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I got a nice free pontiac fiero. 1984 rear engine 4cylinder rwd.

Over heats. Think ill need to do a head gasket. But can tell looks to be a matter of basic maintenance. Fluids, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, oil change and clean 30 years of.black gunk off the engine (probably a large chunk of the overheating problem)

Pics didn't post. It drives like a hunk of **** forgot to say that but I got it home (been sitting with half a tank of gas for 7 years)

Back on the 80s GM made one to test with a v8 and it out performed the vette so they never produced them.

They were very fun cars to drive. Had one with the 4cyl would do 90 in second gear.
Had speakers in the seat head rest.

For a person who likes old car it looks like a treasure.

Wow couldn't get it to fire without starter fluid today. Fuel filter was super clogged I blew it out but will need to replace. Dizzy cap is really loose and looks cracked will need to be replaced as well as wires and plugs and rotor. I think fuel pump is faulty but hard to test while spraying starter fluid into carb. There is about 1/4 in of grime on every spot of the engine will need to be cleaned and scraped. Can't get my compression tester in there to check headgasket ill have my neighbor bring his sometime. Ugh and no money to do any of this lol

Good on ya. I have a red 85 GT V6 bought new. Been through 3 winters in Chi town with daughter, long train ride to CA, then drove to WA. It is daily (well weekly) driver. Don't worry about the girls wanting to drive it when you square it away. Manual steering, stiff clutch, notchy gear box, sometimes emergency brake- they hate it. I love it. How 'bout 140K miles , never apart ,and (wait for it)....original radiator hoses. ( Did update to Getrag 5 spd when 4th synchro went on Muncie. ) A durable US product designed by a Turk. Go figure. :thumbsup:

exotion said:

Wow couldn't get it to fire without starter fluid today. Fuel filter was super clogged I blew it out but will need to replace. Dizzy cap is really loose and looks cracked will need to be replaced as well as wires and plugs and rotor. I think fuel pump is faulty but hard to test while spraying starter fluid into carb. There is about 1/4 in of grime on every spot of the engine will need to be cleaned and scraped. Can't get my compression tester in there to check headgasket ill have my neighbor bring his sometime. Ugh and no money to do any of this lol

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Looks like yard art to me....worth every penny you paid for it.
Before you get to much invested, think long and hard about the scrap yard. The fuel tank is probably going to have to be replaced as well, very likely it's corroded and will be a safety risk as well as a mechanical hindrance, that's why the fuel filter is clogged.

Fuel filter is clogged because its stock... 30 years old. Gas is flowing clean.

The parts are shrinking in the wrecking yards, but available. You will have a long haul repairing (not restoring ) this car. If you want a good forum with huge archive go to "pennocks forum."

already signed up there. And restore is going to be after repair

them cars have a lot of potential. tons of aftermarket parts out there to beef up the suspension and add HP. check out West Coast Fiero Upgrade Performance Parts for one source.

of course, you could go nuts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65-VhSWspVE

Fast is not a description I would use for this car lol. And its not the reason I wanted it so bad I wanted a small economy cruzer that I can play with. The 4cylinder "iron duke" was never intended for fast it averages 40mpg.

Only mods I want to do is install an electric fan next to the engine for circulation, and some interior mods. Once I get it running ill be good. One winter when I have a few dollars budgeted for the car ill tear the engine down and overhaul it myself. The trans ill take to a speciality shop have it rebuilt. I'll replace parts regularly even if they are not broken they are 30 years old.

If a gas tank gets so corroded after 30 years there would be a lot less cars on the road

Ordered my parts today
Gaskets: valve cover, intake, exhaust, valve seals, thermostat, water pump.
Ignition: coil, dizzy cap, rotor, wires, double platinum plugs, cap o ring.
Air filter, fuel filter, thermostat(180), coolant, oil and filter, serpentine belt.

Total 210 looks like I am going to be busy this weekend.

