Okay, I have removed the 4cyl with the manual tranny a couple of times now. Pretty easy (remember - everything is relative ) to do.
But now, I have a 4cyl with the Auto trannsmission out of a 1984 coupe?
I have the whole cradle sitting on my shop floor (okay, it's actually on a pallet).
It has a little bit of surface rust on it and I was hoping to Pull the engine off of the cradle to clean it up a little and maybe throw a little paint on it.
Any tips on how to remove the engine? Do I need to remove the Torque Converter?
I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with an Automatic Fiero until just now.
All help is greatly appreciated!

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1984 SE - 30800 out of 136840. Being modified!
Federation Upgrades are now in Progress.

Why not just lift the engine and transmission off the cradle as a unit and don't split the two apart. You will then be able to clean everything as a whole unit, that will give a better looking job and easier as well.

My thoughts . . . . .

I thought of that as well, But then I will need to remove the axles from the tranny.
Does anybody know if the Axle removal procedure is the same for an Automatic as a Manual?
What will I need to "reinstall" the Axles?

quote Originally posted by KlingonFiero: I thought of that as well, But then I will need to remove the axles from the tranny. Does anybody know if the Axle removal procedure is the same for an Automatic as a Manual? What will I need to "reinstall" the Axles?

Pulling the axles is the same on both. To separate the auto, remove the torque converter to flexplate nuts. Reach in there with a screwdriver and push the TC into the transmission (to clear the flexplate). Then the engine will lift away after unbolting the bellhousing.

Here is a "Until Tomorrow" Bump.
Thanks All!

Does anybody see a problem with removing the engine and transmission as a whole unit, cleaning it, and the painting as a single peice?

Is there anything specific I can do about the small amount of surface rust on the block?

If I do the above, What do I need to reinstall the axles?

Thanks

Go nuts!

Auto is even easier than stick to r&r.

Just be careful of:
-Coolant line placement
-TqC installation
-Filler tube
-Kickdown cable
-shift selector wiring.

You CAN paint the works, just be careful not to get any paint near the openings. Don't want to contaminate that oil.

Just pull it apart. It's like 4 bolts, and the TqC is EASY to reinstall. Line it up, put it on, and wiggle it around until you feel it sink in about 3/8'

quote Originally posted by KlingonFiero: Does anybody see a problem with removing the engine and transmission as a whole unit, cleaning it, and the painting as a single peice? Is there anything specific I can do about the small amount of surface rust on the block? If I do the above, What do I need to reinstall the axles? Thanks

You have my thoughts on the engine tranny combo.

As for the surface rust on the block, use a wire brush to clean it off with. Grease and oil? Use a good degreaser and a pressure washer to power the gunk off with.

You pry the axles out with a screw driver and guide them into the tranny and align the splines and push them back into place. Sometimes they take a little 'extra' push with a screwdriver in the groove and a hammer to seat them with.

Yup. What they said. Altho to seperate them, I've always used an 1.5" wrench. The wide opening works perfect as a pickle fork. Just slip it between tranny and axle, push to the side, POP! Out she comes.

I would remove the passenger side Strut assembly from the cradle (if you dropped it that way, then just hook up a picker to the engine, remove all the engine/tranny bolts, and motor monuts, then yank the motor. with the motor OFF the cradle, you can spend more time cleaning it up, replacing that oil pan gasket that I *know* leaks lol as well as fix any broken or overheated wires, tuck it all together nice, clean it, and paint. It will also give you some more room to clean the years of gunk off the cradle, and clean up the tranny as well. You could also drain the Torque Converter, and replace all that fluid too..

Well, since the cradle is out, you can also get rid of all the insulation in the engine compartment, then clean that up.. paint it. But NOW you have the problem of a clean engine compartment. So now you need to paint the car to match. And then A new interior... Do you really know what you've gotten yourself into!?!?

Have fun!! Oh BTW: Indiana Resto Guy has it right with the axles, altho I've also put the end in the tranny, then holding it straight, hit the other end with a 5lb sledge. It gives it enough wiggle to set it back.

-Karl

I am doing the same thing, moving an 87 engine and trans to an 88 cradle. I plan on taking the wheels of and lifting the engine and trans with the axles still attached to the transmission.

quote Originally posted by FieroJones: Well, since the cradle is out, you can also get rid of all the insulation in the engine compartment, then clean that up.. paint it. But NOW you have the problem of a clean engine compartment. So now you need to paint the car to match. And then A new interior... Do you really know what you've gotten yourself into!?!? -Karl

Unfourtunately, I do know what I have gotten myself into. Now, If I can just figure out how to explain to my wife why I NEED to do all this stuff .

If I decide to pull the axles - Do I need new seals before I reinstall them?

Thanks for everybody who responed on this!
Mucho appreciation!

Depends on what they look like. I seem to bat about 50% Half the time they are dry and/or cracked, other times they still look like new. Some say to replace them no matter what, I personally, only replace what's needed in a case like this.

As to the wife, just buy her a Fiero too! Worked in my case, well sorta.. it seems lately that HER car gets all the money spent on it!!

-Karl