The long weekend afforded a lot of time for the car, so I continued with the rocker build.
First, break out the cardboard and make templates.
Make a glass panel (on glass)
Cut out the pieces.
Doesn't show here, but I glassed the leading edge first, then started fitting it together.
3 sides glassed together, now for the side that runs on the inside of the scoop outer panel. This piece has a s shape to it, so I made a cardboard template, transfered that to aluminum, then formed the s-bend. A layer of glass later...
Here, the piece is being glassed into the vent.
Once tied together, 2 more layers added behind to strengthen everything up
... I started back up on the front of the rocker. This piece has always been rough, since I made it from scratch after losing the original lower fender piece. I cleand it up with the grinder, then started adding some layers, including the wheel well flange.
I boogered up the mounting flange, so i'm in the process of redoing that.
Lots of stuff since last update. I'll have to upload the pics. Worked on the door and door gap, fixed the flange. Glassed in the driver side scoop on the rear fender, And I did a pretty sound job realigning the front end, caster, camber, toe. All good stuff.
Today, on the other hand was a downer. I was following up on some suggestions on why my front is so high, I found a contributing factor. The frame notch I did to fit the 88 front suspension was inadequate. I need to verify, but it sure looks like the lower control arm is hitting the frame.
So, I went to finish the fuel fill lines, and suffice to say, it doesn't line up.
Tomorrow is another day.
Later friends
Bob
[This message has been edited by RCR (edited 09-26-2020).]
It's been 11 years and counting. In that time we have learned that you are an excellent fiberglass man but the question; it is realized that everything has time limits?
It's been 11 years and counting. In that time we have learned that you are an excellent fiberglass man but the question; it is realized that everything has time limits?
Hi Dennis, 11 years has been a long time. Sounds like you're suggesting I quit... Probably the smart thing to do. But, I enjoy being able to tinker on it. Maybe it will never drive again, but as long as I'm having fun, and maybe along the way, teach someone a skill, then I'm good with that.
Thanx for dropping by.
And, to all my fellow Fiero brethren, past and present... Have a great (and safe) New Year.
Hi Dennis, 11 years has been a long time. Sounds like you're suggesting I quit... Probably the smart thing to do. But, I enjoy being able to tinker on it. Maybe it will never drive again, but as long as I'm having fun, and maybe along the way, teach someone a skill, then I'm good with that.
Thanx for dropping by.
And, to all my fellow Fiero brethren, past and present... Have a great (and safe) New Year.
Bob
Bob, I fully support your project and recognize your fiberglass skill level as being better than mine, but on this end getting to drive them is the pinnacle of a restoration achievement. I know many Fiero owners here in NJ that own garage queens but I could never relate to that. Not trying to be critical of your project but a completion date where you can show your nice creation may prove fun and provide satisfaction. Whichever way you decide to go, thanks for sharing this interesting project with us.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[b][/b]Bob, I fully support your project and recognize your fiberglass skill level as being better than mine, but on this end getting to drive them is the pinnacle of a restoration achievement. I know many Fiero owners here in NJ that own garage queens but I could never relate to that. Not trying to be critical of your project but a completion date where you can show your nice creation may prove fun and provide satisfaction. Whichever way you decide to go, thanks for sharing this interesting project with us.
I appreciate the feedback, Dennis. Thank you. The car has been fun, and a distraction from everyday life. But it has only been a distraction, not priority. I've curbed my need for zipping around with an assortment of Mazda 3s over the years. The Mazda is gone, now, so the Fiero gets more love.
This year should see more body work completion. Connect up the oil coolers. I'm looking for a more appropriate dash (come to dislike the GA dash).
I have the beginning parts for the rear diffuser, and sound matt for the interior.
Bob what’s happening, we need a update on all your progress. You can’t let off the pedal we all need our fix on this custom build!!!
Stay safe my friend Wayne
It's been a little colder here in the Enchanted Mitten than over in BC. It's been about 15*ish F for the last two weeks.
Eager to get out there, though. Plans include a possible dash swap and some interior work. Fixing the front suspension. And of course, more body work. The first two should occur before it warms up enough to do the body work.
