September Meeting - MikeMac's car

[GTRS Fiero]

Progress?

[Fierofool]

Sarge setting the rear tie rod into the knuckle.


DeSlyper checking out the recall EGR tube on the firewall.


DeSlyper, TopNotch, Sarge and MikeMac savoring a day's work.  IT'S IN!

[GTRS Fiero]

Did the Fiero roll out of the garage?

[Fierofool]

No.  We had some issues with the starter and couldn't get it mounted.  Looks like when the starter was relocated, it was drilled and tapped slightly askew.  The struts, Getrag cables and slave, brake calipers, emergency brake cables, and all wiring still has to be installed or connected.  This was accomplished in about 2 hours.  We couldn't get the trans to mount up until Sarge arrived about 10 and did a One-Man install. 

We broke for lunch around 12:45 and after the meeting, MikeMac had other commitments so I, Sarge, TopNotch, OldOne, Richard and DeSlyper chit-chatted with a new member with a beautiful 44000 mile 88GT.  All headed home afterward.

[GTRS Fiero]

This engine is a 3.4?  The jig wasn't used?

[Raydar]

No.  We had some issues with the starter and couldn't get it mounted.  Looks like when the starter was relocated, it was drilled and tapped slightly askew. 
...

That's odd. That engine came from the Fiero Factory. It was a pullout (possibly a Grooms rebuild?) that had already been installed in a car, and had been replaced due to an intake gasket leak. (It was feared that the bearings were toast, due to the "anti-freeze bath" that they had endured.)
Don dragged it home, went through it and freshened it up. I don't recall him mentioning any starter issues with this engine. (But then, I don't recall a LOT of stuff, these days.)
Good show, y'all! Wish I could have been there to help.

[Fierofool]

Don never seemed to have had starter problems, but the holes are not equidistance from the back edge of the starter boss.  The one inboard is closer to the flywheel, while the outboard hole is more forward.  The starter doesn't fully seat in the bellhousing. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Does the cradle have to come back out to fix the starter?

It would seem that the car could be rolled around at this point, as long as nothing is dragging or catching the wheels.

[Fierofool]

There's no way to fix the starter.  The holes would need to be redrilled, partially blending into the existing holes.  It obviously was working well for Don, so the only thing to do is install it and see what happens.  The engine doesn't have to come back out.

There are no struts to support the car, so it can't be set down on wheels.  The calipers aren't mounted, either.