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| First Fiero experiences and what lead me to start a 3800sc swap (Page 1/4) |
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Gunganking
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JUN 29, 12:00 AM
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Hey guys Gungan here. (If you know Star Wars that’s where the name came from)
I’ve been a forum reader for a while but never really joined. Was usually able to gather most information when I wanted it as a guest. But today’s the day I joined, that’s because before I’ve never owned a Fiero, until a few months ago. This thread is go to be about what I’ve experienced so far and future plans
This past March, I finally pulled the trigger on buying a Fiero. I fell in love with Fieros in high school after first seeing a white fastback GT, and I didn’t even know what it was back then. I had an itch for a little project, something to tinker on. My buddy found a Fiero for sale about 4 hours south from me. We hopped in my truck the next day with a dolly to check it out. Little did I know it was going to be doing a lot more than “tinkering”
It’s an 86 GT 4 speed Had 147k miles on it. Supposedly sitting for two years, but evidence later on makes me think it was longer, but who knows Didn’t run. Underbody and truck were super clean. Only a small rust hole in the drivers wheel well and in the passenger wheel well as well. Nothing to be worried about. Floor pans clean. (Yes I know there are people who say I towed it wrong. Since it’s a manual don’t have to worry about lack of lubrication, and it handled very well on the 4 hour drive back) Got home, went on eBay and ordered a service manual for it.
(Little did I know that next day at work I was to be temporarily laid off due to COVID)
Took a few days to actually tinker with it but I started with getting it running. I got a cheap battery for it and went to work. Found out I didn’t have spark. Noticed I didn’t have Tach signal while cranking. Perfect that’s where to start, with the ignition system. Ohmed our the coil, perfect. Next onto the pesky ICM and pickup coil. I was 99%sure it was an ICM at this time but wanted to double check because a bad pickup will cause the problem. Took the distributor cap off, boom green goblins in the connector for the pickup coil. Cleaned up the pins and rechecked. Now have tach signal while cranking. Perfect! Little did I know this will bite me in the ass later on. Plugged the coil back in, car fired right up up. OH MAN THAT WAS EASY. This is where the trouble started... I knew the brakes were sketchy. Had a stuck caliper in the front but was able to be freed up. Hopped in it to putz around in, POP there goes a brake line. Ugh okay. Let me try limp it around. Put it in first, Let the clutch out, car only creeps. Rev it up and car doesn’t move any faster, the clutch is smoked on this thing. Aw maaaaan. Found out why the PO parked the car... Now I gotta put a clutch in this thing in my driveway????? Over the next 2.5 months this was my project.
It’s getting late and will continue the story tomorrow  [img]http://images.fieroforum.com/userimag es/Gunganking/9DDD12CA-F123-4056-9005-D390668C4DBF.jpeg[/img] [This message has been edited by Gunganking (edited 07-05-2020).]
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Gall757
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JUN 29, 08:37 AM
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Gunganking
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JUN 29, 07:10 PM
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Thanks Gall! 
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Gunganking
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JUN 29, 09:53 PM
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So when I got the Fiero running, I had a list of problems that I noted down to take care of
First things first.
- Needs new battery tray
-Clutch needed replaced
-Brake lines
-Fuel gauge inop
-Coolant temp gauge inop
*cooling fans did turn on
-A/C inop
-Code 33 would pop up from time to time
I did some research and figured out I would do some repairs while the engine was out, like solid cradle bushings from Rodney. Also I picked up some poly engine mounts off of Facebook Marketplace. Got a clutch from RockAuto, the molded brake lines and braided steel hoses from The Fiero Store, as well as their fuel sending units. I also ordered a new fuel pump just to be safe. Also got a coolant temp sender, and while doing research I came across the mod to stop the pegging of the coolant temp gauge on cranking. I would perform that mod later. Code 33 I thought would be resolved by a leaking EGR feed tube. So I ordered one of those as well.
Next was to drop the cradle. Had to go out and buy some new heavier weight jack stands and borrowed a friends cherry picker. And just started ripping and tearing. First time pulling and took me 4-5 hours.  
Now it’s time to go through everything since the engine is out. And found a few problems
-slave cylinder bracket was broken.
-alternator bracket was cracked.
*along with the lower mounting bolt threads stripped from the alternator, needing a nut on the backside.
-3 exhaust manifold bolts were broken. 2 on the firewall side, 1 on the back side.
A/C was inop due to the rubber line on the firewall was cut
-Valve covers leaking oil.
-Axle seals leaking oil.
I tore everything apart and split the engine and trans on the parents trailer
Great way to work but that’s what I have to work with at home
I took apart the clutch and found another unexpected problem. Not only was the clutch smoked, the flywheel was really really worn as well
For the sake of time. I was able to source an almost new flywheel from a friend, and on that note. I was able to find another A/C line and compressor from a guy local to me who actually has a 3800sc swap Fiero.
I will update the story more tomorrow
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Dennis LaGrua
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JUN 29, 10:28 PM
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Good luck on the swap and welcome to the forum. As for the 30+ yr old 147K mile transmission, its probably a bit worn; I would go over that and make sure that all of the bearings are tight and in good shape. ------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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theogre
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JUN 30, 08:38 AM
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sourmash
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JUN 30, 09:09 AM
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You can use wood instead.
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MarkS
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JUN 30, 09:11 AM
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Just an FYI, the V6 flywheels prior to 1988 are not neutral balance, the engines prior to 1988 are external balance. Make sure the flywheel you get is from a car prior to 1988 otherwise, vibration problems. Your making great progress! 
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Gunganking
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JUN 30, 09:39 AM
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Thank you for the concerns Dennis and Ogre, I quickly learned that lesson when I got chewed out by multiple people  I lowered the vehicle down on just the jack stands positioned on the rear frame rails without bricks to support them, thenused Sourmash’s method when I reinstalled the engine later on.
Mark the flywheel I later installed was from a pre-88 engine, I was wondering why only new 88 flywheels were available but luckily a friend came through with one of his 
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Gunganking
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JUN 30, 09:45 AM
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Doing Stuff Like This Can Kill You! 
