So the short version of a long story, I had spoke to a guy about a year ago he had an 88 Fiero that he was looking to either fix or sell. Well today he called me up with a deal I could not refuse.
Its an 88 4cyl 5spd with only 111,000 kms on it. It unfortunately spent the last 2 years of its life outside, however the previous years it was always garage kept and his aunt, who originally bought the car in 88 took amazing care of it. The Price FREE, just had to pay $50 to have it towed to my place.
It has low compression on one cylinder, the reason has yet to be determined. I am debating on fixing the 4cyl or simply installing one of my spare V6 motors. (I've got 2 spare V6's that are both good runners just collecting dust.)
Edit Dirty Pics #1 and #2 replaced with clean pics.
111,000kms is about 68,000 miles.
I can't belive how perfect the seats are, the drivers bolster does not even have a scuff in it let alone the standard tear.
Its as bare bones as you can get, manual everything, which on the bright side means the car should be fairly light.
Passanger seat is equally nice.
Even the carpets are in good condition.
Dash corners are not cracked
Front compartment is like new.
88 Strut tower top,
The engine bay. Dirty but it runs and drives.
The price for the car, it cost me $50 for the tow bill to get it home, the car itself was free. I have video of the engine running which I will post later.
------------------ 85GT Soon to be 87GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 05-23-2010).]
I am the Pres and Founder of www.westcoastfieros.com my phone number is and has been plastered all over the home page for years. Which means my phone rings off the hook with people asking for advice, help with there car, information about the club and or wanting to buy or sell a Fiero. The trade-off for all these constant calls is that every once in a while, I get a call from someone that has a Fiero and wants it to go to a good home rather than sending it to the crusher. I got my Yellow 88GT for $900 USD with only 90,000 miles on it, and my 87GT with custom body kit for $250 USD and my wife got a V8 5spd Getrag, car with coil overs and corvette brakes, for about $1000 USD.
If you are willing to give up your personal life to be on call for the Fiero world nearly 24hrs a day 7 days a week. You are bound to come across some really good deals every now and again for your effort.
------------------ 85GT Soon to be 87GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
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09:50 AM
Capt Fiero Member
Posts: 7657 From: British Columbia, Canada Registered: Feb 2000
would make a great first car for your daughter dave...nice score...tim
Actually my plans are to give her the 88GT if we are still diving gas engines in 16 years
quote
Originally posted by fourpoint9:
Nice Capt. I just got a free 88 GT with some front end damage and a 5speed with a cracked case.
So whats the plans for the 88GT, replace the tranny and fix the body damage, or part it out, and put the 88 cradle and brakes in your orange car, then sell the bearings on ebay, and sell the front cross member on ebay.
[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 05-24-2010).]
Ok so, let’s take stock on the motor and see what we can come up with.
1st off engine notes, Engine has great oil pressure, does not burn blue, has Zero blow bye with the PCV and oil filler cap removed. It only has 68,000 miles on it
Problems Low compression on one cylinder
Causes Cylinder wash, caused by bag ignition allowing raw fuel to wash away the allow and now allowing the rings to seal properly
Bad lifter no allowing the valve to fully open or close Bad Pushrod same as above Miss Adjusted Valves save as above Bad Valve burnt or bent so it won't to allow proper compression to build bad rings (at 111,000kms I am leaning away from this) I
If it is Lifter or pushrod, aren’t you able to get to those via an access panel on the truck side of the block fairly easily. If it’s a bad lifter, can’t those also be pulled from the same access panel to see the pushrods? What is the proper valve last setting for the 4cyl? Well I’ll do a compression test find the bad hole; put some oil down there to confirm that it is not bad rings. If the oil makes no change, I’ll start on head related problems like valves and valve train. If it’s, cylinder wash things to check are Bad or broken plug bad or broken plug wire, bad or broken coil pack.
I think I have covered all the possibilities and how to check/fix them. If you have any advice please let me know.
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09:48 AM
thismanyfieros Member
Posts: 3468 From: Red Deer, alberta,canada Registered: Dec 2002
i had low compression in my jeep on one cylinder this spring...mt wife was working at toyota and they told me time for new engine...only 4800...turned out to be bad plug wire ..only 28 for new set of wires...check it all thoroughly...lol...tim
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12:00 PM
Larryh86GT Member
Posts: 1757 From: Near sunny Buffalo NY Registered: Jan 2008
I have yet to start working on it, but I am eager to start playing with it, I just have to finish painting my V8 Fiero and then I can start on the 4 banger.
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09:49 PM
Jun 3rd, 2010
Capt Fiero Member
Posts: 7657 From: British Columbia, Canada Registered: Feb 2000
Update, while looking for a replacement head, I have located an entire low mileage 88 2.5 engine complete pull from a swap. I am going to pickup the motor tonight and hopefully will start fixing up the 88 Couple in a week or 2.
------------------ 85GT Soon to be 87GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 06-03-2010).]
Not as far as I have found, it is a one family car, garage kept most its life and all on the west coast. Its my first 4 banger however I am looking forward to playing with it.
------------------ 85GT Soon to be 87GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
Ya know that is what I have heard, its suppose to be super reliable cheap to run and in general fun, so why this motor let go at just 68,000 who knows. The guy that I got it from, had loaned it to his now ex girlfriend and it developed this low compression problem while she had it. Who knows what torture it went through in her hands. I kinda feel sorry for the little car and that is one of the reasons I am fixing it rather than parting it out.
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05:37 PM
Jun 4th, 2010
Capt Fiero Member
Posts: 7657 From: British Columbia, Canada Registered: Feb 2000
Well Thanks to a local member, here is the donor 88 engine for my 88 Coupe. Its a complete motor even has a few minor bolt on goodies like the Accell Coil Packs that should help to wake up the little duke. Hey every little bit will help. Maybe it'll brake 100hp, LOL.
------------------ 85GT Soon to be 87GT,93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.
[This message has been edited by Capt Fiero (edited 06-04-2010).]
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12:24 AM
Jun 5th, 2010
thismanyfieros Member
Posts: 3468 From: Red Deer, alberta,canada Registered: Dec 2002
only thing i missed when i dropped the 2.5 outta my 88 was a small coolant hose that comes off of passenger side to up under intake manifold...be aware of it hiding up there....tim
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12:09 AM
bakantor Member
Posts: 39 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: May 2010