Does anyone have any good learning material for working on 4 cyl fieros, fieros, or cars in general? I bought an ‘87 se as a first project car and realized I was in way over my head. It’s at the point where my car won’t start and I can’t even begin to diagnose it because I don’t know what anything is or does. I’m looking for any good resource specifically for engines currently but any resources at all would be appreciated.

See here: http://fieroinfo.com/manuals/

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3.4L Supercharged 87 GT and Super Duty 4 Indy #163

quote Originally posted by fierosound: See here: http://fieroinfo.com/manuals/

that link is a goldmine, you need to download everything from it and keep it safe, some of those manuals are invaluable.

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What do you already know, and what is your background? do you have any troubleshooting or technical experience? there is a huge range of information that can be provided, that can be very useful, or useless depending on your starting point.

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Starter runs but L4 won't then first is look into oil fill hole and watch rockers move or not when someone turn the key.
No moving = cam gear is bad.

See my Cave, Cam Gears

Moves then follow normal steps...
Has Spark? Fuel flows at TBI? etc.

⚠️ Warning: Looking for spark the wrong way w/ DIS can hurt you and/or kill the "brick."
See my Cave, DIS Ignition

Has spark but no fuel can be several things besides bad pump or wiring problems.
Because ECM can be "dead" but seems to work otherwise.

Factory Service Manuals are hard to read by most including most GM Dealer Service staff. AllDatadiy.com data is summery of that But near copy of GM FSM for given year and engine of whatever GM vehicle.
Haynes and Chilton books have big problems and missing data for 87 4 cyl like Haynes doesn't even mention DIS or 700 series TBI that your engine uses.

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The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 11-13-2021).]

quote Originally posted by billybacon: I bought an ‘87 se as a first project car and realized I was in way over my head. It’s at the point where my car won’t start and I can’t even begin to diagnose it because I don’t know what anything is or does. I’m looking for any good resource...

A "good resource" might very well be a local Fiero club. Nothing aids the learning process more than watching and/or helping someone else do a task in person.

quote Originally posted by ericjon262: that link is a goldmine, you need to download everything from it and keep it safe, some of those manuals are invaluable. ________________ What do you already know, and what is your background? do you have any troubleshooting or technical experience? there is a huge range of information that can be provided, that can be very useful, or useless depending on your starting point.

My starting point is really low. I have some theoretical knowledge, like if you gave me the tools and an hour, I could *probably* change my own oil right. I've watched some YouTube and that's gotten me through changing my headlights when I first got the car, but that's it. I want to learn how to do more and be able to do some mechanic work but I am not there at a point I can do any real work right now.

So the next question, if you're comfortable answering, where are you located? Which state? Many people on here offer their help if they are close to you.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: So the next question, if you're comfortable answering, where are you located? Which state? Many people on here offer their help if they are close to you.

I’m in northern Utah, near Ogden.

The Ronald Finger Fiero revival series on Youtube is a great starting point. He gets into more advanced stuff later but getting the car started in the beginning is pretty basic.

Junkyard Digs is another good channel. The first starts run though the basics ya need to check on any car. He also explains things well when he is not in a rush.
Thunderhead289 is another one of my favorites.

quote Originally posted by Forrest: The Ronald Finger Fiero revival series on Youtube is a great starting point. He gets into more advanced stuff later but getting the car started in the beginning is pretty basic. Junkyard Digs is another good channel. The first starts run though the basics ya need to check on any car. He also explains things well when he is not in a rush. Thunderhead289 is another one of my favorites.

I was going to suggest Ronald Finger too. his videos are great. it helped me just to see everything taken apart in the videos.