| | | quote | Originally posted by craigtbone:
The head gasket of my Duke just blew. I am trying to decide what to do.
’88 notch back, T-Top (CJB), 5 speed manual, 150,000 miles., very little rust that I can see.
I have thought of this as a long-term project car, hoping to do an engine swap at some point. Right now though, I am probably not in a position to do that (kids in college and such).
If I decide to replace the head gasket presumably I should have the head completely rebuilt. What all should be done? Valves? What else? |
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The head may need decked if it got warped.
| | | quote | | Do I recall reading that there is a head from a pickup truck engine that is a bit beefier that is a direct replacement? What vehicle / engine is that from? Are those heads readily available? |
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That would be the head from a Chevy S10 with the Duke. It's not a "direct" swap as the intake would need changed, the pushrods would need swapped (as the Fiero push rods are to short for that head), the thermostat requires swapping around some freeze plugs to be used and it looks like some of the heads from certain years might have a head bolt hole in the wrong spot. If you search entire forum plus archives for "S10 head" you should come up with a list of threads you could read more about this swap in. They usually list casting numbers and such for what to look for. I found this thread:
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...090219-2-080092.html but it doesn't go as deep into it as you would probably need. The bonus is the S10 head flows better.
| | | quote | | Forgive my ignorance but I have read about the Super Duty engine that was designed around the Iron Duke. When I do some research on this engine the only info I find seems to indicate it is purely a custom built racing engine and looks like it would cost 10s of thousands of dollars. Is that so? |
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Yeah it's a rather expensive swap, actually one of the more expensive swapps you can do. If your looking to do it all at once, it can be even more expensive. If you pick up parts here and there searching for deals to build up an engine then it would be a little less expensive.
| | | quote | | It looks like a 3800 V6 swap is maybe the least expensive available? Are there any good shops in the eastern Pennsylvania / New Jersey / Delaware region that would perform such a swap? |
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The 3800 is one of the less expensive swaps to do and one of the easier swaps to do (excluding the 3.4 push rod if your car is already equipped with a V6 2.8). Another one that would be similar cost and effort wise would be the 4.9 Caddy engine. Both will bolt up to the Fiero trans and have been done many times. If your only looking for a little bit of a power boost and not to be a 1/4 mile king the 3800NA or 4.9 would be great. If you want to go faster the 3800SC is really good. The 3800 is damn near bulletproof and they came in so many vehicles that sourcing one shouldn't be to difficult, especially if you go NA. The 3800NA and the 4.9 are pretty comparable power wise witht he 3800 having a bit more HP but the 4.9 having a bit more torque. Those are the 2 engines I was looking at swapping into my Fiero had I not sold it. As to someone in your area that could do the swap, sorry I have no idea
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| | | quote | Sorry for all of the questions. There are several directions I could go with this car, including just selling it and moving on. I am leaning toward fixing, or better yet, replacing the head but hoping you can offer info and options to help make that decision.
As always, all input is most appreciated.
Craig T. |
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I'm sure you've heard this before but, don't be sorry for asking questions. What is it my parents and teachers always told me? The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. It's better to ask and go into something with as much info as you can rather then go buy stuff and find out it won't work without alot of other things to.
Edit to add: Your in PA and I beleive there are several active forum members in that area. Maybe one of them will know more about shops that could do a swap or maybe one of them would be willing to take on the sap themselves if and when you decided to do it.
Another thread on the S10 head, unfortunately the picture links in it are dead
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...0314-2-074087-2.html[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 11-23-2013).]
