The New Life of the 3800 "Formula"

[TopNotch]

Did the drivetrain feel loose?

It felt just fine.

[GTRS Fiero]

No extra movement of the engine?

[TopNotch]

The loose parts may have contributed to cabin noise. I'll find out when I get it back together.

[GTRS Fiero]

If they were loose, all motor and transmission mounts are suspect.  Are those part of the "extra hardware"?

[TopNotch]

She's back in the saddle cradle again, with the "new" transmission.


Here's a tip for installing a transmission onto an engine. Get a couple of bolts of the right diameter, but too long, and use them as guides while moving the transmission into place. Then replace them with the proper bolts.

[scottb]

Looking good Pat

A variation of the long bolt trick is to cut the head off then cut a screwdriver slot in the shank. Those are handy to line up all sorts of things, especially if the parts have gasket between them.

[GTRS Fiero]

Cool.

Will you treat the rust on the knuckles, replace the struts, and treat the rust on the strut hats, whole everything is out?

[TopNotch]

Will you treat the rust on the knuckles, replace the struts, and treat the rust on the strut hats, whole everything is out?

No, no, and no. The struts are fine, and there's hardly any rust on those parts.

[TopNotch]

Since my last report, I put the exhaust back together, using shiny new hardware where appropriate. And since part of the exhaust is a bit too close for comfort to some wires, a vacuum line, and a coolant hose, I added a little protection. I also put the throttle body back on, using a new Felpro gasket.


The new axle turned out to be too long. The difference is more than you see in the previous comparison picture. The tripot of the new one is almost completely compressed, while on the old one, it's not. I would have to shorten the shaft more than an inch to make it fit, so I put a split boot on the old one.

I may be able to put this thing back in the car tomorrow.

[GTRS Fiero]

Hmmm.  Surprised on the length, but I ordered 2 sets of the same parts, and the first set had the wrong splines.

[TopNotch]

My cradle, with the engine and transmission attached, is back in the car. Nothing is hooked up yet, but the trickiest part is done.

[GTRS Fiero]

Glad you're making progress.

[GTRS Fiero]

Question, based on a prior post.  If you had installed an axle that was, say, half an inch too long, what would happen?

[TopNotch]

The tripot would bottom out, and the axle would be damaged.

[GTRS Fiero]

Would the car shake, if under load?