Next up windshield wipers, rear electric fan, update lights, tires, stereo, window tint and other things

Ok now I need help... Piston #1 has a hole in it. I don't know what to do about it. Can I replace only one piston? Would I reuse the rings? Is it possible to do it without pulling the engine?

exotion said:

I got a nice free pontiac fiero. 1984 rear engine 4cylinder rwd.

Over heats. Think ill need to do a head gasket. But can tell looks to be a matter of basic maintenance. Fluids, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, oil change and clean 30 years of.black gunk off the engine (probably a large chunk of the overheating problem)

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Do i have a deal for you.:thumbsup:

Absolutely free for the taking.Been sitting inside for the last 6 years.
A Metalllic blue 93 Pontiac Grand am, rust free,.less than 30 K on rebuild SOC quad 4 engine, lots of other new parts installed in the last 2 K. Runs like a charm.
Only needs a new pass side fender(deer hit)

exotion said:

Ok now I need help... Piston #1 has a hole in it. I don't know what to do about it. Can I replace only one piston? Would I reuse the rings? Is it possible to do it without pulling the engine?

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Don't scrimp, Its a 30 year old car why not completely rebuild the engine. I have found when a hole in the top of the piston you will have a lot of piston material all through the engine. Restoring old cars isn't cheap. If you can't do a proper job walk away from it. I also think they made that car in the mid 80's as to when car manufactures were experimenting with emissions and that can also be a nightmare.

Ouch! I see lots of coolant in the cylinders!

On some motor you can drop the oil pan, unscrew the rod and pull out the piston and replace it, but that is temporary if you ask me. You might as well pull the whole motor out and rebuild. If that piston is pitted, the car was probably pre-igniting and after a while that piston just gave. Like the others said, piston parts must be a little bit everywhere in the engine or atleast in that cylinder.

Bison said:

Do i have a deal for you.:thumbsup:

Absolutely free for the taking.Been sitting inside for the last 6 years.
A Metalllic blue 93 Pontiac Grand am, rust free,.less than 30 K on rebuild SOC quad 4 engine, lots of other new parts installed in the last 2 K. Runs like a charm.
Only needs a new pass side fender(deer hit)

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mind shipping it here?

I am thinking I am going to just rebuild, it'll be a good learning experience. The cylindar wall and head don't have a single mark on them lol ugh. Not entirely sure how it drove to my house lol

exotion said:

I am thinking I am going to just rebuild, it'll be a good learning experience. The cylindar wall and head don't have a single mark on them lol ugh. Not entirely sure how it drove to my house lol

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Probably the reason it drove like crap and was slow... Blown gasket and pitted piston.

Actually took headgasket off. In one piece not blown at all :/

exotion said:

Actually took headgasket off. In one piece not blown at all :/

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because its in one piece doesn't mean it isn't blown. gotta do a close up inspection of the gasket,head, and block for signs of blowby.
heres one video. at the 3:10 mark shows the head:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WAphzIXlhY

theres other info on the www that can show ya what to look for.

yer also gonna want the head gone through. im guessin the hole in the piston is froma valve, which ya could have a bent valve now. also the block surface on both the block and head should be checked for warpage

Yea, I was rethinking this and was gonna say valve damage also. Maybe droped a valve seat? But, I don't know much about this motor. How does the intake gasket look? Any holes or seems torn?
It was maybe fed Dexcool in the 90's if serviced by GM. Probably the worst coolant ever. Better off dumping swamp water instead of that battery acid.

From what I understand is that a lean mixture and predetination from incorrect timing caused this. The valves seem fine though I am getting the head professionally machined and rebuilt when I do my engine rebuild

exotion said:

From what I understand is that a lean mixture and predetination from incorrect timing caused this. The valves seem fine though I am getting the head professionally machined and rebuilt when I do my engine rebuild

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do you have the valves out of the head? they may appear fine in the head, but they need to be removed to tell if they are bent. also to inspect the valve seats. and valve guides,too. yup, a timing problem will cause valves to hit pistons, a sloppy, worn timing chain can cause it. car makers got pretty crazy on close tolerances in the valve train, too crazy,IMO.

