World's slowest Fiero/Quad 4 Swap (Page 11/51)
Quad Raider FEB 26, 09:54 PM
I took a break from color sanding and did the brake booster switch over. I had read several threads on here about switching over to the '96 Blazer brake booster, but then read a couple of threads about using any booster from a mid-90s full size GM pickup/SUV. Along the way I spent a couple hours in the salvage yard comparing and contrasting different boosters and realized they're all about the same.

I ended up getting a booster from a mid-90s Silverado. One day while noodling around the internet I came across a thread by Lunatic on another forum, which demonstrates how to eliminate the need for modifying the push rod. You just disassemble both boosters, switch over the push rod and reassemble the bigger one:

http://www.gtfieros.com/php...&hilit=brake+booster

The step by step instructions and photos were great. The only trouble I had was putting the booster back together again. I just could not get the front cover to twist back into position without a lot of pounding with a hammer.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 02-26-2019).]

Quad Raider FEB 26, 10:03 PM
While contorting myself to get under the dash to reattach the brake push rod, I discovered this:



Looks like the clutch safety switch quit working and the previous owner had someone wire this jumper. I've seen a few threads about leaving it this way, but using the same circuit to install a cutoff switch as a theft prevention device. I may do that eventually.

I also made another discovery. Somehow in the 8+ years I've been working on the car, I'd never checked the fluid level in the clutch reservoir.



As you can see, it's just about empty. This caused a light bulb to go off. Years ago when I pulled up the driver's side carpet I was surprised to see a huge patch of surface rust. I'd assumed the previous owner spilled a soda down the console. But recently I came across a thread about the clutch master cylinder leaking and the fluid running down the firewall and under the carpet.

I mentioned it here:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Quad Raider:

Here are couple more random photos I'd thought were lost.

The first is what the driver's side floor pan looked like when I first pulled the carpet out. The car had very little rust, except for this.

I think the original owner must've spilled a coke down the console, because the bottom of the car looks great and there aren't any holes.



So now I know the real culprit. I'll set this aside for now because I want to finish the body.
Quad Raider FEB 26, 10:06 PM
Someone on the Fiero Facebook group posted this Hot Rod article about using the Prius electric power steering setup because it has a fail safe mode that kicks in when there's no signal from the computer. That means, other than having to connect power to it, it's a stand-alone installation. Since I've never actually driven a Fiero, including my own, I don't have the proper perspective to decide if I want to try it.

https://www.hotrod.com/arti...yard-prius-delivers/

The article mentions some hot rodders who've use it, but I'd like to see one installed in a Fiero.
Quad Raider FEB 26, 10:10 PM
To-do list:

-finish buffing/sanding body or whatever
-finish installing body trim
-install stainless steel sunroof tracks
-install sunroof weatherstripping
-install chin spoiler and associated hardware
-remove dash
-install power window/mirror/locks wiring harness
-refinish dash, add glove compartment/drink holders
-install dash

-engine/transmission setup
Zeb FEB 27, 09:26 PM
Thanks for the photo of the scoop on the roof. Might be just a bit too long to get the effect I was thinking of. But makes me think. ....

But yeah, won't work with a sunroof!
Habanera Hal FEB 27, 11:12 PM
I think you are doing a great job. If you've color sanded to 1000 grit or finer, try spraying a catalyzed clear coat onto it.

https://repaintsupply.com/s...lear-coat-p3685.html

That should give you the shine you're looking for.
Quad Raider MAR 01, 08:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by Habanera Hal:

I think you are doing a great job. If you've color sanded to 1000 grit or finer, try spraying a catalyzed clear coat onto it.

https://repaintsupply.com/s...lear-coat-p3685.html

That should give you the shine you're looking for.



Thank you very much.

I think I’ll try sanding it with 1500 grit one more time, then seriously consider clear coating it. At the beginning of this process I was sure I’d be satisfied with a decent paint job, but now I see that it’s so close to a great paint job, I might as well go for it.
Quad Raider MAR 03, 06:16 PM
I learned some hard lessons this week. Before reinstalling the rear fascia, make sure you've attached the reflectors first. Also, be very gentle with the 30-year-old plastic. Also, don't pound the steel clips flat before installing, they're supposed to be bent slightly to fit over the pins on the reflectors.



