Hi, Im trying to save my 88GT that got damaged by Sandy. If anyone has a starter they could sell cheap that can be used on an 88 automatic, or maybe i could trade some parts? Im out of work and cant buy a new one only to find out the engine is shot. Any help greatly appreciated!

I have a good one...PM sent

How cheap? You can get a newer style gear reduction starter out of salvage cars for probably $20-25.

whats is a gear red starter? Thanks for the info

Good man. Been there:

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/086803.html

Water well over the roof of the car after tropical storm Irene. Nearly gave up on it, but after some encouragement on the forums, I rolled up my sleeves and saved it.

I've got plenty of spare starters. I'll give you one for the cost of shipping if you want. Email me: kevincdennis@gmail.com

I have a used one you can have. I will even pay shipping. Thanks

Wow you guys are awesome. Im on Long island, and it went under 3 feet of water. I stripped the interior out, dropped the exhaust, and gas tank. The plugs are out and i filled them with marvel mystery oil. Its an automatic and I dropped the pan and cleaned out the fluid and replaced the filter. i will be doing that again if i get it started to make sure its clean. the seats cleaned up nicely and im replacing all the harnesses once i locate them. It has power everything. My 87 se as just as bad and my 80 Trans am also got it. The 88 is my baby and am power washing it inside and out to get all salt out of it. .

It sounds like you got a starter already, but LMK if you need anything else to get your '88 going again.

Sounds like you're on it. Cliffnotes from my experience, which may be of some use:

I powerwashed everything thoroughly. Its not the water, its the silt that gets left behind and makes the real mess. Once the interior was stripped I ran a dehumidified in the car with everything close up. This did a lot for drying hard to reach areas out. I tossed all the carpet backing and sound insulation. Doesn't seem to ever loose the smell or sediment. I actually didn't replace much mechanically/electrically (Even kept the battery) Electrical relays I opened and dried out. I hit absolutely every connector on the car: cleaned and greased with dielectric grease. I hooked a vacuum to up a small hose and vacuumed out the cylinders through the spark plug openings. Filled the cylinder with Marvels until I could fire it up to keep things from rusting. Muffler will be very much full. I actually disconnected the exhaust at the y pipe when I first fired it up. It smoked a lot from the Marvel's even getting out as much as I could.

Be sure to change the ICM, plugs, wires, cap, rotor. Even if they survived, they're not long for this world. Coolant should be fine.

I had a year or so of things slowly failing electrically: power window, headlight motor, but most of the stuff was fine. Just be sure its totally dry before putting power to it. Horn will likely be full of crap and not work. Nothing a big hammer can't fix.

Sorry that's pretty stream-of-consciousness. Big thing is to get it flushed out completely. Mine was fresh water. You might have additional concern with sea water and salt? Biggest thing is to stay motivated and positive. Its a hell of a lot of work, but worth it. Hang in there!

Thanks for all your help. I managed to get to the rear plugs today, took them out and loaded the cylinders up with marvel mystery oil. The gas tank went back in today along with a new filter. Once I get a starter and something to put where the cat was(it was a brand new rodney dickman cat) I will be trying to turn her over with the plugs removed.

Ya can't beat FREE plus pay the shipping. But you might consider this: The supercharged Buick 3800 starter will fit and I've been told they spin the engine over faster. That was the one I used when it was replacement time on my '88. Frankly, dunno whether it was actually better or not but in my MIND it was!

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John

Well my second casualty just Popped.. The egr valve Popped in 2, I guess the salt water finaly did it in. if anyone has one for sale let me know. Thanks.

I sent the starter out today and you have a PM. Thanks