Our First 3800 SC Swap

[oldone]

read in the paper down here theres a recall for 3800n/a motors for 1997 to 2003 models for a fire potentional. don't know heard of it or care.                oldone in c'ville

[Fierofool]

I saw it on Pennocks last week.  Hard braking causes oil to run out of the leaky valve cover gaskets onto the manifold.  The oil could ignite into a small fire and cause the plastic channel that the spark plug wires run through to ignite and cause a major fire in the engine compartment.  The solution is to remove the plastic channel that the spark plug wires run through.

My question is:  If the leaky valve cover gaskets are the culprit, why remove the spark plug wire channels?  Because it's cheaper, and if you later have a fire, they can blame it on something else, because they've already fixed the problem.

[RobsFieros]

We remove that part and switch the valve covers and install new gaskets while their off.

[Flyboy81]

One of the problems with oil leaks on these engines is people dont often service the PCV valve.  This causes ALOT of backpressure in the engine and makes the valve covers literally lift off the head.  This blows oil directly on the header or manifold.  Lots of Fiero 3800 SC guys wanna fudge the Boost Controller.  This is NOT a good idea and I know everyone has their own version and blah blah blah, bottom line is, the thing was put on there for a purpose.  It helps to control boost when youre cruisen around and after building boost and you let off the gas, it controlls how much boost is being allowed in the manifold.  So its not just wide open boost or no boost.  Its not difficult to leave the thing on there and its litterally 2 wires and a vacuum line.  All of this can contribute to leaky valve covers. 

[Fierofool]

The SC engines aren't affected.  It's the NA engines that have the problem.  The Tech Bulletin says that under hard braking conditions, oil may leak onto the front manifold.  Most likely it's the oil that puddles along the front trough of the head on its way to the oil return passages. 

[watkins23xl]

that's why Ilike the little 2.5! 

[Flyboy81]

lol easy enough solution, get rid of the NA.     eh if you watch your valve covers and check under your hood every so often, shouldnt be an issue, chances are, LONG befor it catches fire, it will probably smoke a little bit.

[Trizzino]

Rob,
If i were to drive my fiero up to your shop this week do you think we could get my ac working? The only reason i ask is im not looking forward to the 6 and a half hour drive to myrtle beach without any ac. Haha.

Austin

[RobsFieros]

Bring it on up. I have to mow this morning but I should be at the shop by 12, beside Derek and Rick are there working on getting his 3800SC rebuilt and installed before Thursday. Call me 423-506-0594

[RobsFieros]

Look what I got, and it has "ICE COLD" air.

Austin, your cars ready.

[RobsFieros]

It's ready to go back in the car and make the trip to Myrtle Beach.

[RobsFieros]

[Flyboy81]

I know all of you probably already know, but Austin has done an OUTSTANDING job on his 88 TTop.  Seriously this is one of the best lookin Fieros Ive seen.  Thumbs up man!  I am lookin forward to having a nice sounding stereo in my formula.  lol

[RobsFieros]

Link and website updated... http://www.geocities.com/robsfieros/RobsFierosBusiness.html

Pat you might as well remove my link. I just found out Yahoo is going to discontinue their web pages. They sent me a notice that it will be gone before the end of the year. I am working on another site and it should be up and running in a month or so. I'm getting Dexter Dog Designs to build me a website.

[TopNotch]

I'll keep it up for now and switch when your new one is ready.