My '88 Fiero - The Never-Ending Saga

[GTRS Fiero]

When changing out the oil pressure sending unit there's no need to make any changes in the dash.  If the sending unit has been changed and the wiring was spliced to the new terminal incorrectly, it may cause a problem, but more likely it would be a drain on the battery.  In my experience, a pegged gauge is the result of a bad sending unit or a bad ground.  If I recall, when you unplug the oil pressure sending unit, the gauge will peg with the ignition on.

I was thinking of the wiring on the temp sensor.  My bad.

[GTRS Fiero]

Very odd.  I can get the Michelin Defenders here, but not in San Antonio.  I can get the BF Goodrich here, but not in San Antonio.

They have Bridgestone Copias.

Many years ago, I was a tire tech.  I HATE mounting, but I can still do an electronic balance as well as anyone else.

[fiero4.3L]

I have a re-engineered harbor freight changer with extra spoons and rin protectors along with a spin balancer. It is so nice to not have to wait on somebody else.

I usually buy from Pep Boys or Walmart, sometimes tire rack but they wanted to argue about the vehicle as to what it was going on. I told them it was a kit car and they had nothing to say. I have not been back.

I worked at pep boys in high school selling tires and behind the counter. Folks would come in for advice, see me as a kid on one end of the counter and the retired railroad guy on the other end. They'd go out of their way to ask him, and then he'd come ask me.

[GTRS Fiero]

You're more knowledgeable than I am.  I don't like waiting, either.

[GTRS Fiero]

Well, this experience has Fiero written all over it.  I've learned more about transmissions than I never wanted to know.

Who knew?  3-speed torque converters and 4-speed torque converters are not compatible.  The torque converters from the 4T60, and 4T<everything else> are not compatible.

I've learned about the bands for the gears, and gear packs.  I've learned about transmission clutches, valve body, and coolant lines.  I've learned about how the TV cable works.  I've learned about hydraulics in the transmission.

I've learned that some places in the US are geographically located such that shipping from anywhere takes 2 weeks.

And I've learned that the majority of transmission shops know less about transmissions than I do.

[fiero4.3L]

For those interested in transmission rebuilding, this guy is a great resource on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/hiramgutierrez

I always pickup a copy of the atsg service book(s) for whatever automatic trans I'm working on.

[GTRS Fiero]

My Fiero is at the exhaust shop.  It should be buttoned up shortly.

[GTRS Fiero]

Add one more thing to the faulty list.  The coil packs were bad.

The exhaust will have to be re-done.  The pipe from the cat to the muffler hangs too low.  Call me picky, but the underside of a GM should be flat.  There shouldn't be pipes and things sticking put all over the place underneath, just because someone is too lazy/cheap to make the proper bends in the pipe.

[GTRS Fiero]

Ick!

[Fierofool]

Bad compressor or failed to flush the system?

[GTRS Fiero]

Dunno.  Last Summer, my Fiero started smoking.  I turned off the AC, and the smoking stopped, so I drove it without AC.  The plan was to replace the compressor anyway, so I just added this to the list.

Today is charge the AC day.  The system should be flushed, and it gets a new compressor and dryer.

Cleaned the resistor and heater box.  Replaced the heater core.

[GTRS Fiero]

We're getting close.  It still needs powder-coating, the rest of the break-in, checking the cruise, some logging, checking the brakes, finish the AC, tires, an alignment, and fix the exhaust.  Then we can see what we have.

The programming is good, so far.

Then it'll need a serious detailing.

[Raydar]

Cool! It sounds like it's been a long, hard fought battle.
I wish you luck, going forward.

[GTRS Fiero]

Thanks.

I'm seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.  It's helped to have you all to keep me somewhat positive through this.

Sadly, much of the work I'd done to clean up my Fiero will have to be redone.

[GTRS Fiero]

The AC compressor won't come on.  Manually or via the HVAC control.

Meanwhile, the radiator fan caught fire.  New one by me.

In positive news, the local brewery is coming out with a Fiero beer.

I guess I could look at this in one of 2 ways:
1. Good things come to those who wait
2. Hell, it can only get better