Okay, I updated the original post with the exact location and the mall's address. I'm going to work on PM reminders for everybody coming or maybe coming (in case some aren't following this thread) as soon as I get done with this post.

The weather forecast is being iffy, I've been checking on it since it came out. They're flip-flopping between showers and no showers so far. I'm keeping my hopes up, but I guess we'll know better in the coming days. Temps look to be around the 50's, maybe slightly less. Very doable.

Here's a question. If it does end up looking like rain for sure, how many are in line for moving this back by exactly two weeks? That was my planned backup date. Hopefully there will be nothing to worry about though, and even a couple sprinkles won't hurt anybody.

Nice cars everybody! Here's Deathtrap, the in-rough-shape cammed 3.4 '86 GT that I never should have bought. (that's ALLTRBO, my 11-second Talon, in front of/beside it):



It looks worse in real life. It does have an '88 air about it with those wheels and a solid color, though. I like that about it.

This is Cheyenne, the 11mpg 305 beast, who we also plan to take for the sole purpose of standing on top of to get some wicked aerial shots. Well, that and the fact that it'll be easier to get a trailer when Deathtrap breaks.



Edit: Page 4, woohoo!

[This message has been edited by ALLTRBO (edited 02-16-2008).]

Pm Received. Nice Job ALLTRBO!

If we have to change the date for weather, I will probably not make it. I made some VERY specific arrangements and called in several favors to be there on the 23rd.

Rain does not scare me, and unless I am told nobody else is coming, I WILL BE THERE!

Hope Mother Nature cooperates. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

I really want to try and make it too. My fiero is not nearly ready, I bought an 86 300SDL Mercedes I will probably drive if I can make it. I have been putting my time and energy into it lately. I am planning to get the Fiero roadworthy this spring. I have the full suspension kit to put in it, and a used 4 speed manual to replace mine, which has a bad second gear.




I am the one in the driver seat.

My wife and I should be able to make it. Doug

still planning on coming. weather plays a key part also, as far as bringing the 88 goes...

I hope you guys don't split before I get there around 2:30!

I won't have the Fino there because the engine mount is only bolted on. I'm waiting for time (and help) to weld it down, so right now, the engine is moving back and forth pretty bad. A long trip might knock it right off the old trans mounts. Plus, I still have a job that evening and I can't risk being late because of a broken kit car.

I DID just put a wider stripe on the hood of the Mach 1, so at least I have something to show for my work this week.

See you guys Saturday! It'll be great to see some of you again - and the rest of you for the first time. Cheers!

less than a week 'till Saturday

Next meet Fiora will be w/ me...






And these will be ON the car

------------------
"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

Saturday 23, first annual F.I.E.R.O. MD/VA/DC!


Check out my restoration!

Looks good, Fierology. I sure wish I had some 88 rear poly waiting in the garage - or even rubber at this point...

Can you get shipments to the base, fiero store or otherwise?

-Michael

Yeah, if the wife would let me spend some money. She is being very tight with Fiero money this month so I have to wait...

WooHoo!! Made it back to Maryland today. Haven't felt cold in over a year! My 86 GT wont start now! I was told it happenend about 2 weeks ago. I'll start on it tommorow. Can't wait to meet you guys!

Good luck. I hope you get it driving by Saturday.

-Michael

------------------
"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

Saturday 23, first annual F.I.E.R.O. MD/VA/DC!


Check out my restoration!

quote Originally posted by SATX: WooHoo!! Made it back to Maryland today. Haven't felt cold in over a year! My 86 GT wont start now! I was told it happenend about 2 weeks ago. I'll start on it tommorow. Can't wait to meet you guys!

Thanks for bringing the nice weather with you. Thanks to the warmth, I was able to get the stripe kit on the Mach 1 - Wahoo!!

See you guys on Saturday.

AAARGH!!!!

Firewall side Exhuast manifold gasket blew out! Further checking also reveals 2 studs broken off in the head.

