The cam was going to be my first choice. I guess I can get the grinder out and do some work on other parts. The exhaust manifold is already ported, but I don't think it is matched. I am tempted to cut into the Y-pipe to get things flowing better, too.

cut the Y and put a T3 flange on it

I just started taking off the Y-pipe and the connection where the lower pipe meets the cat converter was not a tight one. I sure hope that wasn't the cause of my "knock."

Of course, the low oil pressure wouldn't be caused by that. I'll keep pulling things off to get this 3.4 ready.

I wonder how hard it is to find the lower half of the Y-pipe for an '88? I guess it's time to post over in the Mall!

Since I don't have two engine stands, I started today by pulling both balancers, water pumps and timing chain covers.

I noticed that the chain on the old 2.8 is much looser than the new 3.4. I also noticed the difference in chains. The 2.8 has all the link pieces staggered (9-deep) and the 3.4 has them double-stacked twice (not staggered across the width of the chain).

Could a loose timing chain cause the noise I was hearing - I wonder? If so, I may rebuild it instead of trashing it.

Pics to come later.

Go back and take another look at the oil you drained. That should answer your question.

Joe

quote Originally posted by josef644: Go back and take another look at the oil you drained. That should answer your question. Joe

Did you see the video I posted of that oil?

I wont have DSL here till December 1st. I stay away from streaming .
Joe

The oil I pulled didn't have any metal pieces in it, but the oil had a really cool cloudy glimmer to it. Maybe that means this engine is rebuildable? I guess a check on the oil pump would help me figure it out, too. If that's bad, then perhaps the engine can be rebuilt. Once the 3.4 is in, I'll tear down the 2.8 to see how the bearings look.

As much as I didn't want to take the engine out, it sure is theraputic to get out in the garage and turn some bolts!

i think u should just give me that old broken 2.8

I'm back!

I have got the 2.8 off the cradle and most of the parts are on the 3.4 now. It shouldn't be too long.

I created my own tool for taking out the square-tool plug out of one of the heads. It goes something like this



The 3.4 is really clean - except for a little corrosion on the end posts because someone at Jasper got lazy and cut the intake gasket when they put hte pushrods on too soon. Dumb-ezzes...




I also got one of these today since the 2.8 adapter is too small to fit the 1/4" hole at the oil filter



Here's what I have been inhaling most of the afternoon. I'll probably wake up with a headache. (By the way, this is the first time I have used this parts cleaner since I bought it from a member here - and the damn pump doesn't even flow. Thanks!)



Man that lower intake is nasty! Is there any way to remove/replace that heat/splash shield under the lower intake? Time to get the oven cleaner and pressure washer out!

So, I have kinda neglected this thread, but the 3.4 is about ready to go back on the cradle. Since I pulled the old 2.8 off the trans while it was still bolted to the cradle, it will be a bit harder to get the engine back in place.

Here she sits now waiting to get back on the fresh cradle







I know I still need to put the torque converter on the trans first, then get the engine and trans back together (which is tough when the trans is still on the cradle), then tighten the flexplate to the torque converter while the whole assembly sits on the dolly.

Even tougher is getting the engine brace tightened down on the engine mount. There is no room to reach in and tighten them together because the 3.4 oil pan is filling the gap. I have to attach the mount to the brace before putting it on the engine. I guess it is best to have them all attached to the engine so I can just drop it all into the two engine mount holes on the cradle.

That brings me to a question. I got my engine brace on the front of the engine without any modification. Yes - a 3.4 oil pan on the 88 engine bracket without cutting. I didn't think it worked that way. Anyway, it just touches the brace, but doesn't interfere with any bolts. All four go in just fine. Here is a shot of the mount already attached in a test-fitting before the engine mount goes on:





So, now I need to grind down the corner of the bellhousing. I have it marked for the cut in the pic below.



If this looks wrong to anyone, please let me know. I have a cutting wheel, but I don't think that will last through the entire angled cut. I have the air compressor, but I guess I need to go get a grinder tool for this one. I know the final cut should look like this



I'm off to bed for now, but I should be back in the garage tomorrow for more fun. I hope to have this thing back in within a week.

BTW, this Jasper engine is the real thing - made obvious by the red Jasper sticker and this one. I pulled the warning labels off the oil pan already.



