I didn't have the front that high so I had to raise the rear extra high. I hooked onto the bolt that holds the dogbone to the frame. If the trunk latch is strong enough to lift the car, I know that point is!

Jonathan

not sure what to tell ya on the MOOG.

Did you get the rocker panels off yet?

Not yet. I spent the day pounding on some wrinkled sheet metal. We're going to have company on Saturday. A Fiero guy from Mountain City is coming by to buy my '88 steering rack and to see us remove the body panels. What time did you want to make it?

Jonathan

This was the big project yesterday. This corner of the trunk was split open and wrinkled up. I worked it over with my ball peen hammers and brought it to this point. Now I gotta seal and paint it.

I've been working on the cradle. I was using an angle grinder with a tiger paw to remove the heaviest rust and the rough edges, etc. After that I switched to a wire brush wheel. I got into my fingers a little bit. It just took some skin off, nothing major. Didn't really bleed like a cut. Just one of those oozing cuts. Anyway, it was enough to stop me for the day. I should be able to finish cleaning the cradle today and post a pic of it.

Jonathan

I got back to the cradle. It still has some rust pits in it that I didn't want to grind out. Maybe I'll Bondo it. I've never used it before so it would be a learning experience and a chance to make my cradle look nice and smooth. Here's a pic with most of the paint removed. I'll hit it with my bead blaster before I paint in order to get into the tight spots.

quote Originally posted by Boostdreamer: We're going to have company on Saturday. A Fiero guy from Mountain City is coming by to buy my '88 steering rack and to see us remove the body panels.

I appreciate you letting me come over and pick that up from you Jonathan...

Looking good on the build thread, and I know you're going to turn that 85 into a sweet ride! Subbing your thread for future reference.

Robert

quote Originally posted by Axdrenalin: I appreciate you letting me come over and pick that up from you Jonathan... Looking good on the build thread, and I know you're going to turn that 85 into a sweet ride! Subbing your thread for future reference. Robert

It was my pleasure! I hope we didn't keep your wife waiting too long! She seemed like a good sport. Tammy usually stays in the car when I'm on a quest for parts also. LOL. I'd really like for us and the other local guys to plan something this summer. Stay in touch.

Jonathan

This car has very little rust and 99% of it is light surface stuff. Here's the exception to the rule. Although this battery tray is still solid enough to hold a battery, it's ugly and will need to be replaced eventually. I'd rather do it now than wait until it fails. As much fun as it would be for the battery to fall down into the belt and get sanded until it spewed acid all over the engine compartment, I'd rather just skip it.



The under side

[This message has been edited by Boostdreamer (edited 02-27-2012).]

quote Originally posted by Boostdreamer: This is the front trunk of my '87. I'll be using anything in here that needs swapping. I made the carpet kit. It will look better if I tack it down here and there.

Nice! How tough was this to do? Cleans the area up nicely!

It was pretty easy, actually. I used small bits of notebook paper and taped them in place and covered the trunk. Then I pulled the paper out in one big sheet and used it as a pattern. I did it in three sections. Each fender and then the front section. In this pic, the flap from the left fender is in front when it should be behind. Thanks for the compliment!

Jonathan

Here is a Photoshop of my paint scheme idea done by 85SEnochie. I love it!

nice

what kind of "Carpet" did you use for that ? Looks great !

quote Originally posted by Boostdreamer: Here is a Photoshop of my paint scheme idea done by 85SEnochie. I love it!

Nice indeed. Is it going to be a fastback, or was that all that just easier. The lines changing change some of the looks with paint.
Brad

The carpet was something I picked up in Walmart or maybe Advance. It was nothing special. Just advertised as "trunk carpet" or something. Pretty cheap too.

The car will not be a fastback. It was easier to use that car for the photoshop. I bought a spray gun from China Freight yesterday so I'm planning to shoot it myself. First timer!

