Evening gang... FIRST POST !!!... ( finally got approved and my puter allowed me to log-in AOK ) Whew!

Names Rob, I am 6'-5" inches TALL and just fit in my 86' Fiero because it has the glass sunroof, the first time I got in the thing I whacked my head on the roof (same as the Lamborhinig Countach I once sat in) OUCH !!! (wont do that again) hahaha...

I am restoring my 1986 SE with 157k miles on its iron duke and Isuzu 5-speed from head to toe and doing some crazy modifications to the body in the form of a full sub-frame and chopping the roof off the thing to make it a convertible with a bikini top and a removable hard-top.

I just bought a NEW Millermatic 251 MIG-welder for $1,700 So I really needed a FUN project that involved welding and I LOVE how the Fiero's body is so UNIVERSAL and can be made into just about anything from an exotic car to a trike... WILD !!!

I have only had this Fiero a few months and it's at about the 50% range in the documented rustoratoin, I have an older gentlman that owns a Junkyard that lets me take just about anything I want for FREE so thats a big PLUS+ and there is two Fiero's coming in SOON that I have already bought for $100 each sight-un-seen for parts or future projects... and ones a GT! Whoo Hoo!

Instead of blabbering you can see it here...

=http://www.ammoman.com/fiero]http://www.ammoman.com/fiero

DAY ONE IN THE DRIVEWAY ! (all rust hidden under urethane and fiberglas of course)

And as of yesterday... ( Note the missing strut-towers and trimmed clean rockers under the doors) all will be replaced by ME.. )

Here is what came out of and from the insides of both rockers under the doors...

Dont CRY, It can all go back together... hahaha

GLAD TO BE HERE !

Regards
Rob

[This message has been edited by BERKELUSA (edited 07-25-2005).]

I was unaware you could seperate the engine compartment from the frame rails that cleanly

This is a good example of the RUST up front that should amaze some of you.. All in a days Fiero !

is that a shock?, Ok well it WAS a shock.. 20 years ago maybe..

Yep the rear frame rails are seperate from the trunk area, On each end of the trunk is a scrap of tin spot-welded to the side of the rail at each end (height adjustment) and across the back is a longer strip too, Besides the side panels for the wells that are tin also its the only thing holding the thinner tin body to the thicker main rails below it..

Those 2 rails seen in a brown temporary primer are fairly strong on thier own too, The jack under the back of the cradle is just there to assist in the weight so it doesnt bend them over time.., I hardly think it would anyways.. very strong, boxed and lotta curves to it there..

The strut-towers are only spot-welded in about 25 places on each side... ( The Dog-bone side is a little harder to get out ), You can see the rust that was between the main rails and the towers in this picture.. and a few pull-holes from the air-chisel where the tin was paper thin...

The engine at this point could come right out the back with NO lifting of the body up and over it to get it out of the way.. It's GONE !

Regards, Rob

[This message has been edited by BERKELUSA (edited 04-23-2005).]

That's an impressive introduction Rob. Welcome! We love pics.

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quote Originally posted by paulcal: That's an impressive introduction Rob. Welcome! We love pics.

Thanks Paul.. It just wouldnt be the internet without good pics !!

Here is my "12" wife that puts up with the TOYS and buys me TOOLS.. Can you say.. KEEPER !

I also have a few other projects.. Let me drop some links.. ( Can I put this in my profile? )

Dont miss my "other" projects..
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My 1931 Chevrolet Hotrod TUB... ( 360 pages )
http://www.ammoman.com/chevy

My Red Baron 250cc Chopper Project... ( 20 pages )
http://www.ammoman.com/chopper

My daily driver is a 1986 Pontiac Fiero ( about 15 pages )
http://www.ammoman.com/Fiero

The sandblaster I designed that NEVER CLOGS ! (as sold on ebay 4 years+ and patented to me)
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=esche10276

Regards.. Rob
berkelusa@hotmail.com

quote Originally posted by BERKELUSA: Thanks Paul.. It just wouldnt be the internet without good pics !! Here is my "12" wife that puts up with the TOYS and buys me TOOLS.. Can you say.. KEEPER ! I also have a few other projects.. Let me drop some links.. ( Can I put this in my profile? ) Dont miss my "other" projects..

Damn your wife is only 12 years old? Could've fooled me.

I'm happy to see you are restoring that Fiero, but with all that rust I wouldn't even think about it. Here in the states you could pick up Fiero's from $400 up.

quote I'm happy to see you are restoring that Fiero, but with all that rust I wouldn't even think about it. Here in the states you could pick up Fiero's from $400 up.

