I was planning on doing my brakes today so I can get my Fiero inspected and on the road, so I can take it back to the engine builders and have them fix the leaking rear seal. I started the engine early this morning while it was still dark in my garage and thought that it sounded differently than usual. So I did some looking. In the process, I manually operated the throttle by hand while listening to the engine. When I did, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw some flame. So I did it again and sure enough. See the photo below. I could see it along the exhaust on cylinder #6. I got my trouble light and took it over to the spot and from the picture below, you can see what happened. The exhaust manifold cracked along the weld.
A used manifold costs 350 dollars from the Fiero factory. Not a problem, but I don't like spending that kind of money for a used manifold. The rear one is 250 dollars. Anyone in here have a set of old manifolds for an '88 GT they'd like to sell me?
Has anyone ever had one re-welded and had any success with it? This is getting frustrating. I am thinking no more mid-engine or front-wheel drive projects for me. Front engine, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive projects or motorcycles, all pre-smog for me anymore.
[This message has been edited by eti engineer (edited 10-26-2021).]
Yes, also id port the headers to gain 8hp while your at it.
heres what mine looked like:
The process isnt terrible, I could have done it in a weekend if i had all the parts right away, with the header welded soon after, and if 2 studs werent seized.
Yes, also id port the headers to gain 8hp while your at it.
heres what mine looked like:
The process isnt terrible, I could have done it in a weekend if i had all the parts right away, with the header welded soon after, and if 2 studs werent seized.
What am I looking at in your photo? I think the piece I need to see is out of the top part of the picture. I am just hoping I can pull the exhaust manifold with the engine in place. It appears that I can. I think there is enough room between the firewall and the engine. If anything, I think maybe I can undo the dogbone and pull the top of the engine back a little to give me some more room. I sure thought that I would have the car back on the road by the end of this week with all work done. Oh well....
Oh, I see. The blue tube is the one that goes to the fresh air intake, right? The totally cracked portion is your exhaust manifold? What a mess!!!
[This message has been edited by eti engineer (edited 10-27-2021).]
That is (or was) my crack in my headers. You asked if welding cracked headers works, it has worked for me for like 3k miles now. We will see how long it lasts, but I now live in a less rainy state so it shouldnt crack any time soon.
Heres a picture of them out, probably should have sent this first.
Also I pulled them off with the engine in the frame, just need small hands and hope that no studs are siezed
[This message has been edited by Xenoblast (edited 10-26-2021).]
You can check on "Row52" for cars in the Junk yards......usually even have a picture.
Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that the exhaust manifolds... a) haven't already been removed. b) (if still on the engine), aren't cracked as well.
That is (or was) my crack in my headers. You asked if welding cracked headers works, it has worked for me for like 3k miles now. We will see how long it lasts, but I now live in a less rainy state so it shouldnt crack any time soon.
Heres a picture of them out, probably should have sent this first.
Also I pulled them off with the engine in the frame, just need small hands and hope that no studs are siezed
Man, your manifolds make mine look good!!! Thanks for the good news. It looks like I can pull mine, too. It will be a little tight on the front one, but I just recently had my engine on a stand after the rebuild, putting the exhaust manifolds back on it, so my studs will not be frozen into the engine. That is one advantage I have. I don't have small hands, though. I wear a size 14 ring!!!! (LOL) I am going to pull both of them and take a really close look at them. I have another front manifold on the way -- used but intact -- so I will probably put that one on the engine and get the old one welded as a spare.
There are two Fiero V6s in CA junk yards; One in Sacto (10/25) and one in Fairfield (10/6) So go grab some spares! (I should take this advice)
You can check on "Row52" for cars in the Junk yards......usually even have a picture.
Thanks for the info. I live in the Central Valley, Northern CA. Sacto is only 45 minutes away and Fairfield is about the same. Are these "Pick and Pull" sites, or have they already been pulled? Thanks for the info!!!
[This message has been edited by eti engineer (edited 10-27-2021).]
A used manifold costs 350 dollars from the Fiero factory.
Used may not last very long. You should be able to build a new one or repair one for far less than that. IMO, that price is really exorbitant.
------------------ " 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 "
Used may not last very long. You should be able to build a new one or repair one for far less than that. IMO, that price is really exorbitant.
I agree that the price is exorbitant, but it's only money. I'll make more. I'm retired and rich. I'm gonna sell the Fiero once I am done. I have done front engine, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, four wheel drive, mid-engine, rear engine and motorcycle projects now. I am going back to front engine, rear or four wheel drive, pre-smog vehicles or motorcycles. Much easier to work on. I don't think I will ever touch a mid-engine vehicle again.
[This message has been edited by eti engineer (edited 10-28-2021).]
Used may not last very long. You should be able to build a new one or repair one for far less than that. IMO, that price is really exorbitant.
It seems like with so many Fiero owners doing engine swaps, there should be a plethora of used engine parts floating around that they wouldn't be so expensive. $350 should get you a complete dressed engine including manifolds!
Also check your mounts, specifically the torque strut (up on top) and the forward transmission mount. If they are bad than the engine movement pivots right at the point of the manifold cracks.
It seems like with so many Fiero owners doing engine swaps, there should be a plethora of used engine parts floating around that they wouldn't be so expensive. $350 should get you a complete dressed engine including manifolds!
15-20 years ago so many guys were upgrading their 2.8 to something else you could get an engine free if you came and got it ( after they spent a few months trying to sell it)
I only wish I had had the space to store one ... 2 or 3
I sold a pair of exhaust headers for $60 including the shipping just b4 Xmas, cost me $19 to ship
Also check your mounts, specifically the torque strut (up on top) and the forward transmission mount. If they are bad than the engine movement pivots right at the point of the manifold cracks.
When I pulled the cradle out, I re-did the motor and transmission mounts. They are all new. The old front transmission mount was broken in half. Maybe the manifold was cracked before I did this work and I didn't notice it in the rebuild. The rest of the exhaust system is new, all the way to the tips. One thing the new exhaust system does that the old one didn't is, as it's warming up, the metal makes a snapping sound. Same as when it is cooling down. Cheap Chicom metal that is going to give me trouble in the future?
We're square now. It was me, but you already know that after our phone conversation (LOL!!!). Thanks for the comeback and I will be looking forward to getting the manifolds, but not to having to do the replacement...
