Replaced the ignition module, cap&rotor and coil because the car wouldn't start. Took me 2 hours due to my strut tower brace being in the way and the dual TB intake being in the way BIG TIME. And the culprit turned out to be a bad tach filter!!! Grrrrr.....
Finally found/fixed my rattle - right rear inner brake pad was loose & rattled but the knuckle was the problem. The area where the pad contacted the knuckle was worn away letting the pad move. A little welding/grinding to get the pad to fit tight & no more noise!
Well, not todayyyyy, but...CJB #118 is traveling this weekend. FROM the storage unit where it has spent the last 20 years, To our garage where, hopefully it will deploy from for the next 20 years. We bought this car (wife and I) after much research, for a fun driver/hobby car. I'm a Pontiac fan since my teen years, when my buddy had a 73 Grand Prix with T-Tops. I have owned a 72 Grand Prix, and currently own an unrestored 77 Can-Am. The Can-Am restoration was interrupted by a 4-year DIY home renovation, due to wrap this fall. The scale of the Can-Am project no longer fits our lifestyle, we wanted something more available for cruising, even while we do the necessary upkeep and (maybe) mods..The 88 Formula has less than 91,000 miles (less than 10,000 since 1994!) and is in original spec throughout. So, the Can-am will be sold to focus on the Fiero. I hope to discuss in this forum, a couple choices I see ahead...I want to keep the car original, but I also want an IMSA style Fiero with T-Tops eventually. That body style really grabs me. Would I be nuts to modify an original car like this one?....as I familiarize myself with the Fiero road manners, what symptoms should I typically watch/listen for to alert me of maintenance issues? I am able to do all levels of mechanic work, I have built and driven a couple of 'other' muscle cars, but those were all big V8 RWDs. The Fiero layout will be a new experience for me. This forum will be my go-to for advice and guidance.
Started work on the basket case I just bought... ugh. 1987 base coupe
It looked solid when I purchased it but I discovered a lot of rust when I got it home. Thankfully, most of it is not structural. The car has been sitting since 2012 when it developed a clutch issue and the owner was tired of dealing with it.
I replaced the upper radiator support, next I have to change the lower support. Today I changed the clutch line, put in a new steering rack shock absorber, valve cover gasket on the 4 banger, new plugs and wires. Tomorrow I should receive the EGR gasket so that I can put it back together.
I still have to bleed the clutch and change the lower radiator support, ball joints and tie rods in the front, change the oil.. see if the brakes and hand brake can be saved before I go for the safety check.
Raydar, thanks. Yes, it's from a '92 Chevy Lumina. Have you forgotten that we've discussed this spoiler before HERE. That's the thread where Jason's first response to the Lumina spoiler was... "yuck".
Well hell... I've slept since then.
quote
Originally posted by lorennerol:
Apparently the newer openers (ours are from 2014 and 2015) use rolling codes and different frequencies
Interesting. Didn't know that, but I'm not surprised.
I replaced the old, dry rotted, cracked vacuum hoses. I hadn't noticed they were in such bad shape until I started working on the transmission select cable. Now I can't help but wonder if they had any effect on performance.
Well, not todayyyyy, but...CJB #118 is traveling this weekend. FROM the storage unit where it has spent the last 20 years, To our garage where, hopefully it will deploy from for the next 20 years. We bought this car (wife and I) after much research, for a fun driver/hobby car. I'm a Pontiac fan since my teen years, when my buddy had a 73 Grand Prix with T-Tops. I have owned a 72 Grand Prix, and currently own an unrestored 77 Can-Am. The Can-Am restoration was interrupted by a 4-year DIY home renovation, due to wrap this fall. The scale of the Can-Am project no longer fits our lifestyle, we wanted something more available for cruising, even while we do the necessary upkeep and (maybe) mods..The 88 Formula has less than 91,000 miles (less than 10,000 since 1994!) and is in original spec throughout. So, the Can-am will be sold to focus on the Fiero. I hope to discuss in this forum, a couple choices I see ahead...I want to keep the car original, but I also want an IMSA style Fiero with T-Tops eventually. That body style really grabs me. Would I be nuts to modify an original car like this one?....as I familiarize myself with the Fiero road manners, what symptoms should I typically watch/listen for to alert me of maintenance issues? I am able to do all levels of mechanic work, I have built and driven a couple of 'other' muscle cars, but those were all big V8 RWDs. The Fiero layout will be a new experience for me. This forum will be my go-to for advice and guidance.
