Did a little clean up on the tranny and started the last steps with the engine tonight...
Heat shields in place...
The cleanest parts you'll never see... Lets just say I didnt care to see the old ones come off the car soooo rusted! Just a little rust protection going on here.
Quick shot of the engine...
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11:54 PM
Jun 29th, 2006
jeffndebrus Member
Posts: 2772 From: Jacksonville, Fl- usa Registered: Aug 2001
HE used an Appliance Enamel. The same kind used on Washers/Ovens/Dryers. The stuff is tough, toughest paint I have ever run into. The Closest thing to Powder Coating in a rattle can. Since I lost my shop, Im going to use it on my front suspension when I get around to it.
Does it melt carburetors though?
PowerMajic: Looking great man.
------------------ Proud Member of the North Florida Fiero club 4T60E Parks harness/ Rockcrawl chip-- more to come--
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01:26 AM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
I ended up using a new stock one. We scratched up the one that was in the car when we pulled it out...it was pretty deep and we would have had leaks.
The 3500 stall one is still in the garage, maybe I can figure out something to do with it. I just couldnt see me sitting at a red light idling at 3500rpm waiting for the light to turn green and trying to convince the cop that I WASNT trying to race him! LOL
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07:35 AM
2002z28ssconv Member
Posts: 1436 From: Orlando, FL Registered: Jun 2005
It doesn't make it idle that high. It just wouldn't fully engage until 3500. But yeah, it's probably better for race use anyway. Maybe a bit too high for daily commutes.
Turns out the people who built my engine used a different crank and now the flywheel wont bolt up...UGH! It is exactly 1mm larger than the hole on the flywheel. I now have to wait till Monday to contact the shop and find out what size crank was used so I can find a flywheel to fit....
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08:13 AM
Jul 3rd, 2006
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
Turned out...after vERY, VERY, close examination...there was what for lack of a better name I will call a "burr" on the crank. It almost looked like they tried to hammer on the end if it and made just the tiniest of chips which stuck up just enough to not let the flexplate fit. After a little walking of the plate It finally went on. Thats it! I'm done for today! I'll take this as a sign of better things to come with this build.
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04:05 PM
Jul 17th, 2006
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
That's good news! I was just about to ask how the project is coming along, too.
And a little off-topic: During the meantime, I've installed mine. I've been working the bugs out over the last few days... with more bugs to chase down. But at least it runs.
Best of luck!
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01:11 AM
PFF
System Bot
CentralFloridaFieros Member
Posts: 363 From: Orlando, Florida, USA Registered: Mar 2004
Turned out...after vERY, VERY, close examination...there was what for lack of a better name I will call a "burr" on the crank. It almost looked like they tried to hammer on the end if it and made just the tiniest of chips which stuck up just enough to not let the flexplate fit. After a little walking of the plate It finally went on. Thats it! I'm done for today! I'll take this as a sign of better things to come with this build.
That is great news. This pic reminds me that we should fit the starter now to see if we need to use the shim or not.
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07:43 AM
Jul 22nd, 2006
CentralFloridaFieros Member
Posts: 363 From: Orlando, Florida, USA Registered: Mar 2004
Yes, tranny and engine are mated and sitting on the cradle...HOWEVER, my very expensive West Coast Fiero Tranny mounts DO NOT FIT! Ugh....Seeing as how time is not on my side with this project I am simply going to buy stock mounts...not a very happy camper right now. You can see the issue we ran into in the pictures below. We must have spent 2 hours trying every which way to make those darn things fit...just wasnt going to happen. Off to the parts store tomorrow to at least get new rubber mounts.
What is up with this! Spent a lot of money for something that doesnt fit...
Hopefully tomorrow will produce better results...
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[This message has been edited by powrmajik (edited 07-22-2006).]
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10:39 PM
ltlfrari Member
Posts: 5356 From: Wake Forest,NC,USA Registered: Jan 2002
I recall that when I did my swap (3.4 dohc) I used WCF tranny mounts and that I had to 'pull them into place' with the mounting bolts as they were off a little bit not by that much. It's a shame they don't fit as they really are rock solid and hold the engine very solidly in place. My 3.4 hardly moves at all on the cradle.
I've sent an email with the above picture attached to West Coast Fiero...I'll wait and see what they have to say. I bought the solid aluminum cradle bushings as well, hope I dont run into an problems with those (dont think I will, but didnt think I'd run into trouble with the engine and tranny mounts either).
