Hi Rich!
Is there a trick to get these things open?
They can be a real bear. I see you are struggling with the wrist pins
.. . . try making a tool to fit the end of a slide hammer by grinding
down a bolt head such that you can slide it thru the wrist pin and
then catch the far side. If you have to exert more than moderate force
(_should_ come out with only gentle taps with the slide), you are
probably going to damage the piston/wrist pin/rod/cylinder/???.
I haven't had much success rebuilding these engines; once they have
accumulated enough time to _need_ the rebuild, the cam bearing
surfaces and lifters are usually shot as well. (Plus you can't get the
damned things apart as you have noticed.) I'd suggest trying to find a
serviceable used motor; perhaps even buy a complete car to get one, as
the costs will be pretty similar. The ones with hydraulic lifters
(sticker on the valve cover sez "Do Not Adjust" or somesuch) are
probably more desirable, but really _any_ EA81 will work; you may have
to swap intake manifolds, and possibly the "Y" pipe as some have
different exhaust port hardware. Run a quick compression check before
you drag one home; 120 is good, 140 is great, 90-100 isn't.
Absolutely the best way to go is to convert to the 4WD configuration;
this engine setup doesn't use the POS O2 sensor/electronic carb as
found in many early-mid 80's cars.
I have the factory manuals for at least some of these years. Don't
hesitate to contact me directly if you need info; always happy to help
keep the old DL/GLs rolling along
ByeBye! S.
Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101
