Almost forgot.. first, a shot of the cradle leaning against the parts car:
Now for the REAL find of the day, a Getrag from a '89 Corsica. I walked right by it twice, because I didn't think corsica's ever came with a manual option, and Joe walked up to it and said, "What's wrong with this Getrag?"
*slaps forhead*
The next 3 hours were spent wrestling it out of the corsica.
I figured out that my ball joint press works REALLY well to put in poly ($30 harbor freight special). I only used the wrench to really snug them in. 99% was just by hand.
I only needed the press for the big front A-arms, and the upshot of using it is those stupid end-caps actually fit without trimming. I KNOW there's no way these came close to fitting on the '86, and required trimming, but the fiero store lists the front poly kit the same part number for 84-88, so maybe these are made for the 88's and I shouldn't have bothered on the earlier car.
So, I finished up the fronts, and the rears were a piece of cake, and pretty soon, ALL DONE!
Here's a close-up shot of the front upper, I did this right, right? The center pins that came with the poly slipped right over the a-arm pin, and it looks right, just want to make sure before putting the washers and nuts back on.
That's all for now, if you noticed, in the complete shot, I tried to get my lower ball joints pressed in, but the powder coating made it a REALLY tight fit, so I'll have to run 'em down to the parts store for their hydraulic press.
Forgot to add, if you're going to do this some day, do yourself a big favor and make sure you grease the inner sleeve pin of the poly, to make sure the bolts won't rust to them. If they did, I don't think you'd ever get them off, those inner sleeves are hard core.
I figured out that my ball joint press works REALLY well to put in poly ($30 harbor freight special). I only used the wrench to really snug them in. 99% was just by hand.
I only needed the press for the big front A-arms, and the upshot of using it is those stupid end-caps actually fit without trimming. I KNOW there's no way these came close to fitting on the '86, and required trimming, but the fiero store lists the front poly kit the same part number for 84-88, so maybe these are made for the 88's and I shouldn't have bothered on the earlier car.
So, I finished up the fronts, and the rears were a piece of cake, and pretty soon, ALL DONE!
Here's a close-up shot of the front upper, I did this right, right? The center pins that came with the poly slipped right over the a-arm pin, and it looks right, just want to make sure before putting the washers and nuts back on.
That's all for now, if you noticed, in the complete shot, I tried to get my lower ball joints pressed in, but the powder coating made it a REALLY tight fit, so I'll have to run 'em down to the parts store for their hydraulic press.
More tomorrow...
That is the best looking 88 suspension I have seen. I wish my 88 looked that good. Now I want to go and do mine all over again to look like that. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great pics... I installed a full poly kit on my IROC, and will probably do the same to the 86 2M6 my son and I acquired. You will love the difference in handling. Thanks for the lift pics, you've given me some creative ideas... I have to remove my engine trans cradle, and I have limited facilities. Your pictures have given me new ideas... Looks like you guys are having fun.
I used that big U front mount bracket on my turbo car. It works well but the existing holes won't line up. Once you get the engine positioned, it will have to be redrilled.
I used that big U front mount bracket on my turbo car. It works well but the existing holes won't line up. Once you get the engine positioned, it will have to be redrilled.
It really won't work with 84-87 the mount on the cradle is in the wrong spot. I didn't want to cut the cradle and reposition the monut (powder coated cradle). So I ended up cutting the one ear off and making my own.. Worked pretty good. -Jason
I'm going to be going with Rodney's mounts after seeing the stock '88 mount prices, and I believe it will line up just purdy on the '88 cradle (bolt holes are already symmetrical). Even if I have to cut or redrill a bit, no biggy. I'm still waiting on fundage (88 brakes bankrupted me this paycheck.. ) so it'll probably be about a month until I get the engine & tranny mounted for fit.
