Hi Everyone...
Not sure if i have found the right place to post my dramas but I'll give it a shot anyway.
I recently (two mths ago) purchased my first subaru brumby ute 78 model.. Herein lies my first question...
What do you call that ?? Is that a series anything ? Any special name other than what I called it ? Whats a leony ? ?? Anyway moving on...
"Apparently" the motor had been rebuilt 2000kms before I brought it and all the bodywork has been done, with a nice little black paintjob.. I do love him however..
I purchased it with a certificate from a mechanic that said it needed a seal in the gearbox replaced for a roadworthy. . So I took the car with the problem and had it fixed.. Cheaper than I expected so no drama.. Turns out it didnt need one seal.. it needed all of them but still cheaper than what the kid I brought it off was quoted so still all good.. HOWEVER.. then the 4th gear went the next day.. 3 days and a few more hundred dollars later it was the selector which I had to have specially made to work because couldn't get one ANYWHERE (gearbox that is).. So that was fixed... I was also told the list of things for roadworthy was as long as my arm being.. back cyl's.. multiple oil leaks e.c.t e.c.t.. So I got it all fixed !! NOW... just this morning it shits itself half way to work and 'apparently' two cylindars arent firing and &^%$ knows what its going to cost me now.. and here resume my questions as follows....
Would a reconditioned motor do a headgasket ??
Have I been rolled here ??
Where can I find a gearbox ??
What about a new motor ??
Im thinking because the motor has to come out if it is a headgasket.. should I just replace the whole motor with something a little quicker ??
What is compatible with the 78' brumby ?? What will fit in there ?
Are there any simple 'bolt on' options ??
Thanks for reading everyone.. I know I have babbled on and answering all my questions might be a bit hard for some so if you could help me out with anything that would be great.. and hope my post wasnt too long and boring for you... Cheers !
~Carlie
Needing Help What Have I Gotten Myself Into!?!?!
i had one of the older subys years ago but insted of the 1600 engine that was in it i put an ea81 1800 engine in it and a duel range box but can't remember if it bolted in or i had to do mods. i think it was a straight swap( theres been alot of other cars iv done since then) depends what area your in were to get bits from. but i'd go this option the ea81s are an execellent and strong engine
Hi Carlie welcome to the board you are in the right place:)carlie400 wrote:Hi Everyone...
What do you call that ?? Is that a series anything ? Any special name other than what I called it ? Whats a leony ? ??
~Carlie
The most common name for a 78 Brumby is "Ugly Brumby","Ugly" or "Fugly in short means F@#kin Ugly. There isn't to many around that's why you had to make the leaver up there will be somebody that will help you with the other questions i don't know much about them good luck
Jan
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] !!!Subies will go anywhere
a good question is how much do you trust your mechanic but if you have a good one their worth paying extra for because their like accountants they can save you money if not make it.
87 targa brumby (Neglected),
92 targa brumby (weekend runabout),
97 Lifted Outback (Dailey drive),
05 outback safety (Too cheap to pass up),
90 model liberty (was to be scrapped instead sold to workmate)
+ others.
92 targa brumby (weekend runabout),
97 Lifted Outback (Dailey drive),
05 outback safety (Too cheap to pass up),
90 model liberty (was to be scrapped instead sold to workmate)
+ others.
You have a Gen 1 Brumby with I assume a EA71 motor (1.6l OHV), the later (MY) Brumby is a Gen 2 and has a EA81 motor (1.8l OHV). There is I believe a transitional EA81 motor that will fit more easily into your Brumby.
Heath's comments are spot-on, the EA81 is a much better option and is dirt cheap. You also get an additional 10 (woohoo!) HP. I believe your existing box should fit right up. I also have read the diff ratio for Gen 1 is different than EA81 boxes (EA81 is 3.7 or 3.9 depending on year), so that rules out later gearbox. EA82 box is better (5 speed instead of 4) but won't fit in a Gen 1 without lots of panelbeating.
I would track down a cheap/running donor EA81 vehicle (couple hundred off ebay should cover it), strip out the running gear you can use, and then sell the rest for scrap metal.
Have a look on here also, it is Gen 1 specific:
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/for ... y.php?f=32
The Gen 1's do have their admirers, and they are a fairly unique vehicle (even compared to some of Subaru's other oddball cars like the Vortex
)
Dean.
Heath's comments are spot-on, the EA81 is a much better option and is dirt cheap. You also get an additional 10 (woohoo!) HP. I believe your existing box should fit right up. I also have read the diff ratio for Gen 1 is different than EA81 boxes (EA81 is 3.7 or 3.9 depending on year), so that rules out later gearbox. EA82 box is better (5 speed instead of 4) but won't fit in a Gen 1 without lots of panelbeating.
