World's slowest Fiero/Quad 4 Swap (Page 23/51)
Quadfather AUG 10, 06:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:

When the bolt is stuck to the sleeve, I normally grind each end of the bolt flush with the mounting ears, or below the surface if possible.

Then, I spread apart the mounting ears (or crossmember), and slip out the bushing that way.

Not sure if your junkyard will allow cutting/grinding tools...




They didn't say anything about my sawzall so I bet a grinder would be OK. I don't have a cordless one, so I bought a better, shorter blade for my sawsall and I think it will work.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 01-10-2022).]

Quadfather AUG 10, 06:16 PM
Having to rent a storage unit for my Fiero stuff inspired me to clean out and organize my own garage, which led to the discovery of some treasures.

My first car was a 1970 Pontiac LeMans Sport, which I got as a hand-me-down from one of my sisters in 1981. As much fun as it was, it made me wish for a GTO, which is why I bought these magazines as a teenager right about then. Look how much copy was given to the Fiero.
Quadfather AUG 10, 06:19 PM
Also found this, which I'd forgotten I'd bought in 2008 when I replaced the head in my Beretta GTZ.



If it seems I'm working on various other tasks as an excuse to avoid figuring out the ECM wiring for the engine swap, it's because that's exactly what I'm doing.
Quadfather AUG 23, 10:52 PM
Spent some time at the salvage yesterday but still couldn't get that control arm off.



I did pull the carpets and interior trim. I think the carpets are aftermarket.

Also, I never realized the rear trim pieces on an '84 wouldn't have speaker covers but it's obvious why they don't.



I bought this car's C203 connector to have an extra one to experiment with.

Once the weather begins to cool down I'll get back to work in the shop.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 08-23-2020).]

Quadfather SEP 20, 03:24 PM
Haven't made it back to the salvage yard. There's no hurry.

The weather has cooled off so I'm back in the shop. I'm still moving spare parts to my storage unit and that's how I found these.



I thought I had just ONE extra sway bar. I know the one on the bottom of the photo is a stock front Fiero unit. Anyone recognize the top one? Maybe it came off the '88 cradle I bought.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 09-20-2020).]

Quadfather OCT 04, 06:01 PM
Minor progress. Today I cleaned up the shop a bit and rearranged some tools. Then I took a look at my HO quad. The block has been sitting in a plastic bag for a few years.





I thought I'd done a good job of cleaning it. But then I came across a guy who races quads, doing YouTube videos on how to rebuild them.

https://youtu.be/p5_0V4gHrXE

I will take mine apart and clean it the way he recommends.

I decided to start reassembling the engine as part of the process of mating the quad’s wiring harness to the car’s. Years ago I bought all the parts for the rebuild, with the exception of the timing chain, gears and tensioner.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 10-04-2020).]

Quadfather OCT 04, 06:15 PM
Also started a little side project. After years of thinking about it, I started building my own hydraulic press. The materials are scrap I had lying around, including parts of an old Soloflex, boat trailer, and a dirt scraper my dad bought at a flea market probably 25 years ago.



My mig welder ran out of gas so no more progress today.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 10-04-2020).]

Quadfather NOV 17, 08:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Quadfather:






Well, the salvage yard has made a bunch of changes in the last couple of months, including the length of time it leaves cars in the yard. My family took a trip back east last month to attend a wedding, and by the time I got back to the yard, this car was gone. I’m not too sad that I didn’t get the A frame off of it, but I’m bummed that the extra parts I stashed in a van in the next row are gone.

After getting a new bottle of argon for my welder, I discovered the regulator was leaking. I ordered a new one and installed it tonight. Hope to finish up the press this weekend or next.

Next up will be disassembling the Quad, cleaning the block and then finishing the reassembly.
Quadfather NOV 25, 04:29 PM
Pretty much finished the DIY hydraulic press. I’ve been hoping to find a deal on Craigslist for a 20-ton jack, but Tractor Supply has them for 50 bucks.

Still have to source a couple springs for the return mechanism. Thinking about trying a couple hood struts from the salvage.

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 11-25-2020).]

Quadfather NOV 25, 04:43 PM
I’ve been cleaning up the shop, doing maintenance on tools and getting ready to reassemble my Quad. That has me thinking about removing the engine cradle from my car, which has me thinking about all the work I need to do to the cradle and suspension.

I saw this post by Chris Hodson and it clicked.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris Hodson:

Decided to go with 1989 Grand Am calipers on the rear. New rotors, pads, brake lines, Joints, etc. Took a bit to locate the parts I needed for the Held bump steer setup but I managed. New Boots on the axels. I got into the passenger side too. Built coilovers, took out the rust and repainted. So the rear is pretty much good to go. I'm going to flush new brake fluid through the lines before I connect the new calipers.

[QUOTE]

That reminded me of something Sardonyx posted in this thread three years ago, when he commented on me shortening the rear tie rods by 3”:

“I think ideally would be to move the tie rods to the control arms, but yet I have never seen anyone do it, except the ‘bump steer kit.’ It would completely eliminate the bump steer.”

So today I pulled a rear wheel off and had a look.



Sure seems as though it would be straightforward to beef up the A arm from the bottom, then weld a piece of heavy plate to the top and use a link like the one Chris used from the Held kit.

I set a piece of scrap angle iron on the A frame to demonstrate. Has anyone else tried this?

[This message has been edited by Quadfather (edited 11-25-2020).]