Here in the states?, I'm in manchester new hampshire USA.. hahaha

Hey no guts no glory right !

The rust really didnt matter as I am making it a convertible and adding a sub-frame front to rear, I have already done it before to a Chevette (20 years ago that is) and the rockers would have been trimmed out either way and replaced as I will ADD steel tubing inside them at the same time.., The strut towers will be only partially used and the trunk wont be replaced by anything but new steel.. as in 1/8" wall tubing and square/rectangular stuff.., Very little of the rear inner steel structure will be original and the engine will be more accessible not to mention stronger.., Oh Did I mention the 5" stretch and roll-bar behind the cabin?

Wife is 35, I am 37, She's a "12" im my book.. (Craftsman catalog)

Can you adjust that quote so my picture isnt there twice? hahaha TY!

Rob

[This message has been edited by BERKELUSA (edited 04-23-2005).]

Cool! I'm over in Vermont, maby some time on my way down through Manchester I can check out your project?

Also, I took a look at your E-bay page, from your feedback it sounds like you have some good plans there. I am in the middle of restoring a '65 Econoline pickup that will need some media blasting all around. I am going to bid on your plans and check them out!! I have a old pressure tank type sandblaster that works OK but I am curious to see your system!

Brian

quote Originally posted by VTfiero: Cool! I'm over in Vermont, maby some time on my way down through Manchester I can check out your project? Also, I took a look at your E-bay page, from your feedback it sounds like you have some good plans there. I am in the middle of restoring a '65 Econoline pickup that will need some media blasting all around. I am going to bid on your plans and check them out!! I have a old pressure tank type sandblaster that works OK but I am curious to see your system! Brian

Sure I'm always open to see other Fiero's, So if you bring a pickup or something the answers NO hahaha

You can even see the prototype sandblaster that started it ALL, I use that blaster every day... ROCKS !

It was actually a mistake i made that "took off" over a year ago and has now sold over 400 copies of the prints online..

The reality about Ebay is DONT BE GREEDY and make it something ORIGINAL that you sell.., Dont steal someone elses ideas//, Keep it REAL !

It also comes with a membership to my hidden Yahoo Groups page of over 60 or so members..

You get to see ALL the versions they made from all sorts of storage tanks sugguested by them and me in my plans..

Rob

[This message has been edited by BERKELUSA (edited 04-23-2005).]

WOW!!!!
Never seen rust like that here in sunny CA. Too bad. You can find many rust free Fiero's in these parts on the cheap if you are wiling to travel and/or have the time rather than restore a rust bucket. Good luck!

Absolutley amazing post. I thouroughly enjoyed following it! Once I really got into my first Fiero, an 84, and found all the same kind of rust - I basically wrote it off! Full marks to you on going ahead and building the car of your dreams. The pictures are great. Given your ability, I can see this build thread going the same way that BubbajoeXXX is going. Good luck!

There is a roadster project thread here somewhere that shows the rear framework well. If you are not into a show resto, you may consider the same type of construction. Probably easier at your stage and very strong. Especially if you're whacking the roof at some point.

*** added link https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/039369.html

Nice work, BTW

[This message has been edited by FieroBUZZ (edited 04-24-2005).]

quote Originally posted by gaas88: Absolutley amazing post. I thouroughly enjoyed following it! Once I really got into my first Fiero, an 84, and found all the same kind of rust - I basically wrote it off! Full marks to you on going ahead and building the car of your dreams. The pictures are great. Given your ability, I can see this build thread going the same way that BubbajoeXXX is going. Good luck!

Thank you very much.. all of you..

Who and how do I see BubbajoeXXX ride?

Was there a post in the vicinity?

Rob

Thanks Buzz for the mention. When I reframed the rear I left the strut towers attached to the lower frame so I didn't lose the alignment.

quote Originally posted by Crow: When I reframed the rear I left the strut towers attached to the lower frame so I didn't lose the alignment.

Gotcha Crow, I marked the positioning of them directly on the frame rails and have all the measurements, Wont be a problem at this end.. Just gotta clean them up and re-frame the whole rear area in round, square and rectangular tubing..

