I am close to having the 85-87 engine dampers made. But since I sent them a used damper they are concerned when they test it as to how close it is to one when new. It is like a 90/10 shock absorber. So I am looking for a new one or a very low use used one. Anyone?
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
What is the point of this thing? If the dog bone is in good condition the engine isn't going anywhere... has anyone actually seen a description of the purpose they're supposed to serve? They don't even exist on the 88 V6 cars...
What is the point of this thing? If the dog bone is in good condition the engine isn't going anywhere... has anyone actually seen a description of the purpose they're supposed to serve? They don't even exist on the 88 V6 cars...
The dogbone is pushed rather than pulled like FWD under acceleration. They provide tension to the engine motion. I open a couple of these "shocks" they were springs, not shocks (other than the spring absorbing some shock as the engine rocks backwards.) At some point it seems GM dropped them.
I notice it when mine isn't there so I installed it and adjusted my dogbone length to require slight tension on the damper. The service manual indicates you should have to apply some tension to the damper (pull the engine back) to install the dogbone bolt. Many people expect the dogbone bolts to go in without pulling the engine back. I set my adjustable length dogbone to about half the hole width. That seems to give enough tension to not vibrate a lot but it takes up the slack as the engine rocks on accel/decel.
The part number is 22046473. A search shows some places having them but I question if you can really get one.
I have a sample coming in a few weeks. Will look very similar to and will work the same as the OEM GM damper. As soon as it gets here I'll take some pictures. If the sample is OK I'll have them make them and I'll have them in stock near the end of the year or so.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Have made some good progress lately after not having much luck for a long time. They made a few samples but they were not the same compressed and extended length. The samples had 10 mm less travel. I was thinking I would not be successful in having these made unless I maybe paid a huge tooling fee. I sent them a few well used OEM samples to look at several months ago. So they finally (even though I told them earlier) cut one open to see how they were made internally and they determined they can copy the design and achieve the correct in and out dimensions. So I should have this sample in maybe 10 days or so.
If the sample is good I would have them on hand by early next year.
Externally the samples they made so far look very similar to the OEM damper. They look very well made in fit and finish.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Received another sample and it is exactly the same as the OEM damper in the compressed and extended length. The dampening is also for the most part exactly the same. Very, very difficult to pull open and very, very easy to push it closed. I have two NOS GM factory dampers here to compare the sample to. So I will have a batch of them made. I should have some in stock by the end of March or early April.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Nice work,Rodney. Thanks for all your Fiero dedication!
Thanks. Most probably have no idea of the time, effort and cost etc that goes into having these various Fiero reproduction parts made. Many of these things I have done can take me a few years to get to the point of actually having the part(s) made.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
I have some coming and I should have them on hand in a week or two.
------------------ Rodney Dickman
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page: All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories 7604 Treeview Drive Caledonia, WI 53108 Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575