Say, does anyone know how much fluid the torque converter should have in it? I lost a bunch in the removal and want to fill her up.

Say, if anyone knows of someone wanting to trade a 3800SC Fiero for a stock one with a 3.4, let me know. I have a bunch of other things to throw in, like the Chase Race roll bar; a rebuilt Getrag and some conversion parts like cables, shifter and slave; and some other stuff to offer. I just really want a nice 3800SC - and NO Lambo-doors . If I had that, I'd probably sell the V8 Fino and just enjoy having one project.

Thanks!

Andrew

Saxman, the transmission pump will fill the converter when you start it. Dont pour it in the converter and try to stab it on . It will spill everywhere. Just make sure you keep the dipstick full. And keep your eye on it for a while. But to answer your question its about 3 quarts or so.
Joe

Engine is ON the cradle! Wahoo!

I'm getting the rest of the intake on and wires plugged in - so I hope to be driving her on the weekend.

I started to put the middle intake on with the fuel injectors/rail attached, but the O-rings were binding. I will put a little oil on them and install them separately from the intake to see if that helps. On the 3.4 injectors, there is a black band above the O-rings that helps push them down and two of the bands keep coming free.

More to come. We're getting close now!

My youngest has been in the hospital with pneumonia since Friday. I hope he gets to come home tomorrow!

I want my little one back - and to get this car back together!

Saxman, praying for your little one.
Joe

quote Originally posted by josef644: Saxman, praying for your little one. Joe

Thanks, Joe. I'm beside him now. I think he will be home tomorrow where he belongs. It will be great when he is old enough to be out in the GARAGE with me!

IT"S ALIVE! I'm a member of the 3.4 club now. Wahoo!

After a few issues when I finally got the engine back in ( https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/096414.html ), she is finally cruisin'. I only took her around the neighborhood so far, but she feels pretty good.

Soooooo - there is a squeeky/annoying rattle/squeek coming from the exhaust. I can see the catalytic converter bouncing up and down. I don't remember any type of exhause hanger there, but it sure needs one now. It's one of those embarrassing sounds you make fun of when you hear it coming from the car beside you - ya know?

There is also a sligh miss. I can just hear the low bass-drum sounding hits coming out of the exhaust pipe. I plan to run some fuel injector cleaner through to see if that helps. These injectors have 130k on them even though the engine only has 1,500 miles. We'll see.

I think the vibrations I feel at idle are coming from that shaking cat converter, so I will not address it just yet. Once I got the auto tranny filled completely, she stopped going into neutral in the sharp corners

I'll take her for a spin tomorrow after I get the insurance turned back on - in between pulling an engine with MarineFiero, taking it to his place and putting it in the 87 he just bought. We have just the weekend to do it. I think we will be fine. Cold - but fine.

Thanks for the help, Everyone. There has been some great advice given here. Without you guys, this car would have been intentionally set on fire months ago!

Cheers to you all!

Andrew

(as I stated on another thread)
I am so mad - so please give me a second here...

Godd**n, MF'n, Piece of ***, sum Bit**, a**hole, idiot, ********, ******, *******, ***, ******, ****-***** and a few other choice words for myself.

There - now that I have expressed myself, let me now admit that I put the damn WEIGHTED flexplate on the 3.4 instead of the neutral-balanced wheel.

In my defense, the side of the plate facing away from the engine does not have the weight on it, so I must have just grabbed it thinking it had none. The weight is (naturally) on the back. I just crawled under there to look. I am so pi**ed!

It's 8 hours to drop the cradle and re-do it by my calculations. I can't do it by dropping part of the cradle because the auto trans is way to hard to maneuver.

What a way to learn a lesson!

I won't have time to switch plates until January 1 unless something strange happens before then. I'll let you know how it goes.

*********!

Andrew

d**m dude, that sucks.... just crack it a little bit and take a chissel to the weight :P

but no, that realy does suck

quote Originally posted by hookdonspeed: just crack it a little bit and take a chissel to the weight :P (

Believe me - I took a good look at it, but the weight looks like it was cast into the metal - not welded. I'll look again.

Did I mention, "Aaaaarghhh!"

[This message has been edited by Saxman (edited 12-15-2008).]

