Iron Duke Identification (Page 1/1)
Indy-453 APR 27, 09:49 PM
Hello all. Indy Fiero number 453 has come into my possession. However sometime long ago (pre 1998 as per the last registration sticker on the plate), the car got a new iron duke. I was hoping to find information about this engine, particularly where it came from, anything different about this engine over a Fiero one. Ive found the engine stamp, Z8H, but I cannot find anything online for this stamping. The other clue is that this engine is blue. As far as I can tell, all Fiero dukes are black, and I remember that the duke in my 85' 6000 was also black. This points me towards it being an older engine. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Attached pictures: Identification stamp, Re builders Tag, Block partly stripped, and the reason for this madness (edited to have more reasonable sized pictures)







[This message has been edited by Indy-453 (edited 04-27-2020).]

Gall757 APR 27, 10:17 PM
Welcome to the forum!

General Motors was forced to replace a lot of engines in '84 Fieros. Looks like you got a remanufactured one.
theogre APR 28, 02:43 AM
See my Cave, Duke Quick Ref

But this is been rebuilt by whatever aftermarket rebuild co. so you can't even order parts just for that and other Engine ID sites.

Example: If have "Head saver" shim w/ head gasket then block, head, or both have been decked to flatten it/them and cause problem if either/both needs more cutting.

Likely the mains, rods, Cylinder and more are over or under size cutting too.

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fierosound APR 28, 12:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

But this is been rebuilt by whatever aftermarket rebuild co. so you can't even order parts just for that and other Engine ID sites



Agreed. Appears to have been rebuilt by Reliable Engine/Machine whatever by sticker on the side.
Any good rebuilder will mic all the parts to see what's different from factory spec. before ordering parts.


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[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 04-28-2020).]

Indy-453 APR 28, 11:30 PM
Thanks all. So its not worth worrying over the block. Now I did tear it down, and the rings where all broken so they need to be replaced at the very least, perhaps it will get a more thorough rebuild. But one more question regarding the connecting rods. The number 2 rod in this engine is slightly differently shaped, specifically the flats that the last shop stamped the numbers on. I'm pretty sure I am just getting worked up about nothing, but I better check for my own peace of mind.


theogre APR 29, 01:32 AM
They reused or replace 1 rod or all from different source(s).

Broken rings is often mean they installed them wrong w/o proper end gap.
IOW Rings get hot normally and break soon w/o that.

God knows what other corners they cut...

Better to just find 85 86 engine that runs then fix this.
Even if has to rebuild later have a better starting point.
Indy-453 MAY 04, 09:24 PM
So I have a few options.

1) throw this duke back together with minimal parts and hope for the best. Pro: cheap. Con: unknown parts, not guaranteed to work

2) source a new duke. The local Facebook page said there’s 3 4-cylinder cars at the wrecker yard and it’s finally warm out. Pro: a complete engine. Con: may still need a lot to get running.

3) theres a $200 V6 from a 86 firebird that came up for sale today. Pro: 135 hp. Con: this car is not set up at all for a V6.

[This message has been edited by Indy-453 (edited 05-04-2020).]

Gall757 MAY 04, 09:29 PM
I vote for option one...
edfiero MAY 05, 12:35 PM
Unless the Duke's in wrecking yard are from an 84, I'd probably vote for option 1 as well.

If the wrecking yard duke is an 84 and you can confirm it turns over, and isn't locked up, then I'd go with option 2.