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My latest toy...

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Boxin' Robin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Boxin' Robin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: My latest toy...
    Posted: 06 August 2010 at 1:49pm

Hey guys. I just went out and bought this 86 GT on a whim about a month ago. And I actually have ZERO knowledge about cars or mechanics. So please don't mind my stupid questions that will no doubt come your way sooner or later! Thanks in advance!

Robin

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Bassman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Bassman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 August 2010 at 1:55pm
Very nice...look forward in meeting you and seeing this car
Brian (Bassman)

86 GT Fastback 3.2L

2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive

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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 August 2010 at 4:05pm

Must be This car.

The previous owner of your Fiero has been trying to sell that GT for ages. (Three years plus?) I don't know whether any of us actually ever met the previous owner, but you can trace the car's history in the club's forum Here.

I hope it turns out to be a decent Fiero GT for you.

And welcome to the forum/club, Robin.

 

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Capt Fiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Capt Fiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 August 2010 at 11:05pm

Congrats on the fastback.  The first thing you need to do if you are not mechanically inclined is do lots of reading, these are older cars and need routine maintains.  Especially if the previous owner did not do much.  For light reading, grab a Haynes and park it in the bathroom.  Hey a few mins every single day and you will have the book read cover to cover in no time.   Then go out and buy a factory service manual for when you actually start to work on the car.  The Haynes gets you a good round idea, but