Well in the past few days i removed the rest of the bearings, they didn't look very bad, but didn't look very good either. I opened up the oil pump and the it was scored pretty badly, we have a replacement anyway. I put the new bearings in, and the crank moves without binding. Next I installed the new oil pump and the new timing chain set. Next it to put the oil pan etc on and degrease/clean the outside of the block and paint it.

Has been awhile since I posted to this thread. We are very close to putting assembled cradle back in car. What I luv about this swap is that you would never know the engine is from a Firebird because you redress it just like the 2.8 See pic below.

A few thanks for:
Engine: From a guy on craigslist near Flint MI. 3.4 from a wrecked 95 Firebird
Tranny: From member mrjohnishome. 5 speed Isuzu from a Cavalier
Headers and Y-pipe: Maddanceskillz
Parts from three other forum members
Also, there are parts on this assembly from:
NAPA
Ebay
Rock Auto
Auto Zone
The Fiero Store
Rodney Dickman
Cleveland West Pull-A-Part
and of course believe it or not Walmart.

Should have it back in car within a week.

[This message has been edited by Ridgelandbaseball (edited 10-05-2010).]

Hey, where is my thanks?

Yea, we got a lot done in the past..month since this thread was last updated. Built everything up. Engine connected to transmission, and finally that whole assembly on the cradle. Still need to finish the exhaust, some wiring, and other small stuff, and then it will be ready to go back in!

just curious to know.. If you dont mind stating. What would a rebuild and reinstall of this 3.4 cost ya? If you dont want to say publically PM me if you dont mind. I have just found a 3.4 out of a wrecked camaro for $150.00. I am sure it needs to be rebuild just as you have done and I am wondering if its worth it. Thanks.

quote Originally posted by GADJet: just curious to know.. If you dont mind stating. What would a rebuild and reinstall of this 3.4 cost ya? If you dont want to say publically PM me if you dont mind. I have just found a 3.4 out of a wrecked camaro for $150.00. I am sure it needs to be rebuild just as you have done and I am wondering if its worth it. Thanks.

Well when I did my 3.4, I did a total complete rebuild. New main and rod bearings, pistons, rings, bored 0.20 over, crank journals polished, new freeze plugs, all new gaskets, new cam, new lifters. Everything. Plus new waterpump, oilpump, 3-angle head job with new valve guides and seats. So I figure I spent $2500, including cost of engine.

My dad's 3.4 didn't get nearly as much. Just new gaskets (except for head gaskets), new crank bearings, and new waterpump, oilpump, and all ignition parts.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 10-05-2010).]

quote Originally posted by GADJet: just curious to know.. If you dont mind stating. What would a rebuild and reinstall of this 3.4 cost ya? If you dont want to say publically PM me if you dont mind. I have just found a 3.4 out of a wrecked camaro for $150.00. I am sure it needs to be rebuild just as you have done and I am wondering if its worth it. Thanks.

I would say it wouldn't cost anywhere near $2500 depending on what you want to do. I spend about that much but replaced everything while I had the cradle out. New tranny, struts, ball joints, tie rods, new poly all the way around, etc. If you just want to replace the engine you could drain the oil out, turn the engine upside down, take the pan off and look at it. We just replaced as mattwa said the crank and rod bearings. Also did the oil pump and the water pump. All that stuff would be less that $200 and it could be enough. You can turn the engine over and see if it has compression and if so, it should work. There is a lot involved in this swap and you take a lot of parts off the 2.8 to use on the 3.4. Make sure you read all you call about it if you decide to go that route.

Today we had FIRST START UP. With help of mattwa and Fiero Al and after a few bugs were worked out it STARTED. Hope to have on road soon.

Nice accomplishment! Always feels nice when she first starts up. I always hesitate before I twist that key.

Finally got the clutch working today after having to replace the section that connects to the slave. It drives! My dad took it for a spin today for the first time. Needs an alignment bad, but it moved under its own power and drove down the street! Still having issues with shifting, can't get into reverse or 2nd easily, we are thinking something is wrong with the select cable, could be binding up. It did come from a junkyard Fiero, so who knows.

Dang! Congratulations, guys!! It's gone a long way from limping home from my house with a bad water pump to now. How well does it run?

quote Originally posted by Hulki U. My-BFF: Dang! Congratulations, guys!! It's gone a long way from limping home from my house with a bad water pump to now. How well does it run?

That 3.4 is VERY strong. Runs great, 80PSI when its cold. Rev's nice with no hiccups. Has new bearings,timing chain, oil pump, ignition parts, etc etc . Didn't take the heads off, didnt need to, cylinder walls looked good while changing bearings. No leaks either.

All because I built it.

[This message has been edited by mattwa (edited 10-31-2010).]

quote Originally posted by mattwa: All because I built it.

Funny guy! Now build me one!

quote Originally posted by Hulki U. My-BFF: Funny guy! Now build me one!

Find an engine and some new parts, and I will.

Yes I must admit, I could not have done this without Matt. It was his expertise that made it possible. I did do a lot of the grunt work that needed no special skills which helped. Also, my wife Carol applied POR-15 to the engine bay. (She also did it for Matt's build) Still have two problems:
Can't get to shift right. Goes up and down OK but not side to side. We think it is the select cable. I have another one which we will try tomorrow.
Wipers will not shut off. Matt thinks it is the junk yard steering column. We will check that out also.