I would track down a cheap/running donor EA81 vehicle (couple hundred off ebay should cover it), strip out the running gear you can use, and then sell the rest for scrap metal.
Have a look on here also, it is Gen 1 specific:
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/for ... y.php?f=32
The Gen 1's do have their admirers, and they are a fairly unique vehicle (even compared to some of Subaru's other oddball cars like the Vortex
)Dean.
1989 Brumby - Shiny new red paint, stroked EJ20 phase 2 SOHC with Darton sleeves bored to EJ22, Wiseco high-compression pistons, Delta 2000 grind cams , EJ/XT6 5 stud with WRX 4/2 pots, 5-speed, 86 GTS seats and so much more.
Contact me for reproduction XT6 hubs...and EA82 rear discs.
Contact me for reproduction XT6 hubs...and EA82 rear discs.
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subybrumby
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brumbyrunner
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Hi Carlie. To answer some of your other questions.
A Leonie is the sedan version.
Recon motor unlikely to blow a headgasket but anything's possible.
Rolled? We don't know what you paid for the car or the work.
Engines and gearboxes for your model are dirt cheap if you can find one. Try ebay, internet forums and wrecking yards.
I have some questions for you.
Where are you? You didn't put it in your details.
Can we see a pic of your car to ensure we've got the right one.
A Leonie is the sedan version.
Recon motor unlikely to blow a headgasket but anything's possible.
Rolled? We don't know what you paid for the car or the work.
Engines and gearboxes for your model are dirt cheap if you can find one. Try ebay, internet forums and wrecking yards.
I have some questions for you.
Where are you? You didn't put it in your details.
Can we see a pic of your car to ensure we've got the right one.
Settlement Creek Racing
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El_Freddo
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Hmm... no WA boys here yet eh?
Well, in that case there is always going for a more modern engine in the EJ series. I've never come across a fugly that's been EJ'd.
These engines come in the early liberty upwards in different sizes from 1.8L, 2L, 2.2L and 2.5L -> the engine code will tell you its size, eg EJ22 = 2.2L
The biggest problem with my advice here is that i haven't seen under the bonnet of one of these for a long time, since i was 14 thrashing one around the neighbour's back paddocks, so I don't know if there's any rail mods needed etc.
As brumbyrunner asked, where are you? If you're near some subi people that know what they're doing you may get some backyard help that will save you a pot load of money and probabily make you some good subi friends at the same time...
The EA81 would be the simplest engine option, the gearbox may be more complicated due to not knowing what fits. Straight off I'd say a 5 speed Dual Range from the L series ('85 through '94) - make sure the rear diff matches the box's ratio otherwise it makes for a painful time when trying to 4wd (as in it won't happen...)
Sounds like you've got a good body on the unit but a poor or clapped out drivetrain going by what you're saying.
How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?
And welcome to the forum
hopefully we'll have you like 
soon.
Cheers
Bennie
Well, in that case there is always going for a more modern engine in the EJ series. I've never come across a fugly that's been EJ'd.
These engines come in the early liberty upwards in different sizes from 1.8L, 2L, 2.2L and 2.5L -> the engine code will tell you its size, eg EJ22 = 2.2L
The biggest problem with my advice here is that i haven't seen under the bonnet of one of these for a long time, since i was 14 thrashing one around the neighbour's back paddocks, so I don't know if there's any rail mods needed etc.
As brumbyrunner asked, where are you? If you're near some subi people that know what they're doing you may get some backyard help that will save you a pot load of money and probabily make you some good subi friends at the same time...
The EA81 would be the simplest engine option, the gearbox may be more complicated due to not knowing what fits. Straight off I'd say a 5 speed Dual Range from the L series ('85 through '94) - make sure the rear diff matches the box's ratio otherwise it makes for a painful time when trying to 4wd (as in it won't happen...)
Sounds like you've got a good body on the unit but a poor or clapped out drivetrain going by what you're saying.
How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?
And welcome to the forum
hopefully we'll have you like soon.Cheers
Bennie
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carlie400
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- Location: Victoria, Melbourne, Yarra Junction
Hi Everyone!!
Thanks so much for all your helpful ideas !!
I hope I manage to answer the questions I have been asked....
Im in Melbourne !! And theres a photo of my ute on the new members thread. I paid $3000 for my car registered but no rwc, with a leaking gearbox...
Since that last post I did find a few helpful ppl.. Some guy also told me it wasn't called a brumby but an ugly well.....
on that.. He's adorable!