Possibly only the tops of the towers will be used and it will be 3/16ths plate and tubing holding them in position as these towers are paper thin at the base.., But main rails are aok.. ( I'll be splitting them open to to clean out the history stored inside them ), Maybe I'll find a time capsule with a bright red Michael Jackson Jacket inside the things??? hahaha

If anything the spot welds that were drilled out are also a dead-give-away as to where they went too.., Just use some Clecko's

Have NO FEAR !, MILLERMATIC IS HERE !

Rob

Update on the extremely rotted rockers and the repairs.. Too EASY !

http://ammoman.com/fiero/Rotted9.htm

Regards
Rob

quote Originally posted by BERKELUSA: Update on the extremely rotted rockers and the repairs.. Too EASY ! http://ammoman.com/fiero/Rotted9.htm Regards Rob

Looks like you know your rust Funny oil change comparison!

Good reading & welcome!

well that certainly is ONE way to remove your rear clip.......

so what are you putting in place of the rockers then? i really want to know, cause i am about to do all of what you are doing to my car. (with the exception of i dont have to worry about any rust, cause my car is from california where NOTHING rusts......)

EDIT: please consider getting rid of that nasty 4 banger for something with a little more character and finesse

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Brandon Edmonds

1996 Taurus SHO (my baby)
1986 Ford EXP (goin bye-bye soon hopefully)
1986 Fiero (to be my street rocket)
1977 yamaha xs750-2D (in pieces right now, doesnt appear that it will be done for summer, unfortunately)

[This message has been edited by Flyguyeddy (edited 04-26-2005).]

Not sure yet on the engine.., I'll let you know when the body is ready, frame stretched, subframe done, roof chopped etc, Plenty to do before an engine swap on this one.. and I have two more Fiero's on the way so no need to buy little parts when they just might be on the other two that I am getting FREE, There has just got to be a V6 in the mix between the two.. that would be the GT, If the others a 4 yeah sure maybe the 4.9 in the GT then the 6-cyl in this one.. Just dont want to "jump the gun" at the moment and spend $ on something I might own already and dont even know whats in them..

Eventually I will have a GT and the convertible, The two coming were only $100 each (towing charge) and yes one of them IS a GT, The other will be for parts in the two that I want to keep..., Bought them sight-un-seen and should be here in a week or so..

I am not looking for a dragster 4.9 in the convertible, But if one comes along dont think I would say NO to FREE as it bolts to my Isuzu 5 and I can weld pretty-good after 20 years and just recently getting this for $1,700.00 (let me brag a little ok?)

Yeah I'm sure that me-meyself would rather have the eco-box 4-banger than the gas-guzzler 8-cyl, But I read a ton of good mileage reports on the 4.9 and since I work at a Junkyard and anything engine/transmission wise is FREE I have a world of options to consider..

(they crush it all for weight and all I would pay for is just that.. the engine by what it "weighs" as in about 60.cents a pound)

Yep I live in the ROT-BELT of the usa.. gotta love what 19 winters can do to a cars rockers out here.., Not a big deal, It all adds to making the car what you want it to be in the first place, IF only one of us out here in every 20 people restored one like I do there would be more on the road and less crushed in the junkyards.., I myself have crushed more newer cars than you could think of !, But I save each and every single Fiero, Even if it gets stuffed out back where nobody will find it.. its safe from the crusher...

Just got these in so that should help with any dried-up 20+ year old rubber...
http://ammoman.com/fiero/Rotted10.htm

PS: I repair rockers on cars and trucks all the time and get about $300 a side to rust-ore them, Thats what paid for the Millermatic 251 !

Rob

that is quite the nice welder! now all you need is a spool gun so you can make your own sheet metal aluminum manifolds

anyway, are you running some .120 wall box tubing where the rockers once were? i am not sure of the wall thickness to use when i do this with my own car.

btw, i am just learning how to weld. my welds work, but there not pretty by any means. i gotta work on that....(my dad calls them "gorilla" welds)

Thanks Ed.., The spool gun for aluminum on my machine is like $600, Yeah would be a nice addition !, Rarely do I weld aluminum tho.. so thats an expense that could go into the Fiero instead.. hahaha

OH yeah!!, Here is a new page on my poor "under skin" rusted Fiero again..

http://www.ammoman.com/fiero/Rotted12.htm

She's actually starting to clean UP ! (about time)

Anyone have some used dry-cracked rubber lower inner front control arm bushings cheap?

All I need is the steel sleeve that goes around the rubber, The rubber will be melted out of the casing and replaced with Urethane

Would you believe that it actually drove AOK?? hahaha

Thanks !

Rob

[This message has been edited by BERKELUSA (edited 05-04-2005).]