Messages

10396

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 86 Fiero SE

« on: November 25, 2008, 07:55:49 am »

Swelling could be part of the problem, but also moisture and sediment settles in the bottom of the piston bore and may cause the piston to tilt slightly.  The brake dust would only affect the sliders.  I don't know how the Chevette brake parts compare to the Fiero, but some are using the early 90's Grand Am front brakes as a replacement, and that gives them vented disks up front.  I believe the only thing you need do is to have a machine shop part the disk off your front hub, and install the Grand Am Disc over the hub, and the caliper is a direct bolt-on, having only to grind off one small piece of the caliper.  Fierostore sells the whole setup, ready to bolt on.

10397

General Fiero Discussion / Re: here is the car i bought

« on: November 24, 2008, 10:36:19 pm »

Not bad at all.  Looks just like one of the 4 in my driveway.  If you go to the home page and at the top click on the RFTH 13 link, you'll see it in the middle, in front of the waterfall.

First word of caution:  with the weather we've had the past few nights, especially north of you, the Fiero isn't a snow or ice car.  It'll turn around with you in a heartbeat if you hit a slick spot.  I did it at about 70MPH going down I-85.  Just a little bobble, then a 180 in the center of 5 lanes.  KWAPP.  Clean my drawers.

Now that you've got one, come out and join us on the 13th.  Let us know if you'll make the party, and how many.

10398

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 86 Fiero SE

« on: November 24, 2008, 10:24:49 pm »

Hey, it's the front brake calipers that have the phenolic pistons.  The engine has aluminum pistons.  All Automatic Fieros were equipped with the TH125 transmission.  Some have installed later model FWD electronic transmissions, especially in the 3800SC, LS and LT1 and 4.9 engine conversions. 

I've heard of people jumpering the fuel pump and pumping out through a disconnected line, but you can't pump it out through the filler due to the anti-spill device.  It'd be best to remove the tank anyway so you could replace the pickup screens and wash the tank of all debris. 

ATF is indeed a good solvent, but one caution;  if it has silicone in it, you could possible foul the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter upon startup.  Diesel fuel is a good alternative, but if left too long, as you know, will absorb moisture.  Kerosene, not mineral spirits, works well, too. 

As for the calipers, Don Hulse usually keeps a couple of sets of rebuilt calipers on hand.  Relatively cheap, plus your old ones for core.  He's the one that lives out in Douglasville.

10399

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 86 Fiero SE

« on: November 22, 2008, 02:56:05 pm »

Welcome to our little niche in the auto world.  Sounds like a good find, if the car was only driven for 6 years, though apparently, it had some problems if it was parked.  

I've never pulled one out of storage that's been sitting that long, but 2 obvious things that need to be drained are the oil pan and the fuel tank.  I think I'd pull all the plugs, put some auto trans fluid, Lucas Oil or Marvel Mystery Oil into each cylinder, let it sit for a few days, and try to turn the engine over by hand.  If a manual, put it in one of the higher gears and try to move the car forward by hand.  If an automatic, you'd need to put a wrench on the crank and turn it.  I think I'd do that at least once a day for maybe a week, rotating it maybe a half dozen times each day.  For a manual, you're probably going to have some issues with the clutch master and slave cylinders, too.

After you've changed the oil and got the engine rotating smoothly, pull the distributor, and drive the oil pump with a power drill to get oil circulated throughout the engine.  You may have to fashion a drive rod to fit into the oil pump.  Next, I'd probably replace the screens on the fuel pump while the tank's out, and replace the fuel filter.  

In all probability, the front brake pistons are stuck.  The 86's used phenolic pistons which were bad to stick after sitting for a while.  Often, the rear ones work just fine.  

Our club is fortunate to have 2 members who work on Fieros, and they often have replacement used or rebuilt parts on hand.  One of them is over in Douglas County.  We also have a cash account set up with Main Auto Parts which will give you a discount on new parts.  

Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Charlie
VP-Georgia Fiero Club

10400

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 1986 SE 2M6

« on: November 09, 2008, 07:23:06 pm »

Anytime you use a tire that's taller than the stock 215/60/15 on the rear, you will be registering slower MPH than you are actually running.  In my case with the 245/60/15's, I replaced my stock 30 tooth VSS gear for a 29 tooth.  This speeds up the speedometer, but it's not enough to make it accurate.  It's still off by 10 %, where the 30 tooth was off by about 15%.  I just calculate my mileage as such:  Showing 60 MPH, add 10%=66 MPH real speed.  Showing 65 MPH, add 10%=71.5 MPH real speed.

My brother is running 255/60/15's on the rear of his with an stock wheels and an automatic.  I've never heard of another gear available for the automatic VSS, but logically the autos that came in the cars with 14 inch wheels should have one different than the ones that came with 15 inch wheels, unless the recalibration was accomplished by the final drive gear in the transmission that drives the VSS.

10401

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 1986 SE 2M6

« on: November 09, 2008, 12:20:20 am »

Changing one manual for a different manual isn't a major problem.  Getrags tend to be a little more costly than the other trannies.  The Isuzu 5-speed is plentiful because it was available in all 85-88 4-cylinders, while Getrags were available only for 2 1/2 years, those years being the lowest production years.  The Isuzu holds up pretty well unless you're going to really beat on it, like at the drag strip, but then if you blow it, they're usually available for under $150. 

To change from a 4 to a 5 speed Isuzu can be done for as little as the cost of the transmission, a throwout bearing, and the shifter and cables.  The Getrag would require the additional purchase of a slave cylinder, I believe.  I'm thinking the 85/86 4-speed slave is the same as the Isuzu and the Getrag is different in its size and bore.