At the moment though hes sitting at the mechanic.. The same guy who told me its an ugly also told me I couldnt upgrade my motor because of the position of the 4wd gear shift which is infront of my normal shifter.. and that only a EA71 would fit.. other than that I would be looking at changing gear boxes and everything and big $$$$
So.. off I went and found a EA71 from a very nice old man who had 7 brumbys in his factory !! It was like suby heaven.. he was also in the middle of rebuilding a motor for one of them... So.. If all goes well with the motor I brought off him.. Which by the way cost me $350.. (think I was ripped a little, comes with being a chick I guess) Anyway.. if it fits, my mechanic said he would have to transfer some of the parts of the orig motor to get it to fit + pollution gear ect... but THEN.. after its running again I will take the orig 1600 back to the nice old man and get him to recondition it for me.. which apparently will cost somewhere between 1000 - 1800 Does that sounds right??
I just want him back on the road.. and I dont care what anyone sais.. the 78's are hot !
So anyway.. just thought I would fill you all in on my progress and hopefully answer all your questions.. please feel free to comment on anything I have done/decided on or anything else you need to know.... Thanks again for all the help...
Cheers,
~Carlie
I hope I manage to answer the questions I have been asked....
Im in Melbourne !!
And theres a photo of my ute on the new members thread. I paid $3000 for my car registered but no rwc, with a leaking gearbox...Since that last post I did find a few helpful ppl.. Some guy also told me it wasn't called a brumby but an ugly well.....
on that.. He's adorable!At the moment though hes sitting at the mechanic.. The same guy who told me its an ugly also told me I couldnt upgrade my motor because of the position of the 4wd gear shift which is infront of my normal shifter.. and that only a EA71 would fit.. other than that I would be looking at changing gear boxes and everything and big $$$$
So.. off I went and found a EA71 from a very nice old man who had 7 brumbys in his factory !! It was like suby heaven.. he was also in the middle of rebuilding a motor for one of them... So.. If all goes well with the motor I brought off him.. Which by the way cost me $350.. (think I was ripped a little, comes with being a chick I guess) Anyway.. if it fits, my mechanic said he would have to transfer some of the parts of the orig motor to get it to fit + pollution gear ect... but THEN.. after its running again I will take the orig 1600 back to the nice old man and get him to recondition it for me.. which apparently will cost somewhere between 1000 - 1800 Does that sounds right??
I just want him back on the road.. and I dont care what anyone sais.. the 78's are hot !
So anyway.. just thought I would fill you all in on my progress and hopefully answer all your questions.. please feel free to comment on anything I have done/decided on or anything else you need to know.... Thanks again for all the help...
Cheers,
~Carlie
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El_Freddo
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Hey Carlie,carlie400 wrote:Im in Melbourne !!
Another Melbournite eh? welcome to the Vic crew...
Anything is possible with a little handy work and some know how - things you learn along the way. Bigger gearshift holes can be made with a watertight plate to make the later model gearbox shifters fit nicely.carlie400 wrote:At the moment though hes sitting at the mechanic.. The same guy who told me its an ugly also told me I couldnt upgrade my motor because of the position of the 4wd gear shift which is infront of my normal shifter.. and that only a EA71 would fit.. other than that I would be looking at changing gear boxes and everything and big $$$$
$1000 sounds about right in parts alone, I'd say that $1800 is a little high end, but I guess labour has to be taken into account too (something I don't pay for). For this price the EJ option could easily be done so long as you were doing it with some people in the know, or have some mechanical knowledge. This would be the biggest power upgrade possible with the least amount of money spent for the amount of power gained.carlie400 wrote:after its running again I will take the orig 1600 back to the nice old man and get him to recondition it for me.. which apparently will cost somewhere between 1000 - 1800 Does that sounds right??
If you went this route you'd certainly have a very unique subaru! If you go for the EA71 rebuild I'd be looking for an EA81 - these can usually be had for about $200 from pick a part or the like in an unknown condition. This way you'd have a 1.8 litre motor - with a new cam profile it could be a real little goer and still be reliable/not require modification for it to fit. Do a search for the cam profiles used, I think steptoe wrote one recently...
Each to their own, but I know how you feel about wanting it back on the road... My Ruby Scoo is sitting in the street with a flat battery while I fit out Sunnie with electric windows (done), central locking (almost done, 4 holes need to be drilled), stereo, speakers and a sports dash (finished last weekend). I want a brumby now!!!carlie400 wrote:I just want him back on the road.. and I dont care what anyone sais.. the 78's are hot !
Ruby S has had her time in the shed too - 2 years while I dropped an Multi Point Fuel Injected EA82 in her. Very steep learning curve during that time...
Good luck with it, I'd probabily look into rebuilding an EA81 rather than an EA71. What does everyone else think??
Cheers
Bennie
PS - got anymore pics of your brumby? The paint work looks good in the pic you mentioned
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brumbyrunner
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So it is an ugly, also known as an L88.
