I got the head off my 84 Fiero. Should I get the valves done? I cant seem to get over the fact I would be spending more on the head than the entire car is worth. Also if I do get the valves done im going to get the head decked for the MPG gain. Is it worth my time or should I just slap it back together. PS, this car has not been ran for over a minute in over 5 years

I know where you can get a lot of bad head. In fact, got a whole phone full of numbers to help accommodate.

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When they come for your guns, give them the lead first.

How much other history do you know on the engine?

Having not run for 5 years, I would at least be concerned about valve stem seals leaking once you get it back together.

Don't people just give dukes and L44 away here all the time? When I had my LQ1 installed I told them to sell it if they could and we could split the profit or if it wasn't worth messing with give it away.

History of the engine....I got the car out of a field, I made it run, It caught fire, I used a powder extinguisher, rocker arms and the top of the head is rusty and the number 4 cyl was rusted so bad the engine seized. some handy work later I have rust free cyl walls and a rotating engine.

I'd bet $ that cylinder has some broken piston rings.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: I'd bet $ that cylinder has some broken piston rings.

Im betting it wont without getting into too much detail. When I put the head back on I will do a leakdown. Either way, its just a duke....For the cost of a hone tool and a set of rings I could get a running duke with low miles.

I never got any head I didnt like .....

So, here's some advice from my head, about your head. (not meant in a perverted way).

If the car is relatively rust free, and the frame is solid, and the body isn't too torn up, a decent 4cyl Fiero is a really, REALLY great commuter car that you can actually enjoy having. Being that it's an 84, there's plenty of cheap parts for it too. I see that you cleaned up the cyl walls... they look really good. First thing I notice of course is the LIP that has been created by the piston rings grinding away at the side. I've actually done something similar on an 84 Fiero, and the lip on my piston ring looked a little bit worse than yours (from what I can deduce from the picture).

For what it's worth, re-doing a cyl head (getting it magnafluxed), and doing the valves and stuff, will give you more power, but also... if the bottom end IS messed up, all you need to buy then is just a short-block because you'll ALREADY have the good cyl head.

If it does turn out that way, your replacement block will probably be a late 1985-1986 engine block with the roller-lifters (which your cyl head will fit just fine).

If you're willing (on the off chance) to have to get a replacement short-block at some point if needed, then the cyl head is not a bad deal to just do and see what happens.


Just be VERY careful on the Duke when it comes to burping the engine coolant. I know you know your ways around the Fiero really well... but the 84 Fieros are VERY prone to cracking heads when they overheat. I did the same thing you're doing... very first car I ever cracked the engine on... I had the cyl head rebuilt and everything. I put the new cyl head on, didn't burp the coolant, and a couple of miles down the road (5 minutes of running) and I cracked my cyl head and had to junk all the work I had just paid for.

So be very careful... you know the process... fill it from the engine compartment until it spills out the radiator, then cap it off. Run it for 10 seconds, shut it off. Top if off again. Then run it again for 10 seconds, fill it again, and keep repeating until there's no air in there. Drive it for a minute, let it cool, and top it off again.

This is the only way you can prevent that head from cracking. There's a good chance actually that the cyl head you have on there now might already be cracked.


But... I think it's totally worth it. If I had a garage where I lived now, I would be all over a 4cyl Fiero.

Need advice on good head ...

Practice, practice, practice, .

quote Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: So, here's some advice from my head, about your head. (not meant in a perverted way). If the car is relatively rust free, and the frame is solid, and the body isn't too torn up, a decent 4cyl Fiero is a really, REALLY great commuter car that you can actually enjoy having. Being that it's an 84, there's plenty of cheap parts for it too. I see that you cleaned up the cyl walls... they look really good. First thing I notice of course is the LIP that has been created by the piston rings grinding away at the side. I've actually done something similar on an 84 Fiero, and the lip on my piston ring looked a little bit worse than yours (from what I can deduce from the picture). For what it's worth, re-doing a cyl head (getting it magnafluxed), and doing the valves and stuff, will give you more power, but also... if the bottom end IS messed up, all you need to buy then is just a short-block because you'll ALREADY have the good cyl head. If it does turn out that way, your replacement block will probably be a late 1985-1986 engine block with the roller-lifters (which your cyl head will fit just fine). If you're willing (on the off chance) to have to get a replacement short-block at some point if needed, then the cyl head is not a bad deal to just do and see what happens. Just be VERY careful on the Duke when it comes to burping the engine coolant. I know you know your ways around the Fiero really well... but the 84 Fieros are VERY prone to cracking heads when they overheat. I did the same thing you're doing... very first car I ever cracked the engine on... I had the cyl head rebuilt and everything. I put the new cyl head on, didn't burp the coolant, and a couple of miles down the road (5 minutes of running) and I cracked my cyl head and had to junk all the work I had just paid for. So be very careful... you know the process... fill it from the engine compartment until it spills out the radiator, then cap it off. Run it for 10 seconds, shut it off. Top if off again. Then run it again for 10 seconds, fill it again, and keep repeating until there's no air in there. Drive it for a minute, let it cool, and top it off again. This is the only way you can prevent that head from cracking. There's a good chance actually that the cyl head you have on there now might already be cracked. But... I think it's totally worth it. If I had a garage where I lived now, I would be all over a 4cyl Fiero.

I've never burped 'em that way, have owned 4 different 84 Fieros since 1997 as well as one 88 4cyl Fiero and have never had a cracked head or blown head gasket.

Give her a bonus $20 if it was noteworthy!

Allow me to show you "plan b". I didnt think the heads would swap.....interesting, that just gave me a better reason to get it done. I want this car as a commuter because of the mpg it can get. I want to get the block decked and get singh slashes in the head but the bottom end would blow out. Anyway, here is plan b

depends on $$$

if you got the time, just take them out (and keep in order), wirewheel the carbon off, and lap them. it is a therapeutic experience.
get some fresh stem seals and be done. $10 and some labor.

but, if you are doing a full bottom end overhaul - of course get the valves recut & the head decked.

anyways - a fine topic for TD&Q. likely get MUCH better answers & options