Well CRAP!!! I guess it is back to the drawing board. I removed the alternator bolt that was sticking into the dogbone brace to the strut tower and that allowed the engine to settle into it's normal resting position and the alt. pulley hits the brace now. So I removed the alternator to make sure the decklid would close and the air cond compressor and bracket are in the way of the hinge. I guess I will be modifying the brackets and belts to make everything fit instead of modifying the decklid. It looks like I will have to find a smaller diameter alternator, probably the one off of the 4 cyl and a smaller diameter air cond compressor too, maybe the one off of the 4 cyl too.
I will have to make all new brackets for everything.
Well I've gotten the accessory brackets and dogbone modifications almost done. I've got the air cond compressor from the 4 cyl mounted and the original alternator mounted, the alternator bracket modified to connect to the dogbone. Just a little more welding to make sure the brackets are solid and well braced and get a belt to fit(crossing my fingers), connect the coolant line, etc. and it should be ready to fire up inside the car!!
Didn't get much done this weekend because I had other things to do.
Later Guys.
[This message has been edited by Michelhaugh (edited 10-01-2003).]
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09:05 AM
Scott-Wa Member
Posts: 5392 From: Tacoma, WA, USA Registered: Mar 2002
How are you handling the fuel system swap? Venting and fuel pressures are quite different between the gas and diesel applications. You do NOT want to have any gasoline in the tank left over if your planning on using the original tank. Are you swapping that stuff from the donor car?
I saved the sending unit/pickup assembly from the diesel car. I removed the fuel pump from the fiero assembly and added the 'water in fuel' detector and fuel pickup tube and screen from the diesel assembly. Now I have to disconnect the wire that powered the fuel pump from the power source and connect it to my 'Water in fuel' light that I installed in my instrument panel.
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01:13 PM
m0sh_man Member
Posts: 8460 From: south charleston WV 25309 Registered: Feb 2002
Hooray!!! It runs!! (as if there were any doubt) I started driving it this weekend. I still have a couple things to do but I can drive it.!!!!
When I first started it it smoked like crazy then the smoke slowly quit and it is fine now. I was afraid I had lost a head gasket and was sucking antifreeze. Luckily not. I would have really been upset.
I won't know what kind of fuel mileage that I'm getting for a couple of weeks or a month depending on how long a tank lasts! It sound good, starts easily. I'm really pleased.
I've got regular 12v glow plugs in it so it takes about 7 secs for them to warm up before I hit the key to start it.
It is just as spunky as the original 4 cylinder gas engine, maybe even a little peppier!
Hey CoolBlueGT, I will be ready for a long road trip in a couple of months, maybe my wife and I will drive it down to FL and see you.
I'd better go now. Later guys.
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01:05 PM
DustoneGT Member
Posts: 1274 From: The U.S. Superstate Registered: Dec 2002
I was working on my Diesel Fiero last night. As I said before the diesel was a little peepier than the old 4 cyl. I had expected it to be more than it was. Last night I found that I had neclected to connect the TV cable from the transmission to the throttle arm, duh.
It is much PEPPIER now since it actually kicks down when I push the pedal. It marched right up the hills around here just fine but now I can accelerate up them! What a difference!
I got my throttle cable modified to fit and it works great. I still have to get the Torque converter clutch controls worked out. The manual shows the schematic but none of the terminals are numbered on the drawing nor on the unit. The 3 of the 5 wires have different colors than the manual shows. I carefully took apart the controller last night and was able to figure out which wire was which. So now I can get it wired up properly. I didn't want to mix up the wires and blow the circuitry in the module!
I hope to get my roll of film finished this weekend and developed with a CD of digital pictures, so I'll have some pictures to post soon. Thanks for being patient with my lack of pictures, guys.
Later Guys.
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08:41 AM
Nov 7th, 2003
Dewie Member
Posts: 171 From: Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Jul 2003
EXCELLENT - I am glad to hear the engine is finally up and running. I will be curious to see what kind of fuel mileage you get - might be an idea to rig up for a long haul sometime down to the US - not looking at racing - so Fuel Mileage is always a plus
I got the Torque convertor clutch wiring done this weekend. I took it for a spin and it DIDN'T WORK!. I must be missing something about the control module. It seems pretty simple +12v coming from a brake pedal switch to a relay that goes to the TCC solenoid that goes to a switch inside the trans that closes above 40 mph. The module has 3 more wires one to the trans to an internal switch that closes to ground in 3rd gear, one to a wide open throttle switch to ground which opens on WOT and one to the AC circuit that closes to ground when the AC pressure is high. I left the AC wire disconnected since it looks like grounding it unlocks the TCC and I don't have the AC wired up yet. Hmmm. maybe I need to hold the AC wire to +12v.