Welcome to the madness ... this forum is the best go to for info and DIY solutions !!! Have fun with 118 regards Danyel
The 88 Formula has less than 91,000 miles (less than 10,000 since 1994!) and is in original spec throughout.
Would I be nuts to modify an original car like this one?
No.
As much as I like the Fiero Formula (I daily drive and autocross one), it's not exactly a valuable collectors item. Feel free to modify away... with a clear conscience.
As much as I like the Fiero Formula (I daily drive and autocross one), it's not exactly a valuable collectors item. Feel free to modify away... with a clear conscience.
CJB #118 started it's journey home Saturday. Traveling from eastern NY (where it lived in storage for 20 years, and was operated less than 500 miles per year) to SW New Hampshire, but the trip was interrupted quickly by a shredded Alt/WP belt. It was optimistic to think it would make the trip without any drama, but here's what I learned about the car during the abbreviated shakedown cruise...the motor is not making full power, sounds/feels like one cylinder is not firing - so i've read the threads on that aspect, and have some solid info to start diagnosing. The suspension and brakes all operate very well, no issues there. The body is in fantastic shape, nothing but a few spider cracks in the original yellow paint. Interior is very nice, no warps, cracks, and the headliner is perfect. Frame - no rust anywhere that I could find. Electrical issues popped up, the gas gauge went to zero at a couple points while driving, and the electric windows operate, but verrrrry sloooowly (I understand this is common with aging OE motors/crank arms). Speedo and tach both work. The check engine light works, it came on when the belt left, the volt meter and it's idiot light showed very clearly the deterorating voltage situation, but the temp guage acted numb, reading below normal throughout. As soon as I saw the volts go down, I started smelling coolant, and immediately stopped at a Mobil station in Great Barrington, Mass. and diagnosed the problem quickly. The NAPA across the street did not have the belt, and since it was already 4:30 pm on Saturday, my options were getting narrow. I did not want to pay for towing another hundred miles, so I asked the Napa guy for a referral to a nearby shop. He made a recommendation, I called them, and limped the car another half-mile, arriving 5 minutes before the shop closed. Made arrangements for the belt installation, they agreed to keep the fiero inside the shop each night until I returned. My wife was following in her Jeep and we traveled home together, and the car remains in Great Barrington until the shop calls. Then we do this all over again. I am going to stock up on belts.
------------------ 1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula, Yellow, original. (CJB #118) 1977 Pontiac Le Mans Can-Am, original, unrestored.
Removed all the stuff I need to remove in order to drop the cradle out from under the engine. (The engine is suspended from above by an A-frame and hoist.) Cradle and trans will come out one night this week. It's a pain in the butt to do it that way, but at least I don't have to disconnect all the wiring and drain all the fluids.
Some have followed the demise of my 85. The 1998 SC Series II that was in that with 1993 PCM and 1995 4T60e is now in the 87GT. Had left the external harness untaped and loomed/covered in case of errors. Well the other day got a fearful code 41. Thank god the magnet holder was still intact. Had an extra ignition harness, but ended up really being the cam sensor. Have put a little over 500 miles on the swap. and the only other error is P/N switch. Parity switch OK. I can live with that. Well today cleared the 200 lbs of jack stands, tools, parts and what not out of the trunks. Readjusted some of the mounts. General tidying up. Even washed it. 8 year old grandson on a booster seat with an ear to ear grin when he felt the Charger/Vacuum cleaner cut in. I'm happy.
Picked up this 87 Coupe about a month and a half ago thinking it would be an easy fix to get it on the road and boot around with it this summer... It's been off the road since 2012 and had not been started since
Well It's been quite the adventure. I've gotten a couple of surprises so far.
Here is what I've done to date.
Clutch Line Plugs Wires, Air Filter EGR Gasket Thermostat Steering damper Passenger Upper and Lower ball joint Driver inner and outer tie rod Tighten the Driver and Passenger wheel bearings Upper Radiator Support
The clutch line was a surprise as it looked fine when I looked under the car. I also got another nasty surprise, the Lower radiator support was totally rusted out and I only found out at home. I got the old one off but the new one I ordered had a bolt stuck into it that I'm trying to remove before I get it back in the car.
