1986 Fiero GT 6cyl [Work Log] - Page 4

Sonicxtacy02 · 06-06-2009, 10:56 AM

keep updating us john.. ur giving me ideas for a mazda mx-3 rebuilt i intend to do

HiJackZX1 · 06-06-2009, 11:37 AM

WOW, you making major headway. You have done so much in so little time. Now my only concern is, will the dye bleed when wet? Seeing that you car has so little carpet, wont it be better to just replace it? My fav colors are red and black and silver, so I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the interior.

JohnWPB · 06-06-2009, 01:45 PM

No, it will not bleed at all when wet. It is black vinyl spray. Just like paint, but flexible.

I do intend to replace the carpets for sure, and gonna cost around $250! In the mean time, I can get an idea of how its all gonna look for $6 a can (x2)

sargeants · 06-06-2009, 03:36 PM

John that's coming along amazingly!! You couldn't have gone with anyone better for the seats.. they look great.
I also used some cheap-o vinyl paint to change the colour of my dash, before I picked up a cheap dash in the colour I wanted. Along with that I used some spray on carpeting stuff, but only used it rear piece that you covered in leather... mine wore off onto the back of the seats a bit.

Looking forward to see your progress on this... just love it.

CanuckMark · 06-06-2009, 09:55 PM

I'm currently in the early stages of a carputer and general buildup on my 1984 Fiero Indy Pace Car, so I might have a few electrical suggestions for you.

You may want to replace your battery-to-chassis ground as well as the main live to the fuse panel. My ground was tiny and the insulation was actually a bit melted! So it got a new 4 gauge between the battery and motor, then another 4 gauge from battery to chassis.

But the bigger problem is/was the main feed to the fusepanel - turning on even just the dome lights would dim the headlights. It's a combination of age and undersized wiring. The original wire was connected at the starter, but I'd recommend a new 10 or 8 gauge (at least) right from the battery to the fusepanel.

JohnWPB · 06-06-2009, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the tips, I will check into it. I know the 84' had all kinds of electrical problems, that the completely changed on the 85-88 models. I am not sure if this was one of the changes or not, but now I know to look for it. Thanks!

murphyslaww · 06-14-2009, 12:34 PM

I had an 86' GT, That car was Awesome. I got it for my 16th birthday and was the toast of my high school.

Man I miss that car.

The engine got recalled in 88'(Although, I had no issues with mine), I had it replaced for free, and sold it when I went into the army for I think $8k, enough for a healthy downpayment on a New Saab 900s.

The Saab was fast, but couldn't handle nearly as well as the Fiero.

JohnWPB · 06-16-2009, 02:34 PM

Ok, I have had a pretty good set back. The fuel pump was shot, so after dropping the tank and replacing it, I got in the car, and it fired right up!

That was the good news. The bad news is there are 3 little men inside the engine with large sledge hammers banging away (very VERY large sledge hammers!).... The engine is shot

The options were to
- Buy a new crate engine for around $1,500 and install all the parts from my current engine on it.
- Rebuild this one (600 for the kit, and $1500 to have the machine work done)
- Put a V8 in it, requiring a fairly pricey motor and some modifications.

I did not like any of these expensive options.. I posted in the Fiero.com forums asking for suggestions... and got the best response imaginable!

A forum member sent me a PM telling me how he had purchased a crate engine from GM. Purchased the rebuild kit (Rings, Pistons, all bearings ect) and had it all done at a machine shop, and installed the engine in his car. He decided 6 months later, after putting 8,000 miles on it, to take it out and upgrade to a V8 with more power. And that he would sell me the V6, that was in his garage out of the elements and covered up.... for...... $300!

I am on a small road trip next week to go pick it up in Jacksonville, Florida

I had a hitch installed on the Lincoln yesterday at Pep Boys, (Was told NOT to tow anything with the Jag as it could fry the transmission) and am renting a U-Haul trailer for $20 for the day to go get it... 5 hours there and 5 hours back.

One good thing came from all of this... I now have the chance to completely restore the engine compartment and engine components painting, new vacuum lines, hoses and all wiring ect... before putting it all back together.

Injector · 06-16-2009, 02:44 PM

let me know if you need help, i have detailed diagrams of pretty much the whole car if you need them

HiJackZX1 · 06-16-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by JohnWPB

Ok, I have had a pretty good set back. The fuel pump was shot, so after dropping the tank and replacing it, I got in the car, and it fired right up!

That was the good news. The bad news is there are 3 little men inside the engine with large sledge hammers banging away (very VERY large sledge hammers!).... The engine is shot

The options were to
- Buy a new crate engine for around $1,500 and install all the parts from my current engine on it.
- Rebuild this one (600 for the kit, and $1500 to have the machine work done)
- Put a V8 in it, requiring a fairly pricey motor and some modifications.

I did not like any of these expensive options.. I posted in the Fiero.com forums asking for suggestions... and got the best response imaginable!

A forum member sent me a PM telling me how he had purchased a crate engine from GM. Purchased the rebuild kit (Rings, Pistons, all bearings ect) and had it all done at a machine shop, and installed the engine in his car. He decided 6 months later, after putting 8,000 miles on it, to take it out and upgrade to a V8 with more power. And that he would sell me the V6, that was in his garage out of the elements and covered up.... for...... $300!

I am on a small road trip next week to go pick it up in Jacksonville, Florida

I had a hitch installed on the Lincoln yesterday at Pep Boys, (Was told NOT to tow anything with the Jag as it could fry the transmission) and am renting a U-Haul trailer for $20 for the day to go get it... 5 hours there and 5 hours back.

One good thing came from all of this... I now have the chance to completely restore the engine compartment and engine components painting, new vacuum lines, hoses and all wiring ect... before putting it all back together.

See destiny always works out. I guess you were ment to drive that car.

Quote: Originally Posted by Injector

let me know if you need help, i have detailed diagrams of pretty much the whole car if you need them

You in FL? When you going to come to one of the Florida meets?

Injector · 06-16-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

You in FL? When you going to come to one of the Florida meets?

when they're not so far away from me, i live in rockledge.

the current meet for June 28th is a good 183 miles from where i live

HiJackZX1 · 06-16-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Injector

when they're not so far away from me, i live in rockledge.

the current meet for June 28th is a good 183 miles from where i live

LOL, I live in MIAMI and i'm going, well, car pooling with thatslife. I cant go myself because Lee County cant gets its act together. They tell me I have a f#$kin ticket from 2005 and finally decided to remind me about it.

CanuckMark · 06-21-2009, 07:45 PM

Great news about the new motor! I was going to suggest the 3800SC upgrade (seems to be the best bang for the buck) but your solution is even better.

Xygar · 07-07-2009, 04:09 PM

I've always thought the Fieros were pretty cool. I'm a bit jealous that you get to customize yours so thoroughly.

I'm very interested in seeing how this project turns out (love the leather by the way), keep us updated!

JohnWPB · 07-07-2009, 04:59 PM

You should check out the forums at Fiero.com then... Talk about customizing! I wish I had the money to do some of the stuff that many of them have done!

Thinks are in a lull, just have lots of other stuff on my plate right now, and plan to get back to the car as soon as possible.

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