New goal - get this done before we (MD, VA, DE and NJ people) all meet up in January!

lol, my goal is to get my suspention done before then....yep, still not done *sigh*

...

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 12-17-2008).]

quote Originally posted by mattwa: ...

Yeah - what he said!

Well, I just got the cradle out so that I can put the neutral-balanced flywheel in there instead of the one with the HUGE weight on it! I only looked at one side before putting it in...

Anyway, I'm about to crack the engine away from the auto trans. I hope to have it all done before a bunch of us meet up in DC on the 25th.

Here are some shots of today's work:

Before the drop started




She's up!


I may be paranoid, but two sets of jacks, the floor jack and the tires under the rear end make me feel better about crawling underneath


My girl came in to help me out




One for the "standing-in-the-engine-bay thread

[This message has been edited by Saxman (edited 01-12-2009).]

OK, the correct flexplate is back on the engine and the cradle is sitting under the car waiting patiently. I'm more than halfway there - whew!

now would be a good time to doublecheck everything, you know, just incase...again :P

quote Originally posted by hookdonspeed: now would be a good time to doublecheck everything, you know, just incase...again :P

No way. I'm TRIPLE-CHECKING! I just finished triple-checking the wires!

i think you forgot one, better check again

What a disappointment...

I got it all back together a few minutes ago - except for some auto trans fluid, so I thought I'd just try to start her before going to bed. Well, the starter against the flexplate made a sound like the liberty bell going off after the grinding noise stopped. Aargh!

Hmmm - when I pulled the starter to get the torque converter off, I just stuck the shims back in as they were before - no measuring. I guess there is still some fine tuning since there is some movement in the starter until the bolts are completely tightened, so I think I let it get too far away from the flexplate.

I'm sure there is no way to use the 1/8" rod to measure clearance now. I have to figure something else out.

Did I mention AARGH!!

Go!, Andrew, Go!

I thought you needed a few words of encouragement.

quote Originally posted by sjmaye: Go!, Andrew, Go! I thought you needed a few words of encouragement.

You're right - I do! The first $3500 gets her in the current condition! I may have stripped out the long starter bolt...

If I have to pull the same cradle a 4th time for this, I think I'll torch it!!

Andrew, my wifey is on duty all day tomorrow. Do you need some help or are you swamped with inaugural events?

I'm off tomorrow, but I'm stuck with aligning the starter -and possible using a helicoil to fix the bolt. Unless I have to pull the engine (which I don't think I need to do), it should be a one-man job.

I just don't know how I am going to get the starter aligned without being able to see the gear to align it properly. If I have to pull the engine again, I may be calling you!

really, you and starters do not get along do they?

No, ME and starters do not get along!

Andrew, let me know soon so I can make plans. So I can call AAA to jump me for when I need it. As we speak I am waiting for AAA cause my battery is at about 8 now. I think I need a new one cause I was a cheap ass and bought the cheapest possible sears battery. I think I'll pay up this time.

quote Originally posted by MarineFiero: No, ME and starters do not get along! Andrew, let me know soon so I can make plans. So I can call AAA to jump me for when I need it. As we speak I am waiting for AAA cause my battery is at about 8 now. I think I need a new one cause I was a cheap ass and bought the cheapest possible sears battery. I think I'll pay up this time.

Thanks, but don't plan on it. I need to get under there tomorrow to pull that bolt just to see if that is the problem. If it is, then it will take time to pick up a helicoil kit (thanks, hooked, for finding a good deal). I'm also out of propane for the portable heater, so I can't work out there until I get a refill tomorrow afternoon. I'm about to head out to work in DC now and I won't be done until after midnight - and today is my little girl's birthday. I do appreciate the offer, Marine.

To top all this off, I popped something in my shoulder while putting things back together last night. Now I can't even raise my left elbow past 20 degrees. That means I have to drink all my beer with my right hand, huh!?

[This message has been edited by Saxman (edited 01-17-2009).]

Well I'm here to help if you need me. A bit of a thanks for all your help with mine

Remember the rules of bolt torque --- tighten till it strips them back off 1/4 turn! If you need help on Sunday let me know tonight by 9 I'm available to help. You must / will have a running Fiero for the 25th!
Steve