So my 1988 clutch is reaching the end of its life. My 2.8 has just under 80K original miles. I planned on just swapping the clutch and taking care of a couple of oil leaks but then..... I run across some NOS factory 3.1 Short Blocks still in the crates for $300 each.
I am not really inclined to do a bunch of mods, computer hacks and so nor do I have that kind of time on my hands on or I would do a 3800 swap. This is my daily driver and is still fairly minty as far as Fieros go. Reliability is more important than performance and I don't want to spend more than two weekends with my car torn apart. Adding a new short block would just add a valve job, head gaskets, and drilling/tapping for the starter to my original plan/timetable...
Should I stick with my original plan of swapping the clutch and some gaskets and seals or add a new short block to the mix? What are my pitfalls?
Thanks. The really hard to get to seals/gaskets are definetly my goal here. I am not 100% sure if my clutch problems are due to wear or oil contamination. Either way, the clutch needs to come out and I ALWAYS replace the rear main seal if I am already right there.....
While it's already Out. ALL seals, Exhaust manifold gaskets, Water pump, loosen/ retighten Alt bracket Bolts, Cradle bushings, in general, do everything that's a PIA when it's in the car.
I would find it hard to pass up the $300 short block --- 0 miles is quite attractive. Since you don't want the extended down time of a major swap, why not spend a bit more and go to the 3.1? You can't get the more desirable 3.4 short block for $300 (at least I haven't found anything close to that). You won't have to clean up and lug your 2.8 short block to the shop to get it rebuild (much more than $300 I imagine). Experts -- isn't it true that the 3.1 would better support easy mods like ported-exhaust and 1.6 rocker arms?
If I was in the situation that the OP is in, I'd be more inclined to just swap out the clutch. 80,000 isn't all that many miles, especially on an '88 2.8 that has improved oiling compared to the previous years. If the price on the 3.1 short block is such a bargain, buy it and stash it away for future use/re-sale.
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Originally posted by mmeyer86gt/gtp:
make sure you do your rear main seal that is usually what fails causing most 2.8 v6;s to detonate.
Is this as much of an issue with the '88 2.8 engines?
i dont know but every person i have talked to over the 20 years i have been into fieros if they changed that seal at least 1 time before 100k the engines lasted past the 150 or so milage blow up that most people seem to have.
Also change the timing chain if that wasn't already mentioned.
You also need to check which 3.1 pistons are on this block. If the pistons have about a ~21cc dish then you have the aluminum head pistons. Your compression ratio would drop way too low.