I recently retired my L88 due to bad rust eating it away. It had done a lot of work for me over the years and had well and truly paid for itself. I swapped an old Honda XL500 for it about 14 years ago. It had the original 1600 EA71 with single range 4-speed and a worn out clutch when I got it. I swapped in an electronic 1990 model EA81 and dual range 4-speed which is still in it now. It's a very easy and highly recommended upgrade. The only issues that I remember (from 14 years ago) that need to be addressed are the gearbox crossmember that rubs on the gearbox and the gearshift hole in the floor. I just cut enough out of the floor to clear the gearstick and then cut a new piece of sheetmetal and pop rivited it over the top. Also remember having to cut and weld the linkages to make them work properly. I had a lot of good times in that ute and it never missed a beat, ran nice and cool, sat on 140 all day and used hardly any juice. Wanna see a pic?
I recently retired my L88 due to bad rust eating it away. It had done a lot of work for me over the years and had well and truly paid for itself. I swapped an old Honda XL500 for it about 14 years ago. It had the original 1600 EA71 with single range 4-speed and a worn out clutch when I got it. I swapped in an electronic 1990 model EA81 and dual range 4-speed which is still in it now. It's a very easy and highly recommended upgrade. The only issues that I remember (from 14 years ago) that need to be addressed are the gearbox crossmember that rubs on the gearbox and the gearshift hole in the floor. I just cut enough out of the floor to clear the gearstick and then cut a new piece of sheetmetal and pop rivited it over the top. Also remember having to cut and weld the linkages to make them work properly. I had a lot of good times in that ute and it never missed a beat, ran nice and cool, sat on 140 all day and used hardly any juice. Wanna see a pic?
Settlement Creek Racing
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brumbyrunner
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thats a beauty
i think fugly is a little harsh
i think fugly is a little harsh
GRAB THE VIN FROM DONOR VEHICLES
AUSubaru member specials
Brumby EA81 Oil Pump kit (4 x 'o'rings + gasket) posted Australia wide $22!
Brumby sloppy shifter bush kit $44 posted
email me
http://www.domsmotors.com.au
NOW DISTRIBUTING FOR SUBAXTREME BASH PLATES, NUDGE AND BULLBARS
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carlie400
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OK!!
Here's the deal... I got the brumby back.. with the EA71.. plus a few parts from my orig motor that were needed for change over.. Turns out it didn't fit quite as well as I was lead to believe.. had to transplat the pollution gear, pulleys, oil filler tube e.c.t.. and drill some new holes to bolt it all in.. but finally.. It's back on the road..*fingers crossed* costing me somewhere around $350.. as opposed to the $900 I was quoted to to the heads on the orig... plus the cost of the EA71 so all up $700 or there abouts.. Doesn't sound too crash hot when I put it like that but.. Oh well.. I cant do much about that... I was going to take the orig motor straight to the reco guy but now with all these great ideas I am getting from you wonderful forum people I have a lot more to think about.. still trying to weigh up whats going to get me going and not break the bank...
I will attach a few more pics of the beast for those of you who have requested them If I can work it out And let you know how I go with my considerations
Cheers everyone.. Thanks so much, again.
~Carlie
Pls excuse my terrible attempt at attaching photos.. Im still not quite sure what Im doing and i know they are in the dark photos.. and a black car in the dark isnt the best viewing but when I get better pics Ill update !!
Here's the deal... I got the brumby back.. with the EA71.. plus a few parts from my orig motor that were needed for change over.. Turns out it didn't fit quite as well as I was lead to believe.. had to transplat the pollution gear, pulleys, oil filler tube e.c.t.. and drill some new holes to bolt it all in.. but finally.. It's back on the road..*fingers crossed* costing me somewhere around $350.. as opposed to the $900 I was quoted to to the heads on the orig... plus the cost of the EA71 so all up $700 or there abouts.. Doesn't sound too crash hot when I put it like that but.. Oh well.. I cant do much about that... I was going to take the orig motor straight to the reco guy but now with all these great ideas I am getting from you wonderful forum people I have a lot more to think about.. still trying to weigh up whats going to get me going and not break the bank...
I will attach a few more pics of the beast for those of you who have requested them
If I can work it out And let you know how I go with my considerations Cheers everyone.. Thanks so much, again.
~Carlie
Pls excuse my terrible attempt at attaching photos.. Im still not quite sure what Im doing and i know they are in the dark photos.. and a black car in the dark isnt the best viewing but when I get better pics Ill update !!
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carlie400
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not my fault
Just a quick note...
Thats not my number plate anymore.. it's HEZMYN now.. as in 'He's MY Ute!' and the mud in all the wheel arches.. wasn't me.. I took those photos the day I brought the car home and the kid who owned it before me apparently just HAD to take it out for one last dirty spin......
~Carlie
Thats not my number plate anymore.. it's HEZMYN now.. as in 'He's MY Ute!' and the mud in all the wheel arches.. wasn't me.. I took those photos the day I brought the car home and the kid who owned it before me apparently just HAD to take it out for one last dirty spin......
~Carlie