Gen-Z-Garage : Episode 15 - Engine Disassembly Part 1 & Fiero Accessory Upgrades! (Page 1/1)
82-T/A [At Work] DEC 26, 11:26 PM
Hey guys, this is the 15th video in my daughter's restoration series. In this video she strips the long block and removes the cyl head. We're a couple of videos behind (she's already totally torn down the motor) and likely will try to rebuild the motor herself if my bore scope tells me that the engine clearance is within spec.

In this video, she goes through a few things, but also talks about the different OEM / factory-style upgrades you can make for the alternator, starter, and AC compressor.

Once again, thank you everyone who watches the video and comments, she really appreciates it and is really proud of what she's accomplished thus far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bCEqJBdhTo
Stingray92 DEC 27, 03:42 PM
Looks like you've got a good apprentice, just remember stubborn bolts need penetrating oil, heat and a little persuasion to not break. FYI, I rarely use breaker bars, I hate breaking things....

Stingray
Rodrv6 DEC 28, 10:25 AM
I'm loving seeing these videos! Too many young people these days don't have any desire to actually get their hands dirty!

------------------
Rod Schneider, Ball Ground, Ga.
"You can't have too many toys!"
1988 Fiero GT
1988 Porsche 928S4
1987 Corvette
2016 Mustang EcoBoost
Van's RV-6 airplane

LT188GT DEC 29, 03:42 PM
By the time his Daughter has the car back on the road again, it's possible that Todd learned enough to do his own Fiero.
If not he can always have his Daughter show him what to do.
Villain DEC 29, 06:48 PM
I responded under larrys video, if yall ever need anything i’m in central florida, you can reach me easier on my cell or email,
BingB DEC 31, 01:48 PM
It is every fathers dream to have a child share his passion. You are truly blessed.

I would upgrade to the newer style oil sender unit. I have heard different people who had problems with that part. Just need to wire in a different 3 point plug.

In fact, if I ever went to the trouble to tear my engine down like that I would do a lot of upgrades, but I am guessing this job is more about dependability than performance.

I am not going to go back and watch all 15 episodes, but I am curious about what you did with the ignition system. That seems to be where most gremlins reside in 40 year old cars.

[This message has been edited by BingB (edited 12-31-2023).]

82-T/A [At Work] JAN 07, 03:36 PM
Thanks guys for the comments! Sorry I didn't reply sooner but was out for a couple of weeks.

Yeah, it's been a great project for daughter / father bonding. She has tons of hobbies that keep her busy daily... but this was something I wanted to do because I felt she wanted / needed the exposure to working on a car. One of her interests is TV / video production, so she has that going for her in other areas, and it's the primary reason why she's putting these on YouTube... along with the opportunity to use that as an engineering project to help her get into a good school (shows engineering diversity and drive). The grumpy part is that when all is said and done, I'll probably have put ~$25k into this car. It'll realistically be a brand new car... to put it mildly. Every part, component, and surface will have been cleaned, restored, or replaced. At the end of the day though, I don't view it so much as a $25k Fiero that's now worth ~$5,000... I view it as an educational cost where she literally learned to rebuild / restore a car all herself. I no longer have to tell her "how" to remove something. It used to be that I'd have to tell her which way the screw would turn, and what the tools were called. Now I just point to something and she does it entirely herself. I only stop her when I need her to pause, think, and consider how what she's about to do might injure her or break something she doesn't want to break. Other than that... I don't do any of it, except guide her as to what she should focus on next. Even to that point, I used to point out every bolt. Now I can literally point to the A/C compressor and she'll remove all the bolts, brackets, and everything herself. So she's been learning quick.

Stingray, I think we're going to try to remove the bolt ourselves first. I'll take your advice. I have a propane torch, so I'll use that and heat it up. I'll have her clean the surface first with scotch bright and hit it with penetrating oil, etc. Hopefully that works.

Thanks Rodrv6, I appreciate it!

Clem, totally! We've actually started from the back since we want to tackle the engine as quickly as possible, but when I was restoring my Fiero, I started from the front and ended at the back. So it's mostly a learning experience for both of us. But if I can get her car done in the next 6-months or so... (which is the plan to get it running / driving and registered), then we'll move on to my Fiero.

Villain, if you're available, my daughter mentioned to me wanting to interview you like she did to Larry. Let me know if you think that's something she can do. I showed her pictures of the cars you've worked on, and she would love to check it out. Let me know if that's cool.

BingB, haven't really tackled it yet, but there's a couple of options we might look at:
- First would be at a minimum... everything would be brand new. New coil, rebuilt distributor (which she'll do a separate video on), new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc., and setting the timing.
- Second would be at a minimum for upgrades to install the MSD 6EFI ignition box, which works directly with the ECM and distributor to help smooth out the ignition and reduce timing fluctuations.
- Third possible option, would be to install an 88 or 87 engine in there that will allow me to take advantage of the DIS ignition. If I go that route, I'll probably have her use a MicroSquirt. But that seems like a lot of cost / effort for something that I think the MSD 6EFI would likely solve. With a good running Duke where all the contacts / leads / everything is running well... timing is less of an issue.


Thanks guys. She's 2 videos behind, so we'll probably post another one this coming weekend.