I still need to plug the fan back in, flush the coolant, put a new radiator cap and get some tires. The brakes are pretty rusty but were put on before the car was left to rot so hopefully they can be brought back to life.
Thankfully most parts were cheap from rock auto or the forums, its a shame for the clutch line though as I was keeping the SS fierostore line for my other Fiero.
1 fiero saved from the crusher, at least for now. I just hope I can get it to pass safety soon.
[This message has been edited by FieroMontreal (edited 08-06-2015).]
I managed to re-install the "new" lower rad support today, grease all the ball joints and tie rods, grease the front caliper sliders, top up the coolant and put the car back on it's two wheels.
The bad. I think the valve cover gasket is still leaking. It's smoking a lot and you can see oil bubbling/boiling at the back. Now do I tighten the cover some more? Seems I still have air in the clutch system, I'm going to have to bleed it again. I ordered Rodney's bleeder tool as my last one broke.
I found out the hand brake cables are seized, I don't know which ones so I ordered 2 of the 3 that I found on sale and I'm hoping for the best.
Oh and it really needs an alignment, the steering wheel is totally out of whack.
[This message has been edited by FieroMontreal (edited 08-06-2015).]
The Indy got a new clutch master cylinder. Why didn't I do this a long time ago! When I pulled the old one off it had some pitting and scoring in the chamber. The new one was a breeze to install. One thing that is important is to pay attention to the way the arm goes on...teardrop (or hook side) up!!!!! Very important. If you install it down the clutch will just disengage and will be tough on 1st and 2nd if you can get them at all. Flip it over correctly and it is as smooth as cutting butter with a hot knife. Guess how I know that?
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 08-14-2015).]
CJB #118 got a new windshield today, SGC from Safelite, $179 out the door. Glass quality is excellent, no distortion anywhere. The replacement molding is wider than the original, and the manager had mentioned this even before I brought him the car. The difference in the molding is hardly noticeable. The customer service I experienced was outstanding on all aspects. Now I can get an inspection and be all legal.
Washed and detailed for the All Pontiac Show and Shine tomorrow. Wifey Rug-doctored the carpets and mats.
Removed old cracked side view mirrors and installed replacements. Driver side was too big for the inset. Used thicker 3M tape. Passenger side was a bit too small, will live with it.
Took the Dremel to the alternator heat shield and cleaned up 28 years of crud. Reinstalled it, now that the alternator is properly clocked.
Sprayed what I could see of the tranny with some engine gunk-off, let it sit, and pressure washed it.
Reset the hood catch so the hood sits low enough to engage the ajar switch.
Wiped the bigger brake booster down with mineral spirits and sprayed it with three coats of black satin. Will install after the show- didn't want to risk a problem that meant I couldn't drive it there.
Took the Novus #2 to my spare set of tail lights, picked the best pair, and put them on the car for the show. Why is the PON side always more beat up?
Took the Novus #2 to the 84-style "Fisher Body" and "Fiero" door sill inserts I bought on eBay and installed them.
Cleaned up the exhaust pipes, inside and out.
Realized I have a lot, lot of little clean up stuff left to do in the engine bay and under the hood before I feel like this car is done. But it's come a very long way.
Installed Rodney's 1" lowering ball joints, upper ball joints and sway bar end links. What a difference. It dropped it right where I wanted it perfectly with really no difference in ride quality but vastly improved corning. If you are only looking for a 1" drop to get rid of the excessive gap between your tires and fenders in your 84-87 I highly recommend these.
Made the drive up to Raleigh to meet up with the guys from Triangle Two Seaters (Solstice and Sky club). Had to represent with the "original Pontiac two seater"
I had the driver's side axel boot replaced on my 87GT. It was leaking grease. I had a tune-up (plugs wires rotor etc.) including having to replace the original distributor after 28 years and 152K miles on it. Also had the front brakes done. It should be ready for the "Run to the Hills" later this month.
[This message has been edited by Old Lar (edited 09-01-2015).]
Ol' Rottinblue got a new EGR solenoid. No more code 32! She has also gotten a new battery and alternator plus I replaced the door striker pin on the driver's door. No more "thunk" on bumpy roads!
[This message has been edited by johnyrottin (edited 09-06-2015).]
That's the thread where Jason's first response to the Lumina spoiler was... "yuck". 
Modify away...
