Working on my coupe and I just bought another '88 for parts. The new car has a better engine than mine so I was thinking of swapping engines. The problem is that the parts car trans needs a clutch and my car has a new clutch. Can I just pull out the engine and drop this one in without fooling with the trans and cradle? Both cars are 4cyl/5 speed. If so let me know how.
Thanks

It is possible with the 4cyl if you have a engine hoist, I have no idea if the job will be easier or harder.

If you had a 6cyl then it would have to be droped from the bottom.

Yes, it can be done, but will take about double the time of dropping both cradles and switching them on the ground. If your car is a straight shift, it's gonna be hell getting the clutch lined up again your way. Good luck

Phil

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87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd

GM auto tech for 27 years. Specializing in electrical and computer problems. I enjoy helping all that need and appreciate help.

I don't personally know what difference it will make if it's an automatic or a manual transmission as EVERY motor I've ever removed at this point has been an automatic.

I CAN tell you that it IS fairly easy to remove the 4 cyl from the top. All you have to do, is disconnect all the wires, disconnect the intake and exhaust manifold, disconnect the A/C compressor and hang it off to the side, and then disconnect the waterpump hoses too. You will need to remove the starter (hang it off to the side) and unscrew the bolts off the flywheel from within the starter hole location. You will have to rotate the motor (not with the starter) until you've removed all the bolts from the flywheel. Then, hook up the engine hoise, and unscrew the bolts from the motor mount first, and then undo the bolts from the transmission to engine casing, and you should be able to pull it out.

You'll need to remove the decklid temporarily.

I HAVE actually been able to remove a complete V6 through the top... with Cyl heads still attached.
Unless I'm going to be fiddling with the transmission, I find it MUCH easier to pull the motor from the top and not worry about the cradle.

In a perfect world, if you had all the space, and a large (free) garage that you could easily move your Fiero around in, the cradle dropping might be easier.

But, I have an 81 TransAm, sitting right next to a 73 VW Transporter in my garage. When I remove the motor from the Fiero, I do it in the driveway.

Thanks,

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Todd,
1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2L)
1984 Pontiac Fiero 2m4 SE
1981 Pontiac TransAm (sbc 350)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

I would say since you have a four cylinder, it is definately easier to take out the top. You wont have to deal with rusty old cradle and suspension bolts that way either. I swapped one out the top last summer in a weekend.

quote Originally posted by 86fieroEarl: It is possible with the 4cyl if you have a engine hoist, I have no idea if the job will be easier or harder. If you had a 6cyl then it would have to be droped from the bottom.

I removed my 2.8 from the top by myself. 4 speed, no a/c and I took the alternator off in the car. After that it wasn't particularly hard.