I'm currently wondering to myself... Why haven't I looked at this thread yet? Good stuff.

[edit... good timing - page ownage]

[This message has been edited by skuzzbomer (edited 12-11-2009).]

Got the lower intake, timing chain, water pump, Balancer, and crank pulley on today, and i put the 36lb/h injectors on my fuel rail also. Sorry, no pics.

It just hit me recently how much I miss my car. It hasn't moved in 6 months.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 12-17-2009).]

Got some stuff done today, put on the engine on cradle with tranny. Tried to mate them correctly but it didn't work as well as plan
----->https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/078875.html



I need to move the tranny left like an inch and it would be perfect. The engine is in the correct spot. Still need to paint the engine though, no biggie. But I gotta get that aligned right first.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 12-23-2009).]

Still damn good work. We're cheering you on!

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Got some stuff done today, put on the engine on cradle with tranny. Tried to mate them correctly but it didn't work as well as plan ----->https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/078875.html I need to move the tranny left like an inch and it would be perfect. The engine is in the correct spot. Still need to paint the engine though, no biggie. But I gotta get that aligned right first.

STOP BREAKIN STUFF lol j/k dude. hope you fix it.

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: STOP BREAKIN STUFF lol j/k dude. hope you fix it.

Look whose talking! Didn't you break the starter on tyler's car?
But yea I feel like a total idiot about that.

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Look whose talking! Didn't you break the starter on tyler's car? But yea I feel like a total idiot about that.

Nope me and DIY-Stu fixed it.
I was just there so they blamed me for it.

[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 12-24-2009).]

I got myself another 4T60 from pull-a-part. Got it from a 1991 Chevy Lumina Euro 3.1 with 170k miles. Totally wore me out, took 2 days. Not as clean as my broken one but then again, its not broken.


compared to my clean but broken one.

Going to gut the dirty one and clean it up and paint it, then gut the broken one and move all of the parts to the non-broken one. Then, ta-da, a brand new non-broken 4T60.

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Going to gut the dirty one and clean it up and paint it, then gut the broken one and move all of the parts to the non-broken one. Then, ta-da, a brand new non-broken 4T60.

I don't know why you are going through all the trouble when that "broken trans" can be easily fixed

quote Originally posted by Erik: I don't know why you are going through all the trouble when that "broken trans" can be easily fixed

I was told by a professional transmission rebuilder with 14 years of experience (also the person who helped me build that very transmission) that it really can't be fixed to the point where its just like it wasn't broken. I mean, you mostly likely could, but the chance of it being wrong and then the transmission being off-center to the engine is greater. That will cause damage to either the main bearings, or the transmission oil pump or the input shaft seals. Since i spent nearly 2 grand on my engine, (and that's a lot for someone of my age) it ain't worth it too me. I'd rather step up and do the right thing, can't cut corners here and kick myself later.

As much as I don't like going through all this trouble, I learned my lesson, and its the right thing to do.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 01-19-2010).]

wow sorry for the loss, if it makes you feel any better im in for a new trans to! so lame

Oh and here is a picture of me removing the engine/transmission from the car itself. Yes I know that looks dangerous, I didn't get hurt.
If you notice, i tried the previous day to remove the transmission by myself, and i failed. That is the side of the transmission sticking up.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 01-19-2010).]

I think I'm going to go a similar direction as you minus turbo. I'd like to build a mild 3.4PR for around 200 ponies on the ground and mate it to a 4T60. I think that would be fun daily driving and good gas mileage. In any case.. If you've got time to be posting on a forum, you've got time to work on the car! I don't care if it's night! I'll ship PK over there to break stuff if you don't.

quote Originally posted by N3M3S1S: I think I'm going to go a similar direction as you minus turbo. I'd like to build a mild 3.4PR for around 200 ponies on the ground and mate it to a 4T60. I think that would be fun daily driving and good gas mileage. In any case.. If you've got time to be posting on a forum, you've got time to work on the car! I don't care if it's night! I'll ship PK over there to break stuff if you don't.

I can't do as much because of the weather outside. Next weekend i'll be swapping the parts in the transmissions though and then i can get the ball rolling some more.

Update. Got the trans guts moved to the good case, and mounted correctly on the cradle (had to redrill the rear mount though). Then I put the control arm assembles on and popped in the axles to see if the trans was sitting right or not. Looked pretty good. Only one problem. The axles look to be the right ones, but my new wheel bearing hubs don't fit into the passenger side axles' splines. The driver's side is fine, no issues there. The splines look to be the same number. What could the problem be?
Anyway, hopefully I'm be putting the engine on the cradle tommorow, then i can start building it up and get this project going! Only issue is the cold weather outside.
Also, I want to put a piece of wood under the control arms, I don't like the way they are sitting. Don't want to harm the axles.


And the empty bad case, going in for scrap.

quote Originally posted by mattwa: As much as I don't like going through all this trouble, I learned my lesson, and its the right thing to do.

Way to go man! I'm really impressed with the way you sucked it up and made the hard decision. I also can't believe that you did all of this in the middle of this horrible winter! I have barely made it out to my garage the past month and a half.

quote Originally posted by Jefrysuko: Way to go man! I'm really impressed with the way you sucked it up and made the hard decision. I also can't believe that you did all of this in the middle of this horrible winter! I have barely made it out to my garage the past month and a half.