It's funny you say that, here's a quick story about being married:
So, I hardly ever carry cash, usually using my debit card for purchases, as that way they're budgeted and accounted for. About a month ago, I got a refund for a toy (bought wrong one for kid), and they elected to return cash to me instead of putting it back on the card, as the cashier was new or something. Next day, I pulled out some cash to buy girl scout cookies at work (Stupid addicting substances..) and realized that the $5 bill was red/colored. I was flabbergasted! "Hey, when did they change the 5's?" I asked,
"Oh, about 2 years ago."
The ladies at the office all started laughing, realizing that I was completely whipped (even though I don't mind it..), and that I hadn't seen a bill that large in at least 2 years...
Oh well, c'est la vie, right? I guess it's obvious I'm married with children.
Only spend about an hour on the car tonight, had to come back in to work for the night..
Locked down the front passenger side arms, new inner/outer tie rods, spindle, and bearing, only to realize that I'd pushed the sway bar up out of the way and it wouldn't pass the upper arm.
*UGH*
So, supported the lower arm with a jack, unbolted the top arm, swiveled it out of the way, lowered sway bar, rebolted. Tomorrow, I'll get the driver's side done...
Next up on the hit parade, update some pictures, Finish pulling off all body panels cut / reflare front brake lines (stupid things will NOT unscrew, backs were fine) assemble drivers side front suspension
Great job Aaron. I kind of missed the last 2 weeks of your updates getting ready for Fiero Fest Let me know if you have any questions when you start in on the wiring...the N/A and SC engines are very similar, plus I have electronic factory service manuals for 2000-2005 GM cars including wiring schematics.
Ok, so I've discovered a big negative of having beautiful powder-coated suspension pieces.. Last night I was wrestling to put in the driver's side LCA with the new poly bushings, and of COURSE they're really tight, but I couldn't use my customary BFH approach.. I had to find a 2x4 to wedge in there and tap with a hammer until the pins were in the hole enough to pry flush with a screw driver..
After that HOUR, I got the driver's side inner and outer tie rods replaced.
That's ALL I got done on the drivers front before the heavens opened up from above, and I had to scurry and put tools away before they got rained on.
Finally finished up the front suspension. I though for sure I was going to get rained on, but only sprinkled.
passenger side:
Driver side: Car in sorry current state:
I can't believe it, but I actually broke one of the upper ball joint bolts on the driver's side, and even more surprising, I had the exact replacement in my box of random junk.
Also, I noticed that the sway bar links are slightly longer (ones that came from fiero store). They seem to work ok, just strange. I wonder if it's so the poly won't be at as great of an angle as the rubber would be throughout the suspension travel.. Hmm. I'll find out if it hits or not when I get it on the road.
Thanks, got the engine in the garage finally, need to save money for a BUNCH of stuff from Rodney Dickman, getrag FWD kit, cables, getrag mount brackets, poly engine mounts, getrag slave, etc.
I'm gonna personally finance that guy's retirement here in the next couple of months.
Right now I'm rebuilding the engine compartment of a '96 jetta to sell for some project car cash... As soon as that's done I'll be workin again.
I think I'm going to end up using the Fiero store HD clutch, as fieroking has used them with great success on his 4.9's and 3.4 DOHC. It feels very natural, and engages smoothly, while holding up to abuse for many years.
------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- Currently in the middle of my 88 + 3800NA swap
can i ask what flywheel, clutch and starter are you using? -strike-
Sorry, forgot the other 2 parts to that question: For the flywheel, I got a 96 camaro 3800 flywheel that will be machined down to .840" on the friction surface. Since I'm doing a NA build, the balance should remain the same, as the 96 camaro came with a 3800 NA motor too. As for the starter, I'm using whatever Joe happened to grab from the junkyard that came on the 3800.
With family in town for Christmas, Pre$ents to buy, etc, etc, it's slow going. I've got that 89 corsica Getrag and it's in nice shape, but I'm SO tempted to just go to the boneyard and grab a 4t65 and be done with it.. That would save at least $300... (Rodney getrag adapters, correct cables, and clutch).
(Go Canada!)