So you never checked the compression before you started spending money on this POS? Whoops!
You do know this rig has a transmission too.... right? How far did you drive it home?
Maybe you should just stick to lawns and lawnmowers........
your welcome

Mower manic said:

So you never checked the compression before you started spending money on this POS? Whoops!
You do know this rig has a transmission too.... right? How far did you drive it home?
Maybe you should just stick to lawns and lawnmowers........
your welcome

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I got it for a project... Secondly my left pinky toe has more mechanical experience than anyone my age. And I didn't care FREE project car all said and done ill only be 1000ish dollars into it and I can do all the work my self then ill have a car that I am extra proud to drive because I built it.

exotion said:

I got it for a project... Secondly my left pinky toe has more mechanical experience than anyone my age. And I didn't care FREE project car all said and done ill only be 1000ish dollars into it and I can do all the work my self then ill have a car that I am extra proud to drive because I built it.

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Your left pinky toe has mechanical experience?
What about the right one?
That is really cool!
Does it have an automatic transmission?.....your car...not your toe. Just ask your pinky toe....if you don't know..

My right one says manual my left one says automatic so my left one is more mechanical.

Hey look an update just bought a use 88 fiero 2.5 engine off eBay 300 free shipping they said it runs but even if it doesn't as long as it doesn't have a quarter size hole in the piston I'm better off. To rebuild the one I have would cost me $150 to get head cleaned machined and rebuilt. 500 for all the parts and another couple hundred for block machining.

From my understanding the oil pan is different and I hope the old one is a direct swap. I'll replace all the gaskets fluids and other parts I already bought because why not mount it and hopefully that will be the end of it.

exotion said:

I got a nice free pontiac fiero. 1984 rear engine 4cylinder rwd.

Over heats. Think ill need to do a head gasket. But can tell looks to be a matter of basic maintenance. Fluids, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air filter, oil change and clean 30 years of.black gunk off the engine (probably a large chunk of the overheating problem)

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Good for you on the free Pontiac. Don't listen to the fools talking crap, do what you want with it. Those cars have a strong following. You should check out Fiero Clubs to get good info on that car. The engine and trans are GM X body so parts will be around for years to come. Free is great.

Lawnboy18 said:

It was maybe fed Dexcool in the 90's if serviced by GM. Probably the worst coolant ever. Better off dumping swamp water instead of that battery acid.

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You don't know what you are talking about!!!!

gfp55 said:

Good for you on the free Pontiac. Don't listen to the fools talking crap, do what you want with it. Those cars have a strong following. You should check out Fiero Clubs to get good info on that car. The engine and trans are GM X body so parts will be around for years to come. Free is great.

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I drove a V-6 Fiero that a good friend had and I was very impressed on the performance and what handling!
There were many Fiero clubs out there, but they have dwindled down a bit. The hole may have been caused by a missed shift.
I wonder if it was ever in a wreck? Good luck with your project!

Never in a wreck that was reported carfax was squeaky clean. The engine I am getting is the same 2.5 but 4 years newer aparently the oil pan will need swapped and I may have some wiring issues seeing as they have different ignition I am really hoping i can just rewire the harness. And call it good however the computer may not work although I don't understand why as the computer should just give power to the starter. I am not worried about emissions as its exempt in wa so I wonder if I just remove said emissions and wire it without the computer

exotion- Congrats on the Free new toy !!!

I would suggest you do a compression test, & /or a 'leak down test' on the ebay engine Before you install it.. This way you have easy access to all over it. Even just cleaning it is much easier.

7394 said:

exotion- Congrats on the Free new toy !!!

I would suggest you do a compression test, & /or a 'leak down test' on the ebay engine Before you install it.. This way you have easy access to all over it. Even just cleaning it is much easier.