Jonathan

He made meone, andman it looks awesome, I recommend one for you too. really cleans things up!!

quote Originally posted by Boostdreamer: The carpet was something I picked up in Walmart or maybe Advance. It was nothing special. Just advertised as "trunk carpet" or something. Pretty cheap too. The car will not be a fastback. It was easier to use that car for the photoshop. I bought a spray gun from China Freight yesterday so I'm planning to shoot it myself. First timer! Jonathan

As a first timer I wouldn't recommend black, it's one of the most difficult colors to lay down, shows every little tiny itty bitty mistake. Could you practice on something first? Like another car?
Brad

I can definately practice. With 3 Fieros, I have plenty of canvas to hone my skill. Its got to be black! That's all I want. There is no second choice. I just want to do single stage and wet sand. I did paint one car (shown here) black with the roll-on Rustoleum method. If I had buffed it, I think it could have looked decent for what it was.

I don't know about doing the stripes, though. Should I paint them or have vinyl ones made? If vinyl, would they need to be clearcoated?

Jonathan

Vynle is very hard to line up in all aspects. I woud suggest painting them on. it looks sharper and they can be lined up easier.

That is one job I don't think I want to do. I'd farm that one out for sure!

Jonathan

I like the stripes. Don't drop them.

Black cars look fantastic...

when clean.

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 03-19-2012).]

quote Originally posted by phonedawgz: Black cars look fantastic... when clean.

Yes they do, and keeping them clean is indeed the challenge! Black has always been one of my favorite colors on a car...

We'll get those panels off sunday

As long as I don't have to work. I'm on twelves now and in a shutdown. I'm SUPPOSED to be off this weekend but who knows until the last minute.

Jonathan

quote Originally posted by CrazyDragn: We'll get those panels off sunday

just call me and let me know if things change

I've not worked on the car in a while. My Vmax has been the center of my attention lately. I finally got the battery and lighting problems solved and I got a good start on detailing it. I haven't forgotten my little Fiero, though. I think about it every day and I even made a few more purchases for it. I bought an 8 mil smooth and clear shower curtain to make vapor barriers for the doors. I found a source for the jute padding material that goes under the carpet. Prolly gonna order it tomorrow. I bought some rubber self-adhesive material to replace the dried out stuff on the duct work. I ordered a tube of black butyl rubber that will be used to seal some seams, put on the door's plastic barriers, and to install the winshield surround and rear clip. AND...drum roll please...I just placed my order for Koni shocks and struts! Got em' for the best price I've ever seen them. $554 shipped from Tirerack.com. I believe that sale lasts thru the end of April or May.

I'll get back to work and post more pics soon!

Jonathan

Look forward to seeing your updates and progress on this...

Robert

I got started on the process of removing the engine from the black '87. If you don't remember, I'll be using it first to get the car running and work the bugs out with. This '85 hasn't been operational in over 10 years! When I'm satisfied that it is working correctly and reliably, I'll do the '88 cradle swap. When that is done, I'll turn my attention to the L67 and whatever it takes to get it in. It will probably be next spring before I do the cradle or L67 swaps. While my Fiero is down, I'll be doing daily duty on my motorcycle. We have a 15 year old who turns 16 in May and he will end up driving the BMW that I have been driving. So with that in mind, I'll be waiting for decent weather before I do anything big. Soon it will be nice to pull the car in and out of the garage under its own power! That will make small winter projects much more comfortable.

Tomorrow I'll pass the wiring harness through the firewall, disconnect the two brake calipers and the e-brake, and remove the passenger side engine coolant hose. That's all that's left before I drop the cradle and all. Once the engine is out I'll be busy with several chores associated with it before I plug it into the '85. I have to put in a new axle seal on the drivers side. Replace the stock exhaust manifolds with another pair of stock manifolds that have been ported. And I have to change the front main seal. I'll probably clean it up a bit too.

There really isn't much new to show so no pics. Hopefully I can show you that the engine is out tomorrow!

Jonathan

Happy Easter, when we taking those panels off?

quote Originally posted by Boostdreamer: Here is a Photoshop of my paint scheme idea done by 85SEnochie. I love it!

That's perfect. Go for it!

Happy Easter! How about this coming weekend? No plans so far.

Jonathan

quote Originally posted by CrazyDragn: Happy Easter, when we taking those panels off?