I can't help you with the aftermarket wheels.  As with any wheel, the offset is a big factor in what size tire you can fit under the car.  I've only dealt with the stock Fiero wheels, and I can tell you that on the 15 inch cross lace wheels, you can get 215/60/15's under the front without scrubbing, and 255/60/15's under the rear of the 84-87's.  The rears have less than 1/8 inch clearance to the strut with that size, but don't scrub.

Edit:  Found this link on Pennocks.   http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/058236.html    There are several other threads.  In the Technical section do a search for "wheel offset" 

10402

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 1986 SE 2M6

« on: November 08, 2008, 07:21:24 pm »

Yeah, there's a lot involved in converting from auto to manual.  Engine wiring harness for a manual and automatic are different, ECM is different, clutch pedal assembly with Neutral Start Clutch-in safety switches and related harnesses attached to the clutch for disengaging the cruise would be needed, then you'd have to get the complete hydraulic system and install the line from the master to the slave cylinder, which can be a beatch.  Then swap out the shifter and cables.  The steering column is different due to the lockout on the manual, but I've heard of people using the automatic column.  Probably much more.  I've only listed the things I recall hearing or reading about.

10403

Tech Tips, Tech Questions / Re: Link to do a 3.4 Swap

« on: November 08, 2008, 07:08:43 pm »

so the idea is to buy a used 3.4 and rebuild it before the swap? i'm wondering is 20hp worth that much money? i'd like to get at least 40 or 50hp if i was spending that kind of time,money,and labor. isn't there some motor out there thats pretty close to the same weight and size and not anymore money than the 3.4 to swap? do you plan to do anything to the 3.4 to squeeze out a few more horses?  oldone in c'ville

Like TopNotch said, I plan to do some work on the exhaust manifold, at a minimum, and maybe have another chip custom burned.  The 3.4 is an exact replacement for the 2.8, requiring only drilling to relocate the starter to the left side, and buying a flywheel if you don't already have one for an 88.  So, if you rebuild a 2.8, it costs you about the same, less the drilling and flywheel.  Therefore, your extra 20 HP costs you just a few bucks more.  You could add higher ratio rocker arms and a custom chip to the 3.4 and maybe go the route that Raydar went, with a Truleo intake.  I'd just guess that he might be up about 190 HP.  The sweet thing about the 3.4 is that you don't have to have custom harnesses or motor mounts or anything else made.  It's a drop-in.  You''ve already got everything on your old 2.8 to put onto the 3.4. 



With Peter's Grooms remanufactured 3.4, all we bought was a flywheel and a set of used Mustang 5 Liter injectors, totaling about $150.

10404

General Fiero Discussion / Re: 1986 SE 2M6

« on: November 07, 2008, 10:54:13 pm »

The graphics doesn't sound standard for an SE.  Possibly an owner or dealer applied addition.  To compare, take a look at this link from Craigslist Atlanta.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/894039545.html

Rob's right about the brakes.  If it's been sitting that long, expect to replace or rebuild the front calipers.  And ants will eat up the wiring in the car. 

10405

Tech Tips, Tech Questions / Re: Link to do a 3.4 Swap

« on: November 07, 2008, 10:43:25 pm »

The 3.4 is rated at 160 HP.  So it's about 20 HP.  It would cost you ~ the same to rebuild a 2.8 as to rebuild a 3.4, so in that respect, the extra HP is free.

The Grooms 3.4 we put into Peter Hoover's car cost about $1600 plus about $100 for shipping from Nashville.  There was no core charge as they don't rebuild 2.8's.  Add a $50 flywheel if you don't have one from an 88, plus a gasket set and maybe some new injectors for about $200 or a set of used ones for about $100, and that's about it other than a few miscellaneous items.  I've got a used one in my garage with 21000? miles that I picked up for $300 that's destined for my 87.

My engine didn't come with the injectors, so I plan to pick up a set of #17 pintel injectors, instead of using disk injectors like the Camaro/Firebird used. 

10406

Tech Tips, Tech Questions / Re: Link to do a 3.4 Swap

« on: November 06, 2008, 05:55:15 pm »

The above article was written by Pennocks member crazyd, and is used with his permission.  If the link doesn't work, be patient.  He said he will try to maintain his server and keep the link working.

10407

Club News / Re: ETFC Fall Cruise with the Honda Element Club Oct. 25

« on: October 25, 2008, 06:30:33 am »

I'll have an open seat next weekend at the RFTH 13 rerun, too.  Invitation's still open.  BTW, check out Alfa Seltzer's For Sale ad on this forum.  $1200 for a running 88 Formula is a bargain.  Needs a little work, but might be a foot in the door of a Fiero for you.

10408

Club News / Re: ETFC Fall Cruise with the Honda Element Club Oct. 25

« on: October 24, 2008, 03:26:54 pm »

cogcaviz24, you riding along with us?

10409

Club News / Re: ETFC Fall Cruise with the Honda Element Club Oct. 25

« on: October 23, 2008, 12:23:52 pm »

She works at a bank and has to work every other Saturday.  This is her weekend to work. 

Talking with Ashby this morning, and he tells me that Don won't be going on the cruise.  Busted transmission.  I haven't heard it officially, yet, but I'm sure Ashby has good information.

10410

Club News / Re: ETFC Fall Cruise with the Honda Element Club Oct. 25

« on: October 23, 2008, 08:59:47 am »

I have an empty seat.  So does Ray.