I was irritated that I had to remove the fascia to install the relfectors, but I was disgusted when I broke one trying to install the clips. That led to a 30-minute detour which involved getting one of my spare rear fascias out of the attic to remove the reflectors from it. In the process I saw that I'd removed the reflectors from the OE fascia I stored up there, which means they’re sitting somewhere in the shop.

I also learned that you have to install speed nuts on the front fenders and the rear clip in order to reinstall the side marker lights.





In the process, I color sanded the car one more time with a DA sander and a 3,000-grit pad. The car looks amazing, as long as it's wet. I'm leaning toward adding a clear coat.

We had a winter storm this morning which brought 2" of snow and bitter cold temperatures, so I'm in no hurry to get back over to the shop now.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 03-03-2019).]

Quad Raider APR 03, 10:14 PM
Work on the Fiero has come to a stand still for a couple of reasons. One, I've decided to clear coat the car but it will have to wait until I can replace or repair my air compressor.

Two, I'm working to finish my best friend's 2005 Ford F150. I changed out the cam phasers, timing chains, guides and tensioners and got it all back together only to find that it runs like crap. I don't know Fords very well, but I will never own one after working on this thing. Bad cam phasers are a common problem, but so is a vacuum leak either at the doodad that controls the 4WD for the front wheels or the brake booster, or both. The fitting for the stupid brake booster vacuum line is on the back of the intake manifold buried under the firewall.



You can't see it, you can't even get your hand back there to feel it. Checking the F150 forums I found that many people buy Harbor Freight borescopes to see back there, so I bought a Chinese one for $11 on Amazon.

I had to download an app for it, but it actually works. It will not work on Apple devices, but luckily I have an Android phone and tablet. The cable is 15 feet long but it's not very stiff so I taped the camera to a piece of wire. The camera has six very bright and very small LEDs around it with an adjustment knob on the plug. It's designed to be plugged into a PC laptop but came with a couple of adapters for smartphones and tablets.


That is the fitting.


I figured I'll find all kinds of uses for this when I'm working on the Fiero and for 11 bucks it has a surprisingly good picture. It will also record video.

[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 04-03-2019).]

Quad Raider APR 13, 10:26 AM
Work on all my projects is on hold, because I did something really stupid last Sunday. I always, ALWAYS chock a vehicle before I get under it. Except on Sunday. I don't have a reason for why I didn't other than simple carelessness. I'm lucky I have only minor injuries. I know I could have been badly hurt or even killed.

As a warning to everyone else, here's what happened. I got under my friend's pickup in order to remove a vacuum fitting on the back of the engine. While I was under there, I knocked the transmission out of park and the truck started to roll down the driveway. I realized what was happening so I grabbed the bottom of the truck and swung my legs under the truck so they wouldn't be run over by the front wheel.

For a moment, I held the truck still, but then it started to roll. It's a 4x4 with a lot of ground clearance, but I knew the cross member and A arm wouldn't clear my fat belly, so I just held on, trying to use my heels to slow the truck down. The truck dragged me off the concrete pad in front of the garage onto the gravel driveway. A few seconds into the ordeal I realized I was growling at the top of my lungs, out of a mixture of adrenaline and rage at being so stupid.

The truck rolled all the way down the hill, just missing my car and our speed boat. It impacted the trailer holding our catamaran, bending parts of it but not damaging the boat. Instead of just holding on until the truck came to a stop, I decided I needed to just let it roll over me. The result is a scrape across my chest and gut, road rash on my lower back and a deep scrape on my left elbow, but that's it. I have some spectacular bruises but they don't hurt. I went to the ER to be checked out and they didn't find any problems.

The truck shredded my t-shirt and the ground scraped a hole in my jeans.



My sister shot video of the trail I left in the gravel. The gouges are from my heels.


I'm almost completely healed up, except for my left elbow, but it will be ok in a few more days.

So how do I feel? Lucky, grateful and stupid. The worst part is knowing I made my family worry thanks to my carelessness.