4.6 Northstar Swap Project (Page 4/22)
copperhens NOV 13, 06:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by Spadesluck:

Glad no one was hurt. A cherry picker would have worked out with better results if you had one.



It’s on the list that’s for sure.
Dennis LaGrua NOV 17, 11:58 AM
Sorry to hear about the incident but if everyone is OK thats good news. IMO, it difficult to do a swap without a hoist or lift. The N* swap has been done before but I don't believe in great numbers on Fieros. You can locate good engines but the N* is known for head gasket failures so I would recommend a compression or cylinder leakdown test before you install it. The good news here is that you have the trans, axles and mounts so its just a new clutch and connection of wiring, coolant and fuel lines that should get you going. Best of luck on the project.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

copperhens NOV 18, 04:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Sorry to hear about the incident but if everyone is OK thats good news. IMO, it difficult to do a swap without a hoist or lift. The N* swap has been done before but I don't believe in great numbers on Fieros. You can locate good engines but the N* is known for head gasket failures so I would recommend a compression or cylinder leakdown test before you install it. The good news here is that you have the trans, axles and mounts so its just a new clutch and connection of wiring, coolant and fuel lines that should get you going. Best of luck on the project.




I just picked up a cherry picler the other day. Would've been nice last week though, so we could've held up the car.
I am going to get a Northstar head stud kit. I only need the studs though because a friend of ours has all the stuff to drill them in. It doesn't seem like a lot, but it also does seem like a lot haha.
Thank you.
copperhens NOV 18, 05:22 PM
Today has been very busy, and expensive lol. I bought a cherry picker Thursday, and an engine stand today. Harbor Freight has been having 20% off deals, which is nice. My dad and I built them both today. I was really close to buying a used cherry picker for $75, but it didn't fold. I'm pretty happy I got a new one that does fold now that I think about it.


With the new cherry picker, we got the seized off the cradle. The mounts were well done it seems, but the guy who built it used a bunch of different sized bolts. Anyway, the driveshafts were being stubborn so we had to disassemble the linkages.


The tranny was also a bit stubborn to get off. The PO said he broke the clutch when he tried to crank the engine. I had my fingers crossed, and the clutch seems to be in good shape, which would be great since it's apparently a spec 3.


I had a suspicion the transmissions I had were different... And they are. The one that came with the Northstars I got is the F23, the the rear. The one that came from the seized engine is in the front, is a MG2(thanks to Charlie for that info). If I decided to use the F23, which I probably should, I will have to alter the trans mounts.


Also, a good family friend of ours, Mr. Eric, offered that I bring the engine I am going to rebuild to his garage since it is heated. He lives a few minutes away only, so we loaded up the '96 Northstar and brought it over. I can't thank him enough.
copperhens NOV 21, 09:13 PM
I only worked on the '96 for an hour yesterday, and I'd like to think I had made some pretty good progress. I'll try to take some more pictures in the future, to show what I'm doing more. I really didn't document well last night...

I started with clearing off the spark plug wires, some vacuum lines, and some coolant lines. The rear valve cover was easy to remove.


It was also super dirty, and was among some of the parts I brought home so I could at least clean it.


The intake and manifold also came off easier than expected. Do have to remove the fuel rail first though that is mainly clipped on.


I took the starter out and brought it home. It's not very dirty, but I will clean it up anyway, and crack it open to check the insides too.


Not too shabby. I will have to compare this to my spare set of heads I have at home and see what is in better shape.


For having almost 200k miles, this engine is cleaner than I expected. I bought the bolts to get this thing up on the engine stand to continue disassembly. I hope to get it up there on Friday.
copperhens NOV 23, 06:44 PM
Today, Mr. Eric helped me out and we got the engine torn up.

Our first issue came with the engine stand. The bell-housing was too small and the one arm didn't fit. So, had to drill a new hole in the arm, and it worked out nice.


To get the crank bolt out, we had to flip the engine, so we could jam a piece through the windage tray the stop the engine from cranking. Also, had to buy a pulley puller for it, and modify it to fit of course.


There was more coolant that spilled out than oil when the engine was rotated.


Caught some pieces in here.


There sure are a bunch of pieces.


Now to take this backer off, so we could loosen then chains that were around the cams.


Mr. Eric said the chains and gears had very little wear on them.


The head bolts were tough to get out. Here's to breaker bars and busted knuckles.


This engine wasn't driven too hard. Lots of carbon build up.


The head gasket seemed to leak at this one piston. You can see the rust build up. The other ones were good though.


So much carbon.


It's getting barren.




The crank is clean too.






Apparently I don't have to send the bock out to be honed, because Mr. Eric has the tools to do it.



These guys are also in good shape. I'm going to clean them up and reuse them.


Now that the block is barren, I'm going to take it to the local "do it yourself" car wash, so I can clean all the grease and crap off. Once it's clean, we can finish honing and start reassembly.
Phlebmaster NOV 26, 09:45 PM
Subscribed! I have a Northstar donor car (my daily driver now) and was curiously considering this option. Thank you for all of the pictures, I look forward to your progress. Nice work so far, keep up with those descriptions with your pictures so I can glean as much as possible.

Good on you for taking on the challenge!

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Aaron H
1986 Fiero GT 2.8- A dream car of mine since childhood- Stock now, but looking for creative options to upgrade this wonderful car
2000 Caddy Deville- Has the Northstar- possible donor engine

copperhens NOV 27, 06:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by Phlebmaster:

Subscribed! I have a Northstar donor car (my daily driver now) and was curiously considering this option. Thank you for all of the pictures, I look forward to your progress. Nice work so far, keep up with those descriptions with your pictures so I can glean as much as possible.

Good on you for taking on the challenge!



Thanks, man! What type of Cadillac are you driving?

A great Northstar build was done by Bloozberry as well on Pennocks, which I'd suggest checking out. I've referenced it several times.
copperhens NOV 27, 06:52 PM
On Sunday, I took the block to the local car wash and power washed it. A guy stopped by and said you don't often see someone pull out an engine block from the back if their car(thank goodness aluminum is light). I told him about the engine and how it's going into a Fiero, and he told me his neighbor keeps a Fiero in a heated garage. More Fieros popping up in my town(there has been a half dozen in past year)! Anyway, even after a power wash, there was still a lot of grime on it , so took it back to Mr. Eric's garage to do some more cleaning.


I ran up to Harbor Freight and got some fine brushes for a dremel, which got pretty beat up, but did their job. Carb cleaner and purple power helped too. I don't think I'll polish it... It looks pretty good just being wire brushed and clean!


My dad was standing around, so I had him work on the water pump lol.


My gaskets came today. I got them from partsology.com for $154.42, which included free overnight shipping. I ordered them Friday though, and the holiday messed that up. Either way, still need my piston rings to come before I can do much to assemble the engine. Also waiting on the head studs, and the oil distribution manifold.

[This message has been edited by copperhens (edited 11-27-2018).]

Phlebmaster NOV 27, 07:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by copperhens:

Thanks, man! What type of Cadillac are you driving?

A great Northstar build was done by Bloozberry as well on Pennocks, which I'd suggest checking out. I've referenced it several times.



It’s a 2000 Deville. Runs great with lowish miles for the year ... 130,000. That engine is a rocket in the big car and it would be amazing in the light GT.

Thanks for the tips on more swap information. Looking forward to seeing your version.

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Aaron H
1986 Fiero GT 2.8- A dream car of mine since childhood- Stock now, but looking for creative options to upgrade this wonderful car
2000 Caddy Deville- Has the Northstar- possible donor engine

[This message has been edited by Phlebmaster (edited 11-27-2018).]