Hea Bob Looking forward to the dash swap!! It’s been pretty cold up here as well and we got about 15” of snow on top of -5 Celsius so having to use heaters to heat up the shop before I do any fiberglassing. Hoping to have my back half of the car all completed this week.
Not body mod related, but after having to redo the brackets for the driver's side seat (third time). It now has functioning power for fore-aft and up -down for the knees (don't know what else to call it). I'll start the rewiring tomorrow (probably).
Hea Bob Looking forward to the dash swap!! It’s been pretty cold up here as well and we got about 15” of snow on top of -5 Celsius so having to use heaters to heat up the shop before I do any fiberglassing. Hoping to have my back half of the car all completed this week.
Stay safe my friend. Wayne
Hi Wayne, Still have not found one I like. Looking for something that looks "right" with this build. The Grand Am dash does NOT look right. If I still had the Fiero dash, I might consider putting that back in and modifying it.
Not body mod related, but after having to redo the brackets for the driver's side seat (third time). It now has functioning power for fore-aft and up -down for the knees (don't know what else to call it). I'll start the rewiring tomorrow (probably).
peace out..
Bob
Wiring of the seat is complete. I have full articulation minus up/down. The seat covers are also installed. I'll need to figure out where the controls will go. Thinking somewhere near the fuel tank tunnel.
Next up is cleanup of the floor and sound deadener and finish up the passenger side seat.
I do need some pics (because it's not real without pics)
Your dedication to this project is astonishing. I have thrown in the towel on my builds so many times it looks like a laundry mat after a flood. Although I rarely post I still lurk, glad to see you are still at it!
Your dedication to this project is astonishing. I have thrown in the towel on my builds so many times it looks like a laundry mat after a flood. Although I rarely post I still lurk, glad to see you are still at it!
Dr. \/\/
Hey Will, Thanx for dropping by. It's good to hear from you. If it weren't for this project, I'd have to spend more time worrying about my health, my kids, my wife, work, bills, etc. It's good therapy.
anyone else not seeing images, just seeing little missing image icons? super bummed about it..
Images work. There's a thread about it. Need to change security setting.
Worked on the car ab it. Phone full of pics, but that doesn't help when I'm on the PC.
Anyway, beside sound deadener, I rebuilt the bracket for the mirror mount on the driver's door. Very solid now.
Today, I tackled that pesky fuel line. The way I left it last fall, nothing lined up. Months of thinking about it, and a spare Fiero in the local yard in case I buggered it up, I went at it.
I ended up chopping the bracket that mounts the tube to the filler door. Cut a crescent shape out to readjust the angle. Welded it all back up. Couple coats of paint. Good as new.
And the tubes line up now. Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll get them up soon.
Really clean work on relocating the fuel cover! (yes, I know, out of all the cool stuff you did, that's the thing I opened with. I had to pick SOMETHING to start with, and there was too many options!) I really like the lines of your build, that 3/4 view on the last page from the front looks sharp. This is a super slick. And I agree on your headlight setup, I think that's going to look very "natural".
I have a question! With the "reverse decklid" (again, really slick engineering/fab work there!) how will you do maintenance? If you talked about this and I missed it, I apologize.
I'm assuming the decklid assembly will come off "easily" (relative to the current decklid anyway), by just one person and go back on "easily"? Just seems like it will be tough to lean over the "swoop/fastback" to do stuff around the decklid and increase risk of flex/crack/scratch damage to the body/paint.
Really clean work on relocating the fuel cover! (yes, I know, out of all the cool stuff you did, that's the thing I opened with. I had to pick SOMETHING to start with, and there was too many options!) I really like the lines of your build, that 3/4 view on the last page from the front looks sharp. This is a super slick. And I agree on your headlight setup, I think that's going to look very "natural".
I have a question! With the "reverse decklid" (again, really slick engineering/fab work there!) how will you do maintenance? If you talked about this and I missed it, I apologize.