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Ya I was planning on changing all the gaskets and cleaning it up. I already have the gaskets so why not. Compression is a good idea

"If" it were me, I would check comp before any surgery on this engine.. Least then you will know what you are dealing with.. Even on a dead-cold engine compression test results should not vary more than 10% - 15% between every cylinder..


But sounds like a good plan.. Have fun..

7394 said:

"If" it were me, I would check comp before any surgery on this engine.. Least then you will know what you are dealing with.. Even on a dead-cold engine compression test results should not vary more than 10% - 15% between every cylinder..

But sounds like a good plan.. Have fun..

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Ya I'll do some basic tests first the benefit of throttle body injection is I can use a lawn mower gas tank and a hot wire battery check make sure I have fuel flow easily. I'll check spark on all cylinders and compression hard to do a leak down test without being able to run it at least a little plus I don't have the equipment to do that but fuel, spark, compression and everything else is easy (except rewiring the harness )

I just thought today I should part out my old engine for money for the swap... I sitting here reading how the freak am I going to afford this lol I think this'll help

exotion said:

I just thought today I should part out my old engine for money for the swap... I sitting here reading how the freak am I going to afford this lol I think this'll help

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That should help some. Good luck.

Us Mopar guys called them a "Fire Arrow"

When they first came out, they were known to burn.

I'd take the 4 Cylinder version any day. The Iron Duke was a tough motor. Probably the next best to the 250 6 Cyl. It's still no leaning tower of power, slant 6

Polaraco said:

Us Mopar guys called them a "Fire Arrow"

When they first came out, they were known to burn.

I'd take the 4 Cylinder version any day. The Iron Duke was a tough motor. Probably the next best to the 250 6 Cyl. It's still no leaning tower of power, slant 6

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The ones with that problem where the V6 GT models. The exhaust manifold closest to the passenger compartment needed a heat shield. GM had a campaign (recall) to fix the problem, but people would not bring the cars in to be fixed. I made tons of money because I got fast after doing so may and none of the other techs wanted to do them. Doing the Fiero campaign payed for a 26' 4Winns boat.

exotion-

You sure you don't need any parts from the old engine before you sell it off ?

When I do that, I find that there was just one part I needed that ends up costing about what I made on the sale.. :laughing:

7394 said:

exotion-

You sure you don't need any parts from the old engine before you sell it off ?

When I do that, I find that there was just one part I needed that ends up costing about what I made on the sale.. :laughing:

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I can't tell you how many times I have done that. . . Or one of my club associates needs a part. . . .

Polaraco said:

I can't tell you how many times I have done that. . . Or one of my club associates needs a part. . . .

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Generally lol however not a lot is swappable between engines for now I will keep everything that is just in case

She fits in my shop with a few inches to spare plus a pic of the culprit to all my problems

At least it fits in your shop. I barely fit in mine! LOL

2 air compressors, lathe, drill press, metal break/shear/roller, nut and bolt selection up to 7/16 X 6, 40 ton press Numerous hand and air tools and all the cutting tools to support all that schtuff. Not to mention walls full of old car parts and more equipment. I have a rack full of special tools. If it wasn't for the 12 X 12 tent in the back yard, (Also full) there would be no home for the mower or blowers!

I'm restoring a 62 Chrysler in a 20 X 12 tent. LOL

What is that silver stuff around the top of the block?

Polaraco said:

At least it fits in your shop. I barely fit in mine! LOL

2 air compressors, lathe, drill press, metal break/shear/roller, nut and bolt selection up to 7/16 X 6, 40 ton press Numerous hand and air tools and all the cutting tools to support all that schtuff. Not to mention walls full of old car parts and more equipment. I have a rack full of special tools. If it wasn't for the 12 X 12 tent in the back yard, (Also full) there would be no home for the mower or blowers!

I'm restoring a 62 Chrysler in a 20 X 12 tent. LOL

What is that silver stuff around the top of the block?

