swapping pistons and rods from one duke to another (Page 1/2)
Daytonaspeed24 AUG 11, 11:38 PM
question for those who know. i had my engine rebuilt a few years ago and i finally got it into the car and she doesnt want to run properly so being at my wits end ( cursed car ) I had a mechanic who works on Fieros come look at it. after thinking I was 180 out he changed the wires same problem he switched them back the identical thing was happening which is strange. what he is thinking the engine guy put the cam gear out one tooth.
so whatever I am piseed i provided all the parts skirted pistons, moly rings, moly bearings new cam bearings ect. I havent opened up the engine yet to see if I can find the Problem. but I think i was ripped off . The engine guy said half of my gasket kit didnt work ( red flag) I should have opened it up to see if my parts were in there .
ok now for my question
CAN i SWAP PISTONS AND RODS FROM ONE DUKE TO ANOTHER or are the rods matched with the crankshaft. I know whatever the size of bore ill need new rings or have a real machine shop hone for the size of rings. i think im 20 over?? i cant remember but he told me what to order.
if the bore is ok on the other block i can change the rings and bearings if they are standard.
I just cant seem to find any info on using pistons and rods from one block to another
hope this makes sense
THANKS
Patrick AUG 11, 11:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by Daytonaspeed24:

CAN i SWAP PISTONS AND RODS FROM ONE DUKE TO ANOTHER...



Your post is a little puzzling. What is it you're hoping to gain with this swap?
jelly2m8 AUG 12, 12:06 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Your post is a little puzzling. What is it you're hoping to gain with this swap?



And a bit extreme, Think it's a cam timing issue, lets swap pistons and rods instead.....
Daytonaspeed24 AUG 12, 12:30 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Your post is a little puzzling. What is it you're hoping to gain with this swap?



SORRY IM HARD TO UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES , WHAT WAS SUGGESTED THAT i CHANGE MOTORS IN MY CAR. THE 2 THAT WERE FOUND A 84 AND A 86 ARE HIGH MILEAGE SITTING FOR ALONG TIME.
IF THOSE BLOCKS ARE OK CAN I PUT MY NEW PISTONS AND RODS FROM MINE INTO THE OTHER. UNLESS OF COURSE IF MINE ARE DAMAGED ITS MUTE.
JUST WANT TO KNOW IF PISTONS AND RODS CAN BE TRANSFERED FROM ONE TO THE OTHER
THANKS FOR THE REPLY
Daytonaspeed24 AUG 12, 12:40 AM

quote
Originally posted by jelly2m8:


And a bit extreme, Think it's a cam timing issue, lets swap pistons and rods instead.....



I WAS TOLD TO FIND ANOTHER ENGINE ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS IF I CAN PUT MY PISTON AND RODS INTO THE OTHER ENGINE IF I NEED TO AND IF THEY ARENT DESTROYED OF COURSE. TRUST IN OTHERS WHO TOUCH MY CAR IS AT A LOW point right now and im tired of wasting time so here I am trying to get information from the people who know these.
But while we are talking cam timing thats what this fella said is the most probable issue ( I wouldnt know) would that damage the cam.
Patrick AUG 12, 12:49 AM

quote
Originally posted by Daytonaspeed24:

i had my engine rebuilt a few years ago and i finally got it into the car and she doesnt want to run properly so being at my wits end ( cursed car ) I had a mechanic who works on Fieros come look at it. after thinking I was 180 out he changed the wires same problem he switched them back the identical thing was happening which is strange. what he is thinking the engine guy put the cam gear out one tooth.



You have a rebuilt engine that won't run, possibly due to the cam gear being out one tooth... and you want to tear the engine apart and transfer the pistons and rods into an old engine?

Honestly, I'm not trying to be nasty... but this makes absolutely no sense.

As long as the pistons and cylinders are the same size (one or the other not over-sized)... sure, you can swap them over. That's based on the assumption that those pistons have zero hours on them. The rods can be swapped as well, as long as the rod bearings match the size of the crankpin journals.

However, I think you need a competent mechanic to have a look at the situation before you do anything further.

Where are you located in Alberta? There might be a forum member local to you who could help set you straight.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-12-2023).]

jelly2m8 AUG 12, 12:49 AM

quote
Originally posted by Daytonaspeed24:


I WAS TOLD TO FIND ANOTHER ENGINE ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS IF I CAN PUT MY PISTON AND RODS INTO THE OTHER ENGINE IF I NEED TO AND IF THEY ARENT DESTROYED OF COURSE. TRUST IN OTHERS WHO TOUCH MY CAR IS AT A LOW point right now and im tired of wasting time so here I am trying to get information from the people who know these.
But while we are talking cam timing thats what this fella said is the most probable issue ( I wouldnt know) would that damage the cam.



And that is what we are trying to do here, before going through what is an Engine rebuild, Find what is causing your issue first because the route you are told, you very well may carry the problem over to the new engine. If a Cam timing issue is a possibility, it is easy to remove the balancer and timing cover in the car and verify that first.
jelly2m8 AUG 12, 01:03 AM
Maybe restart with ' It isn't running properly' and leave the rods and pistons out of it. How is it not running properly? No power? bad idle? making a noise? what's it actually doing or not doing.
olejoedad AUG 12, 07:54 AM
If your 'Fiero mechanic' thought the distributor was out 180°, simply changing the plug wires around won't solve that problem.

The distributor needs to be removed and reinstalled after rotating the crank one turn.

Pull #1 plug, rotate the engine bring #1 piston up to TDC on compression stroke, look at the distributor flag. Is it pointing at the #1 plug wire?

If the 'Fiero mechanic' advised you to get another engine, I would question his advice.
Daytonaspeed24 AUG 12, 12:12 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Daytonaspeed24:

Thanks everyone
my panic is im moving and dont have time i needed it to run
ill just have to figure out what to do next.