Sand blasted my 88 cradle and applied first coat of paint. Getting it read to put into my 3800s/c f23 86 gt.
------------------ 86GT, 3800SC, GETRAG, true duals, 3.4 pulley, comp VS cam, zzp match flow injectors, zzp power log, WCF air intake, ARP bolts, comp lifters and push rods, 90# springs, SI stainless valves, aero-force scantech meter. Here is my build thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/122548.html
Here's how today went. Got up early this morning...decided to wipe the car down and saw how much the suspension resettled with the new wheels and tires. The rear tires were both at about 1.5" of clearance from the fender. The front right was at about .75" while the left front was a bit lower...between .25 and .5 of clearance from the fender. I learned while driving the car today this was causing the tire to rub on the fender anytime I hit a bump, made a turn, or came to a sudden halt.
Fortunately there was no damage to the fender or tire. I spoke to Dave from Haus of Guru earlier this morning after seeing the car in daylight and he explained how to make the adjustment. I thought I would have the shop do it since I didn't really want to roll the vehicle onto lawn concrete squares to get my floor jack under the car, but that didn't work out. Too many errands and besides I was enjoying driving the car on this beautiful day here...just doing it with extra caution. First I didn't have the spanner wrench for my HAL QA1 coilover shocks
so with Dave's guidance I was able to come up with an effective alternate tool from Sears
After bringing my youngest daughter (who was more excited about the car being home again than I was) to all of her Saturday activities we were finally home so I decided to get the jack, jack stands, and concrete square out. Dave told me how easy the task was and he was right. Glad he doesn't charge for phone support I was able to adjust both sides to about 1.4" of fender clearance.
Once I figured out how to do it the adjustments were pretty easy and quick. After driving the car this evening the right side is holding steady at about 1.4" of clearance. The left side has come down slightly, but the tire is no longer rubbing the fender on bumps, turns, or sudden stops. I'll adjust it again tomorrow and monitor it. I was also able to find the issue with my bright lights with Dave's suggestion. I unplugged the adapter harness for my projector headlights from the factory plug...used one of my old hi/low bulbs and found the circuits were functioning normally. In the end one of the prongs from the aftermarket harness plug in had become indented into the plug and wasn't making contact on the associated hi-beam lead. Problem fixed. I'm all set with the paint shop for touch-up and chip removal this coming week. Once completed I'll be posting new photos from an actual photo shoot with a scenic background other than my driveway.
One of the most gratifying moments today was when two guys pulled up next to me at a traffic light after being behind me honking their horn to tell me how totally BAD ASS my car is I'm certainly enjoying all this attention.
Today when I was finally able to give my car some attention...I checked to see if I needed to make further adjustment to the front coilovers. Fortunately everything remained unchanged. Next I changed the Sears Platinum battery which Dave had to replace a few months ago with an Optima Yellow Top. The Sears battery wasn't even a year old and was a replacement for one I put in the car last August. That's three batteries in a little over a year. Anyway, I also installed new leather e-brake and shifter boot with yellow quad stitching. I am very pleased with how they came out.
Then it was time for a drive. Too bad there was so much traffic coming back home.
Drove it around and gave it a full tank of gas for winter. Ordered a bunch of parts to try and get it road trip worthy if I decide to go see Plant 17 before the snow (and the factory itself) falls.
used a fair amount of unflattering language on it. got a block away from home on my way to work when the clutch stopped engaging. nursed it home and will dig into it this weekend.
Drove it to work with the clutch not engaging in rush hour traffic. Tried to fix it at work but the slave is gone so I drove it home in rush hour with no clutch. New slave will arrive tomorrow.
More of the past few days. Replaced: 02 sensor, Air temp sensor, steering stabilizer, wheel bearing, some under coating and a tune up. Think it's finally ready for winter
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[This message has been edited by sirtimeless (edited 11-12-2012).]
This actually happened yesterday but it's close enough. I took my car, with new ASA wheels and Potenza S-04 Pole position summer only tires to Karl Chevrolet for a 4 wheel alignment. My car received a clean bill of health and I feel comfortable that it will not unnecessarily eat my new tires due to poor alignment.
It's been a long road, but it's coming together nicely. The car is an '86 SE with an Archie kit (thanks Archie!) and 331 small block. I purchased the Archie kit about 8 years ago, and ran tight tuck headers up until now. I always thought that the v8 sound was a little "heavy", and have always liked the smooth sound of the GT40, due to the use of 180 degree headers. They sound more "exotic", if you will, and add a bit of lightness to the aura.
It's a work in progress (what V8 Fiero isn't?), but I like the way she sounds now. In the video below, the stumble early on was me forgetting to turn the fuel pump on. After that, she runs smooth.
This actually happened yesterday but it's close enough. I took my car, with new ASA wheels and Potenza S-04 Pole position summer only tires to Karl Chevrolet for a 4 wheel alignment. My car received a clean bill of health and I feel comfortable that it will not unnecessarily eat my new tires due to poor alignment.
bought a new oil pan cap( $ 23 rock auto ) and a lisle 53000 tool ( $ 34 Kendallville auto parts ) and did a oil change . never spent that much to change oil before what we wont do for a loved one
Installed the ignition modual shield that the previous owner forgot to reinstall when he changed the ign modual . Good thing I checked on his poor mechanic skills. Got to drive my little 88 coupe to the insurance office to pick up my new card. Weather was nice and being a non ac car it was a pleasure to get out and drive it on the freeway with the windows down. Can't wait to drive it again.
installed the Remanufacture ECM into my 1988 Base Coupe to see if it solved my code 42 timing issues and crappy running...nope.
next will be factory coil packs in place of the current MSD ones.
I've replaced everything on the engine and transmission so far in the last 2 years (not because of this issue, but just and FYI). completely stripped the engine and put all new gaskets and seals on it; as well as honing the cylinder walls for better oiling, and serviced the trans, cylinder head, engine, fuel tank. everything is clean and pretty much perfect...
but this dumb running issue still wants to rain on my happiness...lol oh well, going to continue to have patience and go through all the possibilities.
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on my 87 GT I started removing the gas tank which had completely rusted/seized T-Bolts...long story short, grinder+simple removal = tank now has a cut in it. GHHHRRR (very small though.
Replaced possibly-bad IAC valve and drove it around for about 45 minutes; think this takes care of it stalling when coming to a stop after driving awhile. Will see how it runs over the weekend.
Also; over the week I've replaced plugs, wires, coil, and cap/rotor. Cap/rotor was defective and giving me a bad miss so I took it back today and have a replacement incoming from MSD.
I was able to adjust both sides to about 1.4" of fender clearance. 
I'm certainly enjoying all this attention.
I took my car, with new ASA wheels and Potenza S-04 Pole position summer only tires to Karl Chevrolet for a 4 wheel alignment. 