I gotta do what I gotta do. I really miss my car, its been without an engine since June of last year. So my goal currently is at the latest April 1st, all back together and running good.

Damnn... havent been on here in awhile but im glad to see your moving along with the project!

SUCCESS! Finally (with the help of a Fiero friend) I correctly got the engine mated with the transmission. This time without breaking the transmission. Now I can finally start putting all the pieces together.
Next lesson that I learned the hard way. Put the bolts back in the holes if you can. I can't find several bolts.

Update. I got a few things in the mail within the past few days. Archie's battery box, a antenna base from Hulki (thanks! ), and I got my Magnaflow muffler today. It's going to sound so mean!
Yesterday, I attached the A/C compressor, starter, Oil pressure sender, and a few other things. Since one of the bosses is missing for the lower A/C bracket, I tapped the hole on that little strut piece and I'm going to bolt it on that way.
I did find out I have a sight problem. I have Rodney Dickman's belt tensioner and it looks great, but the belt he provided with his kit is too long! Maybe it has something to do with the 88 alternator I bought?




Edit: Yes, I know it looks kinda crappy in the pictures, I'm going to paint things later.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 02-02-2010).]

Turns out Rodney Dickman sent me the wrong belt when I ordered the 2.8 Idler pulley a while ago. So he sent a me another belt free of charge. Thank you Rodney. It fits perfect now.

Got more things done with my engine, (since there is a foot of snow on top of my Fiero currently), including the thermostat housing, correct gaskets for the valve covers, middle intake, a few other small things. The top intake piece is there right now just to keep dust out and for a picture.

That's a good lookin' engine.

Looks really good!

------------------

88 Coupe: Modded 4.9L V8 5 speed

Wow, that's really looking good!
I like the blue intake and valve covers. Makes me almost want to refinish mine like that.
You're doing nice clean job on this mattwa, keep up the nice work.

I Ordered a set of Truelo Headers with the Y-pipe today. Can't wait to get them, Then i can start building my exhaust, which is pretty much my next step. It will pretty much be: the Truelo Headers and Y-pipe, down to a Magnaflow muffler, then straight out to Hooker Resonator Tips. Its going to sound MEAN!

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 02-16-2010).]

Looks great Matt! I think the blue sets it off nicely! Great work BTW did you ever get your antenna fixed?
Korey

When you put it back in to the car, keep a eye on the top of the trans filler pipe. I had to bend mine away from the back heat shield to get it to clear as the drive line went in. It's not easy to see when you are doing it. You will love the overdrive. If you had used the 4t60 with the 2.84 gear you would have to stop every 200 miles to take gas OUT of the car it would get that good a gas mileage. I got 35 mpg @ 70 with a 3.8 and the 2.84. With a change to the 3.33 gears in the same car/engine I got a 27 mpg. But it was a world of diffents in how it got to 70!

I call dibs on the first ride in your car when it's finished, Matt. Any chance you might make it to MN for the Tyler memorial car show July 24th?

quote Originally posted by NCTyphoonKid: Looks great Matt! I think the blue sets it off nicely! Great work BTW did you ever get your antenna fixed? Korey

Yea a forum member sent me a non-stripper antenna base. Going to install it when weather is good.

quote Originally posted by FFIEROFRED: When you put it back in to the car, keep a eye on the top of the trans filler pipe. I had to bend mine away from the back heat shield to get it to clear as the drive line went in. It's not easy to see when you are doing it. You will love the overdrive. If you had used the 4t60 with the 2.84 gear you would have to stop every 200 miles to take gas OUT of the car it would get that good a gas mileage. I got 35 mpg @ 70 with a 3.8 and the 2.84. With a change to the 3.33 gears in the same car/engine I got a 27 mpg. But it was a world of diffents in how it got to 70!

I have read horror story's about that, so I'm leaving it off until the cradle is in the car. As for the Final drive ratio, I went with the middle, 3.06, so I will have both good acceleration and good fuel economy.

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Ok Andy. And the date was changed from Labor day weekend to July 24th. I will try my best to be there, but will YOU be there?

Even if I have to sell testicles and kidneys to pay for the trip, I will be there.

quote Originally posted by Hulki U. My-BFF: Even if I have to sell testicles and kidneys to pay for the trip, I will be there.

Great, I will plan to be there then, with my Fiero. Hopefully it will make the 950 mile trip.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 02-17-2010).]

Mat, read through your entire thread. Freaking wow! You are driven!!! I would truely be honored for you to help me with my car. I said before you got mad skills with the wrench but now I see you are gifted. At the age of 17 you have more knowledge than most that have worked on cars for many years! Great work homie!!!

quote Originally posted by Jason88Notchie: Mat, read through your entire thread. Freaking wow! You are driven!!! I would truely be honored for you to help me with my car. I said before you got mad skills with the wrench but now I see you are gifted. At the age of 17 you have more knowledge than most that have worked on cars for many years! Great work homie!!!

Wow, thanks for the complements. I just try my best at what I enjoy doing.

bump

nice work......

quote Originally posted by Hulki U. My-BFF: I call dibs on the first ride in your car when it's finished, Matt. Any chance you might make it to MN for the Tyler memorial car show July 24th?

HA!! I get the first ride! Distance is your enemy. Matt lives just a few miles from me.