The new life of the formula fastback

[Fierofool]

The belts are nowhere near the battery or tray.  Could be that the pulley on the new compressor isn't aligned with the crankshaft pulley. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Yeah, I guess the compressor is lower, but I'm trying to think of things in that area that could rub on the belt.

[NoMad]

The exterior of the belt that blew looks like brand new still. It is the internal surface that looks dry rotted and of course snapped. New replacement is working great and zero noise or issues. Looks aligned but I haven't checked it with an alignment tool.

I also lost my mind and did some painting last night. I thought I was try an above the waterline boat hull paint for its extreme durability. It was rated to be sprayed without thining in an airless sprayer so I gave it a shot. For 15 bucks it seemed a good plan. It was not good. The airless sprayer put it out as a film rather than a spray. So it went on WAY too thick. Painted one headlight door, two rear quarter ground effects trim panels, and the roof and A pillars of the car.

The green is nowhere close to the sample color shown and even further from the shade of green I was looking for. It is straight up John Deere green. At least it should be good and sandable by the time I get back in a week so I can at least smooth it and get it ready for a repaint.

[GTRS Fiero]

At least it's durable.

You could paint the headlight doors, spoiler, and ground effects yellow, and the rest of the Fiero John Deer green.

[NoMad]

Been travelling lots but parts have been coming in and small things have been getting done.

Big news is that my Aramida Fi512 bumper arrived. I got it right before leaving on a trip so no work yet. Hope to fix that tomorrow.

Worked on my e-brake today but it didn't do much to help. Adjusted the cables and followed the adjustment procedure but it still won't hold the car. I am guessing the adjustment screw isn't working.

Seeing others reporting 35 mpg with the 3.4 and still seeing just under 25 mpg so that is concerning.

Still thinking really hard about which direction I want to go with the motor. I know I want more than I have but hard to decide how to get there.

[NoMad]

Didn't get to the bumper like I planned, but did get the hood vents installed. Was a bit of a process and certainly a learning curve but it is on and functioning. Lots more finish work to be ready for paint, but it is one more thing off the to do list for the car. Pictures to follow when I am at my computer.

[Fierofool]

I thought the Ebrakes worked before we sold it.  Have the rear brakes been replaced since?   

You can adjust them at the caliper by removing the cables and spring, then loosen the lever from the back of the caliper.  You may have to remove and reposition the lever.  Put the nut on to prevent the screw from going into the caliper, and ratchet the pad down.  It may take several times until the pads touch the disk.  Then reinstall the lever as near the rest stop as possible.  You may also have to loosen the cable adjuster after doing this. 

[GTRS Fiero]

My e-brake is doing the same thing.  Mine was working, a year ago.

[NoMad]

I rebuilt all the brakes as best I could when I first got the car. They did initially work but have since lost holding power completely.

[NoMad]

And time for the promised photos!

Removed for error. Will be replaced.

The side panels that came in some time ago.  I have since drilled the holes for the ground effects



Getting ready to do some fiberglass!



The hood vent as I bought it from ThaDriver



The hood before install.  You can also see the test panels and some stages of body work in process.



The scoop after trimming.



The hood marked for cutting.  I made the template out of cardboard just as the instructions on Paul's site say.



No turning back now!



Opening up the space for the heat/air to escape from behind the radiator.



The test fit.



Attaching the support strips to the hood.  if you look close you will see I built up corner supports from fiberglass mat in the lower corners.



The scoop screwed down while the panel adhesive cures and I start laying down fiberglass resin with chopped up mat in it.



Here you can see where I have "v" ground the panels to accept the fiberglass.

I then forgot to take photos of the next several layups of material.  I ended you working both the top of the hood and the bottom.  While there is lots left to do I am comfortable that it isn't going anywhere between the panel adhesive on any touching surface and all the fiberglass work.



This was the first time I had worked with such a light filler so when I went to poor it on for in place mixing I put down way too much.  So this was too thick of a coat for sure and most of it came right back off with the random orbit sander.



I had somewhere to be so I had to stop here. It isn't where I wanted it to be but more than enough to go back on and drive around for a bit till I can get another day to work on her.



Going back together so I can get on the road.



And pretty much as she sits now. I have noticed since the panels started going all different colors and the body mods started people seem to let me in a lot more readily.  It is like they think I don't care about the car or something. They are wrong but anything to keep people away from me on the roads isn't all bad.

Got back home today from Vancouver to find that my Mr. Mikes covers are here!  I will try to get them installed next week when I get back from Tennessee.

   

[GTRS Fiero]

Nice!  I like that hood scoop.  Have been wanting to do that.

Not many cars have "eyes" of different colors.

[MikeMac]

Those pink air filters on the mask really make your eyes pop!

[NoMad]

Well it has been a busy fiero week for me.

I was teaching in Northern Tennessee on Saturday which put me close to go and grab a pair of brand new 3.4 TDC motors. With the extra side trip it meant over 10 hours in the truck on Saturday though.... Ouch.

Motors are not as prestine as I would have liked but still new. Seems they came from a vocational/technical school auction so I will be giving them a real close look before either is installed but the reality is they should be fine.

I also started installing my Mr.Mikes covers yesterday and plan to finish that today. If time allows I will also go ahead and start preparing the templates for the new custom center console I plan to assemble.

 

[NoMad]

Got the seats all finished and installed. Was an interesting process and much more complex than my prior upholstry work. Adding the seat heaters was a bit tricky but got it done.

Some interesting things I learned in the process include that these were not the original seats in the car. They appear to have come from an 86. I am also missing the plastic
upholstry protector from the driver's side seat.

The comfort difference is really noticeable. I am really happy about not only the look but also the feel. I am excited to get this major step done finally.

[GTRS Fiero]

How did you arrive at the '86 source conclusion?

TFS may have that protector.  Unpainted, of course.

Seat heaters?  In GA?  I thought those were more for Alaska?