I know this had been covered before but I can't find any info on it probably because I'm not using the correct wording to call up the posts on tilting the cradle.

Here is my issue. My valve cover closest to the firewall started leaking oil after I did a bunch of work to the top end and even after I completely replaced the valve cover gaskets. I now know that I should have used a better gasket and a high temp silicone but I really need to get a better angle at what I'm working on and am looking for info on tilting the cradle. Thanks for any help

Daniel

Remove one bolt from the dog bone



Use a floor jack to support the cradle at the rear .



loosen the 2 bolts which hold the crade in the up position



.....lower jack ....

this will pivot cradle a few degrees to gain access to the 246 head
Removing Deck lid may just give you enough room to get to the points you want...

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Mark
In the Great Northwest!

[This message has been edited by NW-Fiero (edited 10-03-2008).]

I have many bent coolant lines onmy cars from previous owners. I would disconnect the lower hoses before tilting the motor.

Is there anything else I should disconnect?

Will tilting the cradle do any damage to the axles or any part of the rear wheel hub?

About how many degree of tilt will I be able to get or is it really worth it?

Thank you for the replies.

Have you removed the deck lid to get better access to the valve covers...... How did you get them off originally?




85-88 V6 VALVE COVER GASKET SET
Genuine Fel-Pro Gaskets. FS Part #52740
Price:$19.95


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Mark
In the Great Northwest!

[This message has been edited by NW-Fiero (edited 10-03-2008).]

Frankly there is no need, if you have the upper and middle intake off, you have plenty of room to work, but other than the extra work, it wont hurt anything, unless you break the rear cradle bolts loose inside the frame rails, then that is a pain.

I originally got at the valve covers when I was replacing my lower intake gasket. There is an engine hoist bracket or some kind of shield that is in the way of one of of the valve cover bolts and I could never see if it was seating properly. I ended up replacing the original rubber valve cover gaskets with a pressed paper type gasket that I guess is not sealing properly so if I'm going to have to work on it I really want to take the time and make sure I have as much access to it as I can.

I'm mostly just trying to figure out how much effort it would be to get a better angle at what I'm trying to fix and if it's really complicated then I'll just take the top end off again. Thanks to all who have replied.

I would just do the top end way again. It's not worth the effort of tipping just for the covers.
Pull the dog bone, get a bar clamp or whatever and pull the engine rearward as far as you can.
Other than removing the brace by the Alt. you can get them both off. As you know the front one hits the lift bracket but it will come out. I just pulled mine on my 3.4 to afjust the lifters a couple month ago.
Use the good gaskets and the silicone where needed and should be good. Also check your Dist. o-ring is not leaking...

If you want to continue with the tilting method, you can also remove the nuts holding the struts to the car. It'll give you a little more clearance, but keep an eye out for stretched wires and hoses.

There is an alternative and easy way to free up room that we use. Its called using an engine tilter (tool) . These can often be found on eBay for cheap. You remove the dogbone and install the tilter there. Then you use a wrench to tighten the tilter and it pulls the engine forward. It provides far more room to work on the other side ( front) of the engine and you won't risk breaking anything. .

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87GT - 3800SC Series III engine, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
87GT - 3.4L Turbocharged engine, modified TH125H
" I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 10-05-2008).]

I might have to check out the engine tilter it sounds like it might be the easiest method. Thanks everybody.

Daniel

quote Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: There is an alternative and easy way to free up room that we use. Its called using an engine tilter (tool) . These can often be found on eBay for cheap. You remove the dogbone and install the tilter there. Then you use a wrench to tighten the tilter and it pulls the engine forward.

In the case of the Fiero, I would guess it pulls the engine towards the back of the car.

Found a couple of pictures of two slightly different ones.



Hmmm.... seems to me that it would be possible to make something similar with a few select items from the hardware store.

Patrick,

I believe that you may be on to something there........ I love Fiero people. Alway looking for easier cheaper ways to get something fixed on thier cars...... actually, Fiero owners don't have the market conrered here.... Anyway, I will be scrounging around Home Depot tomorrow.....lol Plus for you Patrick. I'm just mad cause I did not think of it first....

Pat

quote Originally posted by katatak: I love Fiero people. Alway looking for easier cheaper ways to get something fixed on thier cars......

Yep, that describes me pretty well.

Let us know what you come up with. I'll be needing to replace my cracked forward exhaust manifold at some point (when I get tired of hearing "tick, tick, tick" while accelerating), so doing something to give an extra inch or so of clearance in there sounds good to me.

If tilting the engine may I suggest you change your front plugs since they are such a pain to get at.

quote Originally posted by The Poopsmith: ...There is an engine hoist bracket or some kind of shield that is in the way of one of of the valve cover bolts and I could never see if it was seating properly...

When replacing my valve cover gaskets, I thought the same thing. Turns out, the bracket wasn't what was in the way, it was the oil dipstick. Just remove the bolt on the

back that holds the oil dipstick, and it will come off. Much less work in my mind then trying to pull the engine forward. But having the tools to do it wouldn't be a bad thing either.