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Remnants of head gasket I believe now I want to pull the engine without pulling the whole rear end

I can't help you there. Is that an automatic or a stick?

I would imagine you can split them in the car. . .No?

rent a cherry picker

Polaraco said:

I can't help you there. Is that an automatic or a stick?

I would imagine you can split them in the car. . .No?

rent a cherry picker

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Neighbor is loaning me a engine hoist. It's so dirty in there I can't see ****. When I get the new engine I'll get a better idea what's necessary

Cool, & so the fun begins.

Got her in the mail

I won't be much help. I don't speak GM :laughing:

Polaraco said:

I won't be much help. I don't speak GM :laughing:

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Ya up to this point me either

exotion-

Your attachments show up as black & white in my view.. maybe it's my browser ?

I do speak GM, but mostly chebbie.. :thumbsup: You will be fluent in GM in no time..

7394 said:

exotion-

Your attachments show up as black & white in my view.. maybe it's my browser ?

I do speak GM, but mostly chebbie.. :thumbsup: You will be fluent in GM in no time..

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They are in color for me

This 2.5 is an iron duke the same as the s10 just a little weaker

Polaraco said:

I won't be much help. I don't speak GM :laughing:

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If you have ever worked on these parts and a lot others, you speak GM. Mopar bought these part and tons more from GM.

exotion said:

Got her in the mail

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Its easy. Remove the engine from the car set it next to the replacement engine and switch all the sending units, sensors, brackets, etc from the engine that came out of the car to the engine that is going back in the car. The sending unit,sensors,etc may not match volt values. Volt values changed from year to year most of the times.

gfp55 said:

Its easy. Remove the engine from the car set it next to the replacement engine and switch all the sending units, sensors, brackets, etc from the engine that came out of the car to the engine that is going back in the car. The sending unit,sensors,etc may not match volt values. Volt values changed from year to year most of the times.

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Biggest issue is my old engine is a distributor ignition, the new one lacks distributor

exotion said:

Biggest issue is my old engine is a distributor ignition, the new one lacks distributor

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Changing things over is no big deal. Its easier to go from electronic to distributor. If you look at the harmonic balancer on the new engine, there will be a reluctor ring and a crank sensor and none of that on the old engine. You are making the new engine old school ignition. You will have to go old school or you will need to get computers and things, wire harness, etc. You can get rid of all that stuff. if you need so help PM me and I can walk you though it.

gfp55 said:

If you have ever worked on these parts and a lot others, you speak GM. Mopar bought these part and tons more from GM.

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Cheap engineering

Polaraco said:

Cheap engineering

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More like no engineering. There are car company's all over the world that buy parts from GM and then say their car/trucks are better then GM's. Toyota, Ford, Mopar, Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz, and a lot more buy systems from GM and then say theirs are the best.

gfp55 said:

More like no engineering. There are car company's all over the world that buy parts from GM and then say their car/trucks are better then GM's. Toyota, Ford, Mopar, Rolls Royce, Mercedes Benz, and a lot more buy systems from GM and then say theirs are the best.

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Yup. I have my preference of engineering. GM isn't one. Like any company. they have their good points and their bad. They're all junk anymore. That's why I surrendered my 08 in favor of an 03. The beginning of the end.

Having had my grips around wrenches the better part of 50 years, I learned allot about how engineers think. Some of them. . . . Well it Christmas LOL

Polaraco said:

Yup. I have my preference of engineering. GM isn't one. Like any company. they have their good points and their bad. They're all junk anymore. That's why I surrendered my 08 in favor of an 03. The beginning of the end.

Having had my grips around wrenches the better part of 50 years, I learned allot about how engineers think. Some of them. . . . Well it Christmas LOL

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I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas and great New Year. Best Regards

gfp55 said:

I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas and great New Year. Best Regards

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Thank you and the same to you and yours.