I am not wasting any time on here, just going to dig in and get dirty. My Fiero and I will be ready to make the trip BEFORE Saturday. Wish me luck.

quote Originally posted by CompYellowFiero: AAARGH!!!! Firewall side Exhuast manifold gasket blew out! Further checking also reveals 2 studs broken off in the head. I am not wasting any time on here, just going to dig in and get dirty. My Fiero and I will be ready to make the trip BEFORE Saturday. Wish me luck.

OUCH! That's the worst repair I know of on a Fiero engine! (but I haven't done quite everything, yet...)
I just broke off two manifold bolts and the engine isn't even IN the car. Good luck. Puts some pads on your knuckles!!

quote Originally posted by Saxman: Puts some pads on your knuckles!!

Well, if he does it the same way I would, the engine won't be in the car much longer, so knuckle pads would be unnecessary.

Comp - However you decide to do it, good luck. I hate dealing with those exhaust manifolds.

What makes the 2.8 manifolds so difficult?

Mine's a 2.4: manifold was fine, manifold-to-tailpipe biggest pain the the butt!

-Michael

EDIT: didn't do italics right first time

[This message has been edited by Fierology (edited 02-18-2008).]

It's the lack of space at the firewall. Some people remove the rear cradle bolts and rock the engine back for extra space and remove the deck lid. Others drop the cradle entirely - which I would do now that I finally have a cradle drop or two under my belt.

quote Originally posted by Fierology: What makes the 2.8 manifolds so difficult?

The 2.8's front manifold is maybe 5 inches away from the firewall. And to work on it, you need to either pull the decklid, or pull the engine.

It's possible to drill and remove broken bolts on the front manifold with a right angle drill and a very steady hand, but I prefer just pulling the engine. You wind up with so much better access, and can really give the engine a good once over.

Perhaps there's more reasons that gas mileage for which I should be glad I have a 2.5

Dirt, Grease, Blood, with an occasional explicative thrown in. I knew this was not going to be fun, but the old girl is putting up a fight.

Going into this I knew I had a few options, but being under a time constraint, I had decided to try to leave the cradle in place.

I found out that at least here locally, No one carries Exhaust Manifold gaskets for a Fiero. Most places told me they could order me one, but there were none to be had in stock. Then it hit me. The 2.8 in our beloved Fieros are not all that different from the 2.8's in Camaro's, Blazers, S-10's, ect. Funny thing, EVERYBODY has that gasket set IN STOCK! Another thing that I thought was funny, was that the gasket set for a Fiero costs $21.99, while the one listed for the Camaro is $6.99! Needless to say, I bought Camaro Gaskets, confident that I can use them. True they are not EXACTLY the same, but with some minor tweaking, they will do the trick.

So out comes the Battery, and up on the lift she goes. Next the A/C Compressor has got to go(no loss here as it siezed up last summer anyway), got that all disconnected, and unbolted, and down thru the bottom she comes. I should note here, that this is ONLY POSSIBLE because I have no Cat in the way to pull it out through the bottom. the remaining 4 Exhaust Manifold bolts come out without too much trouble, but as you can see in this picture taken from under the car, that both Passenger side(left side of picture) exhaust manifold studs are broken off in the Cyl head.

2 Bolts broken off in the head


After removing the rest of the A/C Brackets, and moving some of the Wire harness, I make enough room the Drill them out and tap them.(though I was a little nervous about the steel coolant line that runs right there), I thought about removing, it, but decided to take my chances.

But while getting ready to clean up the Manifold, I see that it is CRACKED!

Cracked Manifold

Drivers side of the manifold

Runs almost all the way around

Right under the factory weld too!
Well I am not going to have much luck finding one of these locally, so the only choice now is to clamp it down to keep it from warping and Get to welding.

Clamped down good and tight, on a piece of steel that is straight and true

Lots of small tack welds to start will keep the distortion down

Camera captured it better than I expected

Tack it, Turn it, repeat.





Let the welds cool naturally

Tie the tacks together

Leave it clamped down until it cools



I also has to cut the studs where the mainfold attaches to the Y pipe(they always break anyway), they got replaced with inch and a half bolts and nuts.

Put her all back together and crossed my fingers............................................


AHHHHH................YES!!!!!! the sweet sound of a 2.8 without a manifold leak Less than 6 hours total, would have been longer if I had dropped the cradle first.

