clanking sound in 2.8L Fiero Engine

[Scott205]

I have heard a clanking sound in a 1986 Fiero 2.8L V6 car (notchback) I bought. I think it is a broken piston rod. I have the exhaust off the car and there appears to be a small (1/4") hole in the oil pan near one of the middle bolts (and it will take me awhile to get that one off).

First.. will the engine be trashed? 2nd is this one a replacement for the 3.1L Crankshaft if the engine can be saved?

[GPRacer]

It sounds like it could be a rod. Is it a pretty nasty clanking? I'd say it's safe to say a rod if there's a hole there.

Who knows if the engine will be trashed. It depends on how the rod broke. It could have snapped directly in half, or towards the top, and scaped the cylinder every time it went up/down. You could always get it bored/sleeved.

And the 2.8 and 3.1 have different cranks. That's really the main reason there's a difference between the two, because the 3.1 has a longer stroke. They use the same block though

[Scott205]

thanks GPRacer.. I am thinking the rod broke, but on the first piston closest to the pullies (don't remember if that is 1 or 6) I can't get the oil pan off it is hanging on that side, i will try to rotate the engine on tuesday or wednesday.

If i replaced the crank to a 3.1L would I also need to replace the pistons and rods?

[Ed_Mc.]

Just new pistons; you can re-use the rods, but it'd be a good idea to have the remaining non-grenaded ones rebuilt.

You'll need a set of 3.1 RWD cast-iron-head pistons, these came in early-90's Camaro's, Isuzu Rodeo's & PU's, and also some TBI-equipped GM FWD minivans (think: Lumina) which had 3.1's with downdraft 2-bbl TBI and iron heads.

I used Sealed Power H562CP pistons when I rebuilt an Isuzu Trooper 2.8 into a 3.1. These pistons are teflon-coated on the skirts and very nice units.

HTH & G'luck with the rebuild.........ed

[Scott205]

So what would give me the best compression? I am not sure i want to replace just one rod.. so might be looking for 3.1 Crank, new pistons and rods..