Another Katatak Fiero Adventure! (Page 47/72)
katatak NOV 26, 11:16 PM
Did not get much done on the Coupe today. I got up early and went to the Mega Pull - looking to see if they had any "fresh" Fiero's. Found only one - a sad looking 84 base coupe - no options, no AC, etc. Motor and trans were removed but the cradle was bolted in. The 4 spd was in the trunk along with both axles - I think I'll go back tomorrow and pick up those axles. Never can have enough manual outer axles! There really is nothing else salvagable on this car. It looks like is was buried in the sand dunes with the windows down.

I was also looking for a 3800SC motor - they sell motors at this mega pull for 199.00 - you take your chances but 200 bucks for a buildable core is not too bad. I found one and there is definitely something wrong with the blower - turns real easy about 180 degrees then there is a clunk! It will still rotate but feels goofy. Spin it the opposite direction and it's free for 180 the clunk. Like there are teeth missing off a gear!

I am also looking for a 500 Caddy motor. Right in the front row of the GM section is a 71 Sedan DeVille. I open the hood and the motor is missing the manifold and heads. A quick check of the emissions sticker showed that it is a 472. I check the trunk and what do I find? 2 Brand new - wrapped in plastic GM 472 heads - complete! So I contemplate snagging them! But I really want a complete 500 motor - I could grab these heads and maybe sell them for a profit - but how many people in El Paso are looking for 472 Caddy heads? Maybe I'll change my mind by the AM.

Another item on my list was a GP Leather covered snake head auto shifter knob. Found several but they were in rough shape - picked up 2 in decent condition - 1 with the OD button and one without the OD button. I installed the OD version in the XTC - now I have a Nitrous button!

When I was done at the yard, I went to the 2 speed shops in town - I was looking for a T Stat / Fill housing for the Coupe. Same guy owns both speed shops and I ran into him at his original store. We got to BSing and spent an hour and a half there. He has some serious hot rod goodies in the back room! He had what I was looking for at his other store so I headed over there. When I got home, Jeff stopped by and we went looking for a couple of hood bumpers for his Vette and I needed a windshield washer pump for the wife's Durango. We spent another 2.5 hours wandering around junk yards. Found a perfect white Fiero Hood with the headlight doors! We did find the bumpers - but probably not the right ones and the pump for the Durango. All in all a succesful day but did not get any real Fiero work done.

Tomorrow we are going to try and button up Jan's 3.4 swap! Hope we can get her fired up tomorrow.

More later!

Pat
katatak NOV 28, 12:30 AM
Not much done to the V8 Coupe today! I did get one of the solid trans mounts fabbed up this AM then spent most the day over at Jan's working on his Formula. Did not get it fired up but it's pretty close now. Just have to install a few hoses, fuel lines and some odds and ends.

More later!

Pat
Rick 88 NOV 28, 09:04 AM
Pat, when do you plan on installing it? I have my long weekend coming up/
Frizlefrak NOV 28, 12:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by Rick 88:

Pat, when do you plan on installing it? I have my long weekend coming up/



Count me in too.
katatak NOV 28, 04:15 PM

quote
Originally posted by Rick 88:

Pat, when do you plan on installing it? I have my long weekend coming up/



I'm shooting for a motor stuff next Friday/Saturday - just waiting for the headers to show up. I have a few little things left to button up but I will get it all done this week. Finished the solid trans mount this morning after fixing the tail lights on the XTC and installing new locking hood pins. The mount turned out great. I am debating on messing with the other one - it's in a lot better shape than the one I built and not near as soft and flexible. I'll look at it a little closer this week.

Here's the mount!




More later!

Pat
katatak DEC 01, 11:42 PM
When I came home from work today, my Wife told me that my Christmas present came today and that I would have to leave it under the tree until Christmas day. I told her that it was OK - I'd just have to leave the Coupe in the garage till then. She handed over the box and said Happy Early Christmas.....

In the box - my new Shorty headers. Now I hope they will fit. I'm a little worried about the firewall side! It will be close and I may have to build a heat shield on the firewall? I'll know for sure Friday!

And the new headers:



I will install these bare so that I can build the exhaust and strat the motor for break in. Once it's all up and running, I will take the headers off and send them off for ceramic coating. This was the last piece I was waiting on to finish up the V8 Coupe's new motor. Maybe I can have it running this weekend????

More later!

Pat
katatak DEC 02, 10:52 PM
This evening, I decided to bolt on the headers and slip the motor in the car to check clearance. I was worried that these headers may be a little tight and I think I have to do some "engineering" to get some clearance both trunk side and firewall side. I was more worried about the firewall side but it actually looks better than the trucnk side. I have to remove the heater lines on the Firewall side and maybe relocate the crossover coolant tube/hose. The truck side looks to be a little tighter but I am planning on cutting the truck anyway so I can incorporate the "clearance" into the truck cut. Seems like a lot to do just to be able to use these headers but I was planning on the modifications anyway.

Motor with headers:



Slipin her in!


Firewall side:


Trucnk side:


More later!

Pat

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 12-02-2010).]

Tony Kania DEC 02, 11:39 PM
Wish that I could be there as an extra hand. Looking good. I may have to call up Fieroking, and put in some hours in his garage. Since Benjamin's birth, I have neglected my poor Fiero. I need to work on something...
katatak DEC 03, 12:43 AM

quote
Originally posted by Tony Kania:

Wish that I could be there as an extra hand. Looking good. I may have to call up Fieroking, and put in some hours in his garage. Since Benjamin's birth, I have neglected my poor Fiero. I need to work on something...



Hey Tony!

I'm sure Fieroking would let you do some wrenching! You need to take Benjamin with you though - You have to start him off right - get him addicted before he realizes what you've done to him........ I'ts probably too cold for Fiero work up North! My Mom lives in Pocatello and she says it's been colder than a Witch's T.... well you know what I mean! Come on down, it was 68 here today!

Pat
kennn DEC 03, 02:38 PM
Hey kat,

Where did you get that interesting looking jack for the motor/cradle assembly? Looks trick.

Ken

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'88 Formula V6
'88 GT TPI V8