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Hey guys,
Years ago, I rebuilt the 2.8 in my Fiero into a 3.1. The motor ran well, but everything else in the car started to fail... so I parked it. It's been sitting in my garage for years and years, and now I'm looking to get it back on the road. I'm rebuilding EVERYTHING else on the car too, but when it comes to the motor, I'm trying to decide what to do.
The motor is a 2.8 with 3.1 crank and rods and a set of sealed power .030 overbore pistons.
As per the engine builder and the supplier of the parts (ARI), it was determined that my compression would be roughly 9.2:1. I'm also told that it's more like 3.2 liters of displacement.
Now, the problem my motor had BEFORE I parked it was this: (see video)
The video is huge, sorry. Basically what is / was happening is that the motor when FIRST started, would idle fine. As the engine warmed up, the engine would hesitate and the idle would drop, and I'd hear rattling. I don't think it's an engine bearing failure since at normal RPM, the engine sounds totally smooth. My guesss is that maybe this sound is pre-detonation or something? I really have no idea.
What I later discovered is that the spark plugs facing forward (transverse) are completely rusted. Two of them are rusted really badly. They have less than 1,000 miles on it, but allowing it to sit outside for a few years and not being driven apparently took it's toll.
I'm wondering if you guys have any idea what this sound is... and if you think it's worth it for me to just go find a low mileage 3.4 in the junkyard, or get this 3.2 cleaned up.
I have a brand new H272 cam that I plan on putting in the engine (with new flat tappet lifters, new springs, retainers, etc...).
By the way, my 3.2 has less than 3,000 miles on it... it ran fine, honestly... it's just that the more it sat, the worse it got. Again, I don't think it's a bearing issue since the apparent deterioration of the motor occured through having the motor sit, unused... as apposed to increased mileage driven.
I don't know if it's a distributor problem or what... but I rebuilt the distributor too. I'm completely going through the entire car at this point, starting from the front to the back, and when I get to the engine, I'd like to have a plan.
If you guys don't mind listening to the video to let me know... I'd appreciate it. As you'll notice, the sound isn't consistent. It only appears when the idle drops...
Thanks!
Todd
1987 Fiero SE / V6
Years ago, I rebuilt the 2.8 in my Fiero into a 3.1. The motor ran well, but everything else in the car started to fail... so I parked it. It's been sitting in my garage for years and years, and now I'm looking to get it back on the road. I'm rebuilding EVERYTHING else on the car too, but when it comes to the motor, I'm trying to decide what to do.
The motor is a 2.8 with 3.1 crank and rods and a set of sealed power .030 overbore pistons.
As per the engine builder and the supplier of the parts (ARI), it was determined that my compression would be roughly 9.2:1. I'm also told that it's more like 3.2 liters of displacement.
Now, the problem my motor had BEFORE I parked it was this: (see video)
The video is huge, sorry. Basically what is / was happening is that the motor when FIRST started, would idle fine. As the engine warmed up, the engine would hesitate and the idle would drop, and I'd hear rattling. I don't think it's an engine bearing failure since at normal RPM, the engine sounds totally smooth. My guesss is that maybe this sound is pre-detonation or something? I really have no idea.
What I later discovered is that the spark plugs facing forward (transverse) are completely rusted. Two of them are rusted really badly. They have less than 1,000 miles on it, but allowing it to sit outside for a few years and not being driven apparently took it's toll.
I'm wondering if you guys have any idea what this sound is... and if you think it's worth it for me to just go find a low mileage 3.4 in the junkyard, or get this 3.2 cleaned up.
I have a brand new H272 cam that I plan on putting in the engine (with new flat tappet lifters, new springs, retainers, etc...).
By the way, my 3.2 has less than 3,000 miles on it... it ran fine, honestly... it's just that the more it sat, the worse it got. Again, I don't think it's a bearing issue since the apparent deterioration of the motor occured through having the motor sit, unused... as apposed to increased mileage driven.
I don't know if it's a distributor problem or what... but I rebuilt the distributor too. I'm completely going through the entire car at this point, starting from the front to the back, and when I get to the engine, I'd like to have a plan.
If you guys don't mind listening to the video to let me know... I'd appreciate it. As you'll notice, the sound isn't consistent. It only appears when the idle drops...
Thanks!
Todd
1987 Fiero SE / V6
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