather buy all parts in one complete kit rather than buy them individually.

 

Next question is, which kit do I buy? I have an ea71 gen 1. I don't know the year, but I suppose that the kit from 76 thru 81 will do the trick? Engine has a top mount starter and is not the fat case. The distributer looks like it comes from a 79 brat, but I was told that the engine is an early 80's model.

 

I can only speculate that the kit from rmprons for the EA71 82-89 is for a fat case design.

[idosubaru]

you might want to consider getting an engine from CCR? or at least the short block and then doing the rest yourself.

 

EA71 parts are different from EA81 i suppose? ram performance sells rebuild kits for EA81's and that's what they use for air craft applications, so those are probably good quality if EA71's share any EA81 parts?

[GeneralDisorder]

CCR does not build EA71's anymore. They can no longer source the head gaskets from Subaru and other necessary components to rebuild them are becoming scarce.

 

Unfortunately it will be difficult to get parts for them and the problem is only getting worse.

 

GD

[idosubaru]

oh yeah, i remember reading about that.

 

since it's carbed wouldn't it be easy to just upgrade to an EA81 then?

[mudman]

I read that post about not being able to get factory replacement head gaskets also. I don't mind aftermarkt though, as long as it's quality. Anyhow, I called RPMRON and he told me that without a specific year of my engine, he can't help me. He says that EA71 engines have different gaskets for different years, and also different main bearings. He doesn't offer timing gears though. With this information, I cant see how parts from a EA81 can fit the EA71 Gen 1. I heard that the pistons are the same, but the stroke is different. Therefore the crank is different. The heads should be different also, I think, which means different head gaskets. Valves and seats may be interchangeable, but I dont know. Are timing gears interchangeable?

 

I also understand that the EA71 had 6 different configurations. I don't know how many of those were the gen 1 though. How can I narrow down the year of my engine? What information would you guys need to get an accurate year? I can take some pictures, give information, etc. I just want to make sure that I get the correct parts for this rebuild. If It's done right, the engine shoud run for another 35 to 40 years.

[mudman]

This is the distributer that I have. http://info.rockauto.com/Cardone/Detail3.htm?/31/31634-01.jpg

 

I also know that the engine came out of a 4WD vehicle. It had a Hitachi Carb on it. Top mount starter. Ummmmm Ohv pushrod. front mounted water pump attached to the block. The disty that is shown is from a 1979 brat. Is this correct? (I don't trust auto part stores) If so, I suppose that I'll buy the engine rebuild kit for a 1979 4WD Brat. Is there anything else about the engine that may help identifying the year, or could I buy all rebuild parts individually? If so, can enyone tell me exactly what parts I need, even if they are from different year EA71's? I know that I'll need gaskets. bearings, oil pump, wrist pins, main and rod bearings, pistons and rings, camshaft, valves, springs. Timing gears are not available, but I want those too.

 

I'll probably have to grind the crank. Any thouhts on boring 20 thousanths over? How much heat are we talking about? How much Xtra power?

 

The guy with the kit also told me that the lifters are available, but they are about 300 bucks for all 8!!!!! Are these magical lifters? I suppose that they are hydraulically delecious. For that kind of green, I might just buy a crate engine.

 

Sorry, but I haven't opened the case yet. The engine runs fine, but has some smoke from one side. Keeps on fouling out the p;lugs on the no. 1. I'll rebuild, but only if I can make the engine like new again. I really want to get in there and scrub out the almost 30 years of use. Any suggestions?

 

I plan on doing a complete post from start to finish of this project. It should only take a few days though.

[naru]

Timing gears are not interchangible,However,they are available OEM.Over $200! Probably a waste of money.

 

Valves aren`t interchangible.

 

$300 seems awful steep for lifters when 1st subaru has brand new factory

ones for $18 each.

 

.020 overbore should be fine as it is the factory limit.I would not expect any more heat or power as the compression increase is nominal.

 

Always good to have the crank grinder supply bearings.That way there can be no arguments about fit.

[Snowman]

I wouldn't worry about replacing the timing gears unless you can see they are damaged. They will outlast pretty much everything else in the engine. In big diesels, the gears will run for a million miles.

[GeneralDisorder]

Replacing the timing gears is pointless. They really don't wear out.

 

Don't bore it over unless you have a machinist with a bore-plate for the EA71 as you need to simulate the head being attached. If you don't there's a high probability you will spin the liners during break-in.

 

There's no need to go to all the trouble you are planning - put new bearings in it (mic the crank of course), cross-hatch the cylinders, new iron rings (chrome is a waste and they take forever to break in), and do the heads of course (mill, valve grind, ect). Throw it together and run it.

 

GD