Another Katatak Fiero Adventure! (Page 48/72)
katatak DEC 03, 09:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by kennn:

Hey kat,

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

Ken




Hey Ken,

It's a Motorcycle/ATV jack! It works perfect for swapping Fiero motors! I just lay a couple 2X6's long enough for the cradle to sit on and away I go. This particular jack has a lot of Fiero experience. It's up to about 10 or 11 swaps now. I keep planning on building a platform that I can pin or bolt to the jack platform that fits the cradel a little better. I installed the V8 this afternoon - by myself and it took all of 10 minutes to slide it under the car, jack it up, a little wiggle and the front bolts slid in with no hammering and then jack it up some more and slip in the rear bolts - done! I got this one at Harbor Frieght - many years ago. I have seen them sell for as low as 89.00. It's the only way to swap a motor
katatak DEC 03, 09:30 PM
Today's update!

This afternoon I managed to remove the heater lines and get the trunk cut out. Then I installed the motor one more time to check clearance. Looks like I will have good clearance on the firewall side - I'll have to fab up a heat shield but that will be easy. On the trucnk side, it's a little too close for my liking. I think I will notch a section of the trunk wall and then build a "box" to create a recessed area to allow more air space between the header and the trunk wall. The only thing in the trunk will be the battery and some "road" tools but I would like to have it carpeted and think a little more clearance will do the trick. Now I need to decoide if I want to have the headers ceramic coated or is I will VHT them and the wrap with header wrap? Now I have to remove the motor one more time to finish up all the little odds and ends. While it's out of the way, I will finsih the engine compartment and do the mods to the trunk wall Lots of work still to do but I should be able to get most of it done this weekend.

I started by removing the inner fenderwells and then removed the taillights and rear bumper. When I pulled the first tail light, I found a "resident" from New Mexico! Or at least his house:



Then I removed the inner crush and steel bumper:



Then I removed the metal pan that the tail lights rest on and removed the tail light wiring harness:


Then I cut out the trunk: Carver1 would be proud of me - I "chopped" my first Fiero......





Now hear is the really cool part. With the trunk cut out, you do not need the back of the car raised into the stratosphere to slide the motor under the car. The SBC rolls under with plenty of clearance!


It's hard to make out in this pick - this is the firewall side with the cradle bolted in place. I will have to "tie" the crossover tube and wiring harness back against the firewall. I will also wrap both in heat resistant wrap. Then I will fab a heat shield that will bolt to some of the existing "stands" already on the firewall.


As for the trunk side, I think I will build a "reccess" in the trunk wall so that there will be more air space between the header and the trunk wall. This will take a little work. It will also mean a brake line relocation.



I also discovered that the timing tab on the timing cover will have to be "trimmed" a little as it touch's the passenger side frame rail. I am going to trim it about 1/2" and transfer the timing marks inward so that I will have a "normal" timing setup versus making marks on the flywheel and timing the car from underneath.

Looking good!



More later!

Pat

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 12-03-2010).]

katatak DEC 04, 09:05 PM
Update!

Worked on closing the trunk bottom in today - had great ambition till about 10:30. Jeff came by around 1:00 and lit a little fire under by butt. We managed to get the new trunk bottom/pan in and tacked in place. Also added a "crossmember" under the new pan - have one more to add. These will serve 2 functions - a solid place to mount the battery tray and a spacer for the heat shield as the muffler(s) will be under the trunk bottom.

The new trunk pan:



In place with a few tacks:



Look at all the junk in my trunk!


More later!

Pat
Carver1 DEC 05, 12:15 AM
Looks good! I'll chop the tops, and you can chop the bottoms?

I got the 86 in the garage for some tinkering tonight. Still brainstorming......I need a motor.
katatak DEC 05, 10:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by Carver1:

Looks good! I'll chop the tops, and you can chop the bottoms?

I got the 86 in the garage for some tinkering tonight. Still brainstorming......I need a motor.



It's the "Brainstorming" part that has me worried - chopped, channeled, shaved??????? Wide body? You really need to do the 3800SC!
katatak DEC 05, 10:39 PM
Update!

Was out in the garage around 7:30am. Goal today was to get the trunk welded out and finish the passenger side frame reinforcement. I did not get either finished as I ran out of MIG wire and shield Gas at the same time? So I spent some time cleaning the engine compartment and the garage!

Just have to fill in the corners and apply some seam sealer then coat the inside and outside of the trunk:


Cleaned engine bay - just needs a new coat of paint:


I can't wait till I get this stuffed in for the last time!


More later!

Pat
katatak DEC 06, 08:43 PM
Worked on the corner patches this afternoon. Only spent about an hour and a half but got it done.






And a cool looking Far West Texas sunset!



More later!

Pat
josef644 DEC 06, 10:11 PM
Ya shoulda made me a pattern for that trunk bottom Pat.
Joe
katatak DEC 07, 02:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by josef644:

Ya shoulda made me a pattern for that trunk bottom Pat.
Joe



I still can Joe! If you want one let me know - I'll fab it up out of some construction paper or card stock. I have patterns for the corner pieces already.

Pat
josef644 DEC 07, 02:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by katatak:


I still can Joe! If you want one let me know - I'll fab it up out of some construction paper or card stock. I have patterns for the corner pieces already.

Pat



That'ed be great Pat. I will be happy to pay for the trouble. I have been sorta wondering the best way to cover that danged hole up.
Joe