I jumpered the relay wires and it locked up at 40+ mph so the Lockup itself does work. The module might be sick?! I guess I'll do some more figuring when I get home tonight.
BTW guys, YES the diesel is noisier by quite a bit when you are looking under the hood with it running but from inside the car it isn't too bad at all. I had to get rid of the engine compartment insulation which was in bad shape and it still isn't too bad. Of course I like the sound of a diesel too.
I checked the schematics again last night and the wire that goes to the AC circuit actually goes to the high speed radiator fan circuit. There are 2 switches that can turn on the high speed radiator fan the High pressure AC switch and the High coolant temp switch This wire that I'm trying to figure out is at +12 until the AC pressure switch or the high coolant temp switch closes to ground. I will connect it up tonight to the High coolant temp switch circuit and that should make it work as GM designed it!
While I was taking apart the console to work on the accel cable and wiring, I discovered the big plastic 'inner' console plastic part is crumbling. Almost all of the screw holes are busted from the AC controls to the radio to the ones in the back by the computer. Boo...
I think I will install a shift kit in this transmission. (a 'one of these days' project)I put one in my wife's Fiero a couple of years ago and it shifts much better. I didn't do anything to this trans before I installed the engine/trans.
Later guys
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08:22 AM
topcat Member
Posts: 5486 From: Charleston SC Registered: Dec 2001
While I was taking apart the console to work on the accel cable and wiring, I discovered the big plastic 'inner' console plastic part is crumbling. Almost all of the screw holes are busted from the AC controls to the radio to the ones in the back by the computer. Boo...
Later guys
I am really sitting on the edge of my chair waiting to see pics. You get a + for thinking outside of the box and for being creative In regards to the skeleton crumbling, it is not uncommon. I found plastic weld to work great to repair the holes. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/043281.html
I just repaired mine this past weekend.
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01:27 PM
Nov 15th, 2003
jim123185 Member
Posts: 241 From: Wichita, Kansas Registered: Oct 2003
I thought I had the TCC module figured out. I connected the AC/Coolant fan wire to +12 and it didn't change a thing, the TCC still doesn't kick in. I guess I will pull the cover off and draw a schematic from the circuit board(fun, fun) and try to figure out what it is really supposed to be doing.
I'll post the schematic when I get it drawn out and see if anyone can help figure out what it is really supposed to do. The shop manual describes what the other wires (and switches)do but not what this wire does!!
Congratulations on you swap...... Fun to do something different isn't it . Look down at the bottom of the page pennocks image poster. You are going to have to open up the filler neck, or you won't be able to fill it up. 7 sec for the glow plugs is good. Up hear in IL. It takes me 30 and that is with the block heater plugged in Lol try about 60 without. My diesel is a love hate relationship. Love the low maintnence, and high mileage. Hate the smell, noise, and finding a station with diesel. On the plus to when gas prices go through the roof in the summer the diesel prices don't move much. Good luck with your car. Oh you are just breaking yours in too try 243,000 in my datson
There are a few different Methods. I believe there is some type of program out there that allows you to post them to this server, or you can upload them to a webpage server. There are also a few people (like myself) that will post the pictures on our own webservers for you - all you have to do is e-mail the pictures and we'll send you the links to the pictures.
I weighed my Fiero on a truck scale before and after. The truck scale goes up in 20 pound increments but that should be close enough. No passengers, and unsure of how much fuel was in at the times. Before Front Rear Total 1140 1500 2640
After 1120 1660 2780
So it now weighs about 140 more. Not too bad, the guys that are putting V8s into Fieros have about the same weight gain don't they.
He wasn't able to post all of the pictures and I can't get pennock picture poster to work, it says my pictures are too wide or something like that. Help appreciated if you want more pics.
Rick M.
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09:29 AM
BtotheB Member
Posts: 2581 From: Peterborough, Ontario Registered: Dec 2001
That is really freaky!! Somebody else did this too.??? I was planning on painting mine yellow and black in the spring.!! I was going to name mine the 'Rumble Bee' with a little Bee logo somewhere.