I'm assuming the decklid assembly will come off "easily" (relative to the current decklid anyway), by just one person and go back on "easily"? Just seems like it will be tough to lean over the "swoop/fastback" to do stuff around the decklid and increase risk of flex/crack/scratch damage to the body/paint.
Hey Trinten, thanx for dropping by.
Maintenance shouldn't be too bad. It's not bad now and it's 11" off the ground. Really the only issue I see now is the coolant bottle is under the sail panel. Makes access "interesting".
I haven't done it yet, but I think I'm going to move the air filter to the other sail panel. Maybe block it off and use the To Be Made louvre as the intake vent.
Been working on a few things. Lots to show... Last post I started working on the door gap. I found that when the rear qtr was in place, I ended up with a large space between the door and the qtr. Out came the Dremel...
And the glass... All back together.
I also did some work on the gas door again. Although I was happy with the way it came together, I was unhappy that it installed like the Fiero parts, which resulted in a gap between the body and the inner filler piece. So, out came the Dremel.
I basically ended cutting everything off and starting over. I ended up bonding the filler piece directly to the body. Took four attempts to get the door to line up properly. Everything mounts from the inside, using all of the stock pieces. The trick was to drill some access holes to allow installing the bolts that hold the filler neck in.
Another project I'm working on are the tail lights. My lights were in poor shape, namely the backs of the lights. The lenses are in good shape. That's a good thing, because replacements are like hen's teeth.
I don't know if other Mera's are like mine, but the backs were made of vacuum formed plastic. The heat of the lights totally melted 3 of the 4. So, I decided to make new backs, Still a work in progress, but here's where I'm at.
After carefully removing the back from the lens. One good, one bad
A little melted.
Cleaned the good one. Prepping to make a mold.
A bit of wax. Some PVA mold release, And some glass.
Voile...
Once the temps improve, I'll try making 4 new backs.
...to be continued...
[This message has been edited by RCR (edited 04-28-2021).]
I pulled the rear off and started tying things together. I used a piece of old masonite and created a piece to hold the shape. Then I fit all of the parts together with some screws. The masonite got a layer of packing tape to keep it from sticking.
Tied together.
Started connecting the rear exaust cutout to the bottom. I'm filling the openings with cardboard and created a rounded edge with foam and duct tape.
Started working on the bottom section. I pulled the form off, spun it around and placed it underneath, this allowed me to make a flange that really stiffened it up. I plan on a couple more layers on the inside once it's more complete.
Thanx for the visit... Take care,
Bob
[This message has been edited by RCR (edited 05-03-2021).]
That's even better than the guy (I think he was doing a V12 swap on his Fiero, hasn't updated it in a while), he was buying Great Stuff expanding foam by the case and would fill boxes/bags with the rough outside dimensions, then just shave/sand it down to form his mock-ups.
That's even better than the guy (I think he was doing a V12 swap on his Fiero, hasn't updated it in a while), he was buying Great Stuff expanding foam by the case and would fill boxes/bags with the rough outside dimensions, then just shave/sand it down to form his mock-ups.
Your method is definitely cleaner.
Hey there Trinten, I did enjoy Engineman's build. Very cool.
I've used about every material possible on this build. Can foam is probably my least favorite, but it does have it's place. The whole rear section was formed using two-part foam, originally. For this, I just needed something flat and would take a bend.
Thanx for stopping in. and btw, enjoying your build. I might try some of that one day.
It's been too long. A lot of reshaping going on on the rear. I've also been working on a side project to redo the tail lights. I'll post up pics later once I up[load them. I just wanted to give a shout out to Bloozberry. He posted up a great how-to on rewiring the tail lights.
I have an 84, so it did require running a new line through the C500 to the brake switch. A bit of a pain, and it required an 86 Monte Carlo at the salvage yard to donate the body connector for parts, but it's done and it works.
I ordered some Deutch connectors to wire in the lights, eliminating the existing bulbs. The new lights will be all LED. More coming on those, too (not going to be Ogre approved ).
I will also be doing a new reverse lamp and wiring in the third brake light.
Stay tuned (but off on vacation next week).
take care
Bob
[This message has been edited by RCR (edited 06-27-2021).]
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