Buying 1985 Fiero

[Namtraf]

I have an opportunity to buy a 1985 Fiero. It doesn't have the engine installed. It come with three engines; one is the original, one has the wrong motormounts, and the other is a perfect match. It is a four cylinder. It has been stored inside for 11 years. It needs new rear tires. the front are like new. They are asking $700 with every thing to put it together. Is it a hard installation? Is it worth it?

[poncho1978]

I would definately have them install the motor and make sure its runnng well before parting with the $$$'s. You'll probably never get your money back out of it, so but it for the fun of it. I have a 84 4cyl that I new nothing about, and it was given to me. So far this "free" car has cost me over $1000.00, but I have learned a ton and its been fun to work on. See my post on "4-Cylinder Fun" for some additional insite. If you need this for your everyday transportation, you might pass-unless you're very good with the wrenches. Good luck!

[Namtraf]

Originally Posted by poncho1978

I would definately have them install the motor and make sure its runnng well before parting with the $$$'s. You'll probably never get your money back out of it, so but it for the fun of it. I have a 84 4cyl that I new nothing about, and it was given to me. So far this "free" car has cost me over $1000.00, but I have learned a ton and its been fun to work on. See my post on "4-Cylinder Fun" for some additional insite. If you need this for your everyday transportation, you might pass-unless you're very good with the wrenches. Good luck!

My uncle is the owner of the Fiero. I have all the right tools to put it together right. I also have people you have swapped tons of engines that can help me.
My parents are concerned that it is an unsafe vehicle. They said they quit making them because they would catch on fire and people would get killed all the time in them.

[coop8267]

people who think all fieros just caught on fire all the time are just fieroignorant. The original 84's only held like 3 quarts of oil and GM got a batch of less than perfect rods. If the engine was run to low on oil, the rod would fly out the front of the block pouring oil all over the exhaust and catalytic converter which started the fire. They added heat shields and increased theoil capacity to 4+ quarts and even replaced some engines that had the bad rods.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Track/3487/fire.html theres the whole explaination including why any old car could catch fire.
show this to your parents. maybe it will ease their worries.

[coop8267]

and just for info sake that pretty much only happened in those cars with bad rods in '84

[coop8267]

and also go to fiero safety on that site.

[Namtraf]

Originally Posted by coop8267

and also go to fiero safety on that site.

Thank you very much for the helpful information. Now if i could just sell my 1991 S-10 I'll be able to get that fiero.