That's a beauty! i don't know why people keep buying from WCF when I have read so many threads of parts that don't fit Return those mounts and get Rodney's
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10:18 AM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
Made a little progress tonight, no new pictures, but started bolting up little things to the engine...sensors, coolant hoses/lines, vaccuum lines, brackets...etc. I am waiting on some more header wrap to finish up the Y-Pipe...it should be here by the end of the week.
Well its been over 2 days and STILL no word from WCF! Starting to get a bit irritated over the whole deal now...Hopefully will have more pictures of the engine tonight.
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03:35 PM
Jul 27th, 2006
CentralFloridaFieros Member
Posts: 363 From: Orlando, Florida, USA Registered: Mar 2004
My mounts were exactly the same. I had to keep everything as loose as possible, pry them into place and then tighten the bolts up. That was on a Getrag in the '88 BTW.
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08:30 PM
Jul 28th, 2006
CentralFloridaFieros Member
Posts: 363 From: Orlando, Florida, USA Registered: Mar 2004
My mounts were exactly the same. I had to keep everything as loose as possible, pry them into place and then tighten the bolts up. That was on a Getrag in the '88 BTW.
This is a 87 Auto. We tried that. there was no way possible to get them to line up. if you place them next to the stock Auto mounts, you see a 1/2" difference in the mounts.
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10:16 AM
Soelasca Member
Posts: 455 From: Edmonton Alberta Canada Registered: Sep 2004
I got my mounts from WCF too. I'm using them on an 87 with a getrag and a SBC. I didn't notice how poorly everything lined up until after I had everything in the car. I'll have to drop the drivetrain again and straighten everything out. With my car it's the OTHER mount that is the problem (not the one you're showing in the picture).
Great work you're doing. I'm envious of your attention to detail.
Well its been over a week and I'm very disappointed in WCF
No word from them, sent numerous emails...will be calling them today. Progress has been made, the engine is a beauty! Ran into a couple small snags though...was replacing the Harmonic Balancer and come to find out the bolt holes on the HB that mount the pulley onto the HB are a different size than the stock bolts I have....time to go find a few more bolts. I also ran into trouble with the new Rear Control arm bushings. Turned out the metal sleeves in the middle would not accept the stock bolts...once again I need to find more bolts to fit. Once I replace these with some new Grade 8's i should be fine. If its not one thing its another....
Powr **edit because I'm an idiot **
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[This message has been edited by powrmajik (edited 07-31-2006).]
That engine is gorgeous ! I would have loved to have helped out and learned a few things along the way, but my personal life is pretty much in chaos right now so my time is very limited.
I may turn your way for some build advice in the future though if you don't mind ?
No, problem Tony, ask whatever you need. Hopefully I can get it in the car this weekend. It is so close I am trying not to get rushed and forget things just to get it in the car.
I will NEVER buy anything from West Coast Fiero again....they are basically ignoring any and all of my requests regarding the poly mounts.
Someone from the forum suggested just prying them into place, welding or drilling new holes...I dont have the desire to do that so I will be putting them up for sale. If anyone is interested PM me else they will go on ebay.
The car is coming along great, the motor never looked better. When your done I have another one you can get started on, I just want it back when your done
Its been a little while since I posted but not much was missed anyway...lots f checking and rechecking to make sure I did everything before getting the cradle back into the car. All thats left right now is to prime the engine, drop in the distributor connect the spark plug wires, fill her with fluids and fire her up!
This is how I held the car up while I slid the engine in...very easy and stable.
Plenty of room...
And the engine is in...
Powr
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06:29 AM
wicky Member
Posts: 34 From: Kelseyville, Ca, USA Registered: Aug 2006
That has to be one of the cleanest engies I have ever seen in a fiero, well at least somewhat stock! lol Looking great, keep it up, and don't let the bushing problems slow you down, some companies do that, I know all too well!
Bushings were in and if I would have waited a little longer I could have used the WCF Poly Mounts. Some of the members here suggested simply drilling new holes to mount or weld the one mount I was having problems with in place. I put them all up for sale on eBay right now so if someone wants one hell of a deal I started the auction at only $59.99.
Getting ready to start the interior...just as soon as I turn over the engine and hear it run....fingers crossed I dont have any problems!
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10:19 PM
Richjk21 Member
Posts: 2228 From: Central Square NY, USA Registered: Feb 2006
Keeping my fingers crossed for you as well. I remember how anxious I was when it was time to fire my new motor for the first time ..... and the thrill when it fired on the first turn of the key!!!
Got a chance to try and start it today...it was a no go on the first try. Adjusted the distributor and she fired right up! Purrs like a kitten, no leaks to boot!
I'm stopping here for tonight...finally I can end a day on a high note...no sense ruining it! Woo Hoo!!!