It is going to take a while to get all of the Greasy fingerprints off the car though.

Sorry, I did not mean to highjack this thread, just thought I would share what I decided to endure, just to be able to make it on Saturday.

Well, putting it on a lift and removing the A/C compressor is the other way to do it, but only the lucky few have lifts at home.

And I probably could have had it done in about 6 hours my way, too.

[This message has been edited by FieroJimmy (edited 02-18-2008).]

Awesome, and great speed. I want to see that header on Saturday

quote Originally posted by Fierology: Awesome, and great speed. I want to see that header on Saturday

If you can get under the car with a flashlight or get you head close enough to the firewall from above, she will be there for ya

Bravo!
I wish I had that much motivation sometimes.

The forecast is holding out for the moment. The closer it gets the more accurate it will be...

Can we get a count of members who are actually bringing their Fiero to this meet? Maybe post the count next to each member on page one. Trying to get a feel on how many Fieros will be there.

[This message has been edited by Daredevil05 (edited 02-19-2008).]

I hear there's supposed to be a bad storm Thursday night. I hope it clears up by Saturday.

-Michael

Dave, that's a good idea. Unfortunately I really don't have time right now to do that, but if you or someone can get a list together from info from this thread then I'll incorporate it into the original post real quick.

Michael, it looks like the forecast wants to be defiant to the end, but right now it shows no precipitation again. Yesterday it said 'few snow showers', but it only shows 'cloudy' today again. It's now calling for the low 40's, and at the very worst it seems that there will be very light precipitation at this point. Today and tomorrow are a different story, but Saturday should be all good.

2 more days!

Steven

quote Originally posted by ALLTRBO: Michael, it looks like the forecast wants to be defiant to the end, but right now it shows no precipitation again. Yesterday it said 'few snow showers', but it only shows 'cloudy' today again. It's now calling for the low 40's, and at the very worst it seems that there will be very light precipitation at this point. Today and tomorrow are a different story, but Saturday should be all good. 2 more days! Steven

Looking good

I'm not sure who's making the Fiero's Attending list, but FYI I'm not bringing my little baby this time.

-Michael

Anyone need a Getrag on Saturday? I have one I got as partial trade from wiccantoy for that purple V8 last year. I think it came out of an 86/87. Mileage is unknown and the arm on it is pretty tight, so it needs a little TLC. I think the bushing or something can be replaced to give the arm more free play.

I'll consider any offers. I also have a rebuilt Getrag, but it will take some bucks for me to part with it. Offers are welcome for that one, too.

I also have an 87 T-top for sale, a 3800 w/Isuzu on a Fiero cradle, and the Fino, of course. I just put up for sale threads for the T-top and 3800 setup if you are interested.

See ya'll soon!

so can I assume everyone is meeting outside of Dave & Busters? I plan on getting there around 12:30 and just wanted to know where to find you folks.

Chuck

Is D&B where the parking lot is marked in the photo above? I plan to head for that lot. You'll all probably be in D&B's before I get there.

It'll be good to meet you again, Chuck. I'm not hard to recognize. Just the tall ugly one as you might remember. No cute kids with me this time, though.

I'd bring my oldest, but I have to work right afterwards. She would dig it because she really loves Fieros.

Hey Andrew yes I remember you from when you looked at my yellow GT. I am looking forward to catching up and maybe talk about a naked t-top car. Also looking forward to meeting other local fiero owners. see you all there tomorrow.

Chuck

Sorry guys, I won't be there this weekend. I've been working 6pm-6am shifts for a week on a hot job at work, and it is going through the weekend to get done. I was looking forward to this. If the weather scrubs it, hopefully I can do the rain date.

------------------
Tom
Suffolk, Va
87 Gt 350-5spd

Saxman- I think i'm interested in the Getrag. Did all the tranny's fit both Dukes and v6's? Getrags fit on Dukes, right? I hope so. I've got a four speed, which I haven't yet determined to be economy or sport. I'm dropping my engine soon anyways, so a Getrag to rebuild/use would be great.

-Michael

we have all the parts loaded up in my Honda. A few stops along the way and we should be there around noonish.
See you all tomorrow.
Joey