Anyone know if I can convert a distributorless engine to use a distributor? Cheap and easy I mean lol

exotion said:

Anyone know if I can convert a distributorless engine to use a distributor? Cheap and easy I mean lol

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As long as the hole is in the block and the cam has the gear on it, sure you can. I wouldn't be surprised if they took the disty gear off the cam though. cuts costs. If that's the case, swap the cam's or replace it with a geared new one.

They may make a stand alone ignition system for that too, but that will probably whack the budget pretty hard.

Polaraco said:

As long as the hole is in the block and the cam has the gear on it, sure you can. I wouldn't be surprised if they took the disty gear off the cam though. cuts costs. If that's the case, swap the cam's or replace it with a geared new one.

They may make a stand alone ignition system for that too, but that will probably whack the budget pretty hard.

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I just don't have any ignition parts for the new engine not even sure what I need

You can't move the distributor over from the old engine?

If the newer engine is set up right, you should be able to just move the distributor over and reuse the ignition system in the car.

Polaraco said:

You can't move the distributor over from the old engine?

If the newer engine is set up right, you should be able to just move the distributor over and reuse the ignition system in the car.

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The new engine is designed to be distributor less unfortunately doesn't look like a cheap conversion

exotion said:

The new engine is designed to be distributor less unfortunately doesn't look like a cheap conversion

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Then the new engine is useless to you as a swap. It probably has hardened seats in the head.

What year is the newer engine?

Refresh my memory. why are you replacing the engine?

Poke around Access Denied and see if you can find something that will work. You already have a tone ring or a crank sensor setup. The rest isn't that complicated. A multi coil setup is the best. No distributor. If you got all that already, all you need is a driver box with timing

Ahhhhhh summitracing. com

I want to make this work I sourced a computer and wire harnesses from an 88 2.5 the engine I am shoving in. All I need is the ignition set up I don't any of it lol

You better get a hold of the wiring diagrams. There's no gaurantee the wiring is the same. Chances are they are not.

You don't need a FireArrow in your garage.

That much GM I do speak

The wiring harness for the newer engine is gonna be different. Might try & google up a source for the wiring diagrams to compare.

I'm getting a matching wire harness and a matching computer

exotion said:

I'm getting a matching wire harness and a matching computer

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Yes Matching to the motor, but may not match up to the car. The pinout is probably different. I would have study the 2 systems.

I have successfully put a 92 fuel injection system and trans system into a 72 car. Hence the name Polaraco. it was a 92 pickup drive train installed into a 72 Dodge Polara. I was the first to do it in the world. 10 years later, I am still telling people how to do it. it wasn't that difficult, but you need to look at the wiring carefully

Polaraco said:

Yes Matching to the motor, but may not match up to the car. The pinout is probably different. I would have study the 2 systems.

I have successfully put a 92 fuel injection system and trans system into a 72 car. Hence the name Polaraco. it was a 92 pickup drive train installed into a 72 Dodge Polara. I was the first to do it in the world. 10 years later, I am still telling people how to do it. it wasn't that difficult, but you need to look at the wiring carefully

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Well if I have the wire harness from computer to engine engine to trans trans to engine the only thing left is dash information right?

exotion said:

Well if I have the wire harness from computer to engine engine to trans trans to engine the only thing left is dash information right?

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If that were a Mopar, I could answer it, but. . . . .

I don't know how much the Fiero evolved over it's production. There may have been a change in transmission control too. example would be going from a 58 trans to a 46RE in a Dodge. 2 complete different animals.

When you are connecting to the body with the harness, the pin out may be different. One would think GM would change the plug so it can't be done, but it's GM! Who knows.

The basic connections to the computer are Battery and ignition. Typically that's all they need to run. The other connections are for the gauges and possibly the charging system, air conditioning, check engine light, blinker kube, stuff like that. The rest of the stuff is in the engine/trans harness which goes to the ECM. The ECM controls the timing in this system and possibly the auto trans.