[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 05-25-2016).]

quote Originally posted by Alex4mula: Cool. I get it. Are you going to use stock coils?

For now the stock coils are gonna be used. As I get the engine running, I may upgrade the coils.

Tonight, the engine met the cradle! They absolutely did not like each other at first. In all honestly, and full disclosure, there was a lot of fighting. After a little mediation, I was able to get them to see eye to eye, it just was not easy!

For anyone doing this, the transmission mount is a "B"ad word! The only way we could possibly get it to go was to attach the cradle side of the mount first, then mount the second piece of the mount to it, and tighten. I had to drill a second hole in the cradle for the mount. Next....move around, contort and twist the cradle to get one of the 3 transmission side holes to line up, and squeezes a couple fingers in there to get the first of 3 (4 on some transmissions) bolts to start. Then, twist and repeat for the other 2 bolts. There is NOT a lot of room to work there!

Now I am waiting on more parts.........

The left caliper seemed to be leaking, and the right was wearing the brake pads unevenly. Thus, 2 new rear calipers are on the way. Also, the ball joints in the back, one of the rubber seals was shot, and the other was pretty bad, thus new ball joints. While I am at it, new tie rods and tie rod ends. And just for completeness, new struts to complete the rear suspension.

Monday being a holiday, Amazon free 2 day shipping will not be here until Tuesday of next week

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 08-28-2016).]

Wow.... another 16~17 hour day! Started at 6:30 am going to work, then home at 4 Pm, and working on the car till an hour ago.....

I was hoping to have the engine in the car this weekend, but it does not look like that is going to happen...... as the engine was put in the car this evening! ! ! Finally!

Here is the moment of anticipation:


And finally, the engine in the car:


I am waiting on lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and new left and right calipers. Soon as that is all here, I can get the suspension all together, and put the car back down on the ground.

I installed the new struts already, and painted everything up nice and pretty.


I would liked to have done the springs in blue, but I liked the idea of getting the car done and back together even more

I am going to go jump in the shower, go to bed and sleep till probably at least 10am tomorrow!

[EDIT] That estimate was just about right, I just got up 15 minutes ago, and it is now 10:30am.

One problem we ran into was the A/C lines. I ordered a set from Chuck, in Central Florida. When they came yesterday, they did not fit for some reason. Talking to Chuck on the phone, and sending pictures back and forth, it was clear that the compressor on the 04 Grand Prix is quite different. When the compressor is mounted, the 2 holes in the rear are vertical to each other. ALL other compressors for Series II and III that he has seen are horizontal. Also, the holes are 1.5" from center to center, as where ALL the other 3800 A/C compressors are an inch and 5/8 ths.
Chuck's remedy was to head to the junk yard, and call me first thing this morning. He confirmed on an 04 Grtand Prix, that the compressor is indeed quite different, and now he understands what the problem is. He is removing the lines, and making me up a new set of A/C lines.

While I type this, he just sent me a photo from the junk yard for comparison:


That looks like it will do the trick! Today, run all the wires to where they go, and maybe get the gas tank dropped and the new fuel pump installed........

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 05-28-2016).]

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"May the grins begin when you turn the key and hear the engine roar over your shoulder" ......Gall57 (slightly modified LOL)

Pete Matos
A&N Precision Machine
CNC Machining and prototyping
Port St.Lucie, Florida
A&N Precision Machine on Facebook!

Pete, thanks for the offer! I still to have to figure a time for you to swing by sometime!


Ok, the swap took a turn for the good for once today. Let me say that again, so I can let it sink in, something went good, and turned out right today.... I type it, but still have trouble beleiving it

Laying in bed last night, and trying to figure out why when turning the key to the start position, nothing was happening.... everything else seemed Ok with the wiring...... Then BAM! It hit me! That EUREKA moment.... Neutral safety switch?..... could it be that easy? Soon as I got up this morning, I ran out and moved the shift selector on the transmission all the way to the end. I reached in and went to crank it.... nothing I went and moved the selector on the transmission all the way to the other end, and tried the key again, CLICK! I could hear the solenoid click! WooHoo! Stupid overlooked mistake by the mechanic and myself yesterday in all the turmoil of trying to get things hooked up and checked.

The starter still would not turn over the engine.... so still had to figure that out. We ran a ground cable directly from the battery to the starter, and sure enough, the car cranked over when I turned the key. HOW I have no clue.... there is a ground going directly from the battery to the engine block. a SOLID big bolt, and NO paint interfering. Another ground going from the battery directly to the chassis, again nice clean contact, stripped of all paint. This somehow was not enough, so we ran another ground cable from the battery, to the engine cradle. Got everything all bolted up and tucked away, and the engine now cranks over as it should when the key is turned!

As of not the tank is out, and pretty rusted on the inside. I am going to wasy it out with CLR, and an acid bath tomorrow, and let it dry till Wednesday, when my 2 cans of POR-15 in tank sealant arrive. I will pour it in, swirl the tank around every which way to coat everything and let it dry.

I have a new fuel pump for a Chevy Silvarado 5.8l (Part# EP381)as recommended for the 3800 install, and new Fiero Store Sending unit for in the tank, that will HOPEFULLY finally fix my gas gauge not working!

Anyhow, no gas tank in the car, the next best thing was to spray some gas in the intake. As the mechanic did this, I cranked the key, and sure enough it started! He was able to squirt in fuel enough to keep it running for about 10 seconds.
Noo too exciting, but some smoke from oil and stuff burning off the manifold:


This actually says a LOT! The computer is working, Spark plug wires are routed correctly, the coils are good. Oh.... and it was LOUD! Straight off the manifold, no pipe or muffler connected loud

All in all, a good day! ! ! !

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 06-06-2016).]