EA81 Overhaul thread

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:28 am

Did I tell you pulled a Mazda engine down completely twice, head off a third and fourth time before I had it beat?

I know your empty feeling, from a few cars over the years actually. Put the clean as donk aside for one of those days you feel inquistive, keep an eye out for other MY's going cheap as a test bed in not your daily driver.

Gotta be glad you are not playing with a Camira

A mate could not hold back on doing a re-ring for a few camira customers. Both ended life shortly after. One customewr went to consumer affairs and got nowhere as he was advised against the job. The other never came to pay the owing balance on the job. Then...we see a sign at a used car dealer "We do not trade Camiras"

Sam, keep us up to date on the next engine won't you?

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:56 pm

Yeah been looking for a parts/test car for a while now, but cheap MY's are few and far between in Adelaide it seems

Still kicking myself I didn't buy that wagon for $300 last year, when I had the money and it was there. Was in decent condition, running and registered but I thought "nah there'll be others"...fatal error there

Unfortunately I won't be able to "be inquisitive" with the old engine, subareck wants exchange. I'm thinking I must have not cleaned the bearing oil passages thoroughly enough, one got blocked and a bearing overheated and failed. Just guessing but that's the only thing I can think of.

Hopefully with this new(ish?) engine I will be able to concentrate and spend money on other parts of the car. It's well overdue for some professional body repairs and a new paintjob...

Post by **TOONGA** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 9:53 pm

thats sad but I would make sure that something on the back of the motor hasnt let go as you said the clutch felt funny when you put it in

TOONGA

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Fri Jul 29, 2011 11:54 pm

I'll give you credit for persistence!

Sorry to hear has not worked out...maybe drop into Rising Sun for some advice & workshop time. I know you are on a budget, but given the $$$ you have sunk into it thus far, maybe a few more will get you there?

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:28 am

Toonga, thought about that too, will have a look when I pull it out on Sunday.
Sven would Rising Sun even bother with such an old bomb?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:47 am

Steve is pretty helpful and knowledgeable from what I have heard and found. Tell him 'we' sent you
I would ask Paul at Subareck about no exchange engine penalty co$t so u could keep the stuff you have spent good money on - like the heads

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 9:36 am

Silverbullet wrote:would Rising Sun even bother with such an old bomb?

Old subi's are a part of his business so yes he would be.

I'm keen for you to do some more investigating before you give up on your project build. Certainly don't be turned off from re-building another engine at some stage!

Cheers

Bennie

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:58 am

Silverbullet wrote: Sven would Rising Sun even bother with such an old bomb?

If you went there wanting the EA81 to preform like a EZ307 for $500, then yes, you will find yourself back on Main North Road fairly smartly.

What I'm saying is stop by the workshop, tell him what you have done, show him your car. He'll have an idea of the cost to rectify it, maybe be cheaper than you think. He has many customers with older cars that he helps keep on the road (including my 38 year old Yamaha!). May even have a EA81 or 6 lying around if yours is completely shagged.

You wouldn't be the first subie owner to take a project to him to sort out!

Subawreck are selling EA81s for around the $700 mark (outright), stick with what you have would be my suggestion.

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:04 pm

Dare I say it, I would like to hear/see a video of the noise, as would others. if it breaks your heart to start it again then don't.

TOONGA

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:34 pm

Interesting about Rising sun, I've never known much about them. If I went in, who would I be looking for? I'm not exactly sure who "he" is

And I would just tell "him" what's happened, maybe show him a video clip yes?

I am getting more and more reluctant to just dump this engine, after all the time and effort that's gone into it. I'll see what it costs to buy the engine outright from subareck but even the trade in price is double what the whole car (with engine) is worth.

Through all this my brother (who had the car before me, now has his 04' WRX) keeps badgering me to just scrap the whole car and get a new one. He just can't understand why I'm even bothering. But for some reason, just the thought of putting the whole car in a crusher makes me weep

Here you go Toonga

Noise is definitely coming from the rear end of the engine, although not as loud in the video as it is in real life.

http://youtu.be/BIUwhwE74iE

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 12:57 pm

Thats one depressing noise, sadly it sounds like a big end knock but it could be gudgen knock as well and yes it is loud I can tell

I take it that the noise is there at any rev and just gets louder

having depressed you even further the flywheel could be flapping around on the crank causing the noise (I wish, you wish)

TOONGA

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 5:05 pm

Silverbullet wrote:Interesting about Rising sun, I've never known much about them. If I went in, who would I be looking for? I'm not exactly sure who "he" is And I would just tell "him" what's happened, maybe show him a video clip yes?

I am getting more and more reluctant to just dump this engine, after all the time and effort that's gone into it. I'll see what it costs to buy the engine outright from subareck but even the trade in price is double what the whole car (with engine) is worth.

Through all this my brother (who had the car before me, now has his 04' WRX) keeps badgering me to just scrap the whole car and get a new one. He just can't understand why I'm even bothering. But for some reason, just the thought of putting the whole car in a crusher makes me weep

Here you go Toonga Noise is definitely coming from the rear end of the engine, although not as loud in the video as it is in real life.

http://youtu.be/BIUwhwE74iE

Saw the clip...oh dear

Steve is who you seek. No point showing a vid - any tradesman worth their salt will want to see it in the flesh.

Goodluck mate.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:14 pm

It has been said the EA81 is bullet proof, maybe not silverbullet proof

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:51 pm

steptoe wrote:It has been said the EA81 is bullet proof, maybe not silverbullet proof

Oh har har!
Have to say that made me laugh though

Sven, this Steve sounds like a top bloke, but what help could I get from him if this motor is so toast? I also won't be able to show him the sound in person; not only is the car not driving with this engine again but I've already stripped it down (under an hour!) ready to pull it out tomorrow.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:12 pm

bloke is spot on. Last time we spoke on the phone I bought his 25mm front sway bar

, I ID myself once again and get a "Aw, g'day bloke" reply

Can we scrub that last line of your sig? think you are jinxin' yerself

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 9:45 pm

Although they are a very indestructable the EA81 were prone to end float and piston becoming oval shaped. Very hard to say what the noise is over the video but if you find a long screwdriver, use it to your ear and try and trace where the most noise is coming from, then report back.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 8:26 am

an empty aluminium can held against that screwdriver is a great amplifier too!

Too late Paul, engine is ready to come out - stripped of the necessary bits

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:06 am

I'll take a guess at a broken rod bolt.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:17 pm

Silverbullet wrote:Oh har har!
Have to say that made me laugh though

Sven, this Steve sounds like a top bloke, but what help could I get from him if this motor is so toast? I also won't be able to show him the sound in person; not only is the car not driving with this engine again but I've already stripped it down (under an hour!) ready to pull it out tomorrow.

Best to talk to him P: 8349 6960

??beach testing is an option

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:55 pm

sven '2' wrote:beach testing is an option

Bench testing could be a better option Sven - the EA81 might mess up the picnic and it's really not the weather for the beach at the moment

Did you replace the pistons (not the con rods, just the head [top] of the piston) or use the old ones? If you've used the old ones this could have been your undoing...

I'm with Toonga in hoping it's the flywheel flapping around - you don't want that to let go!

All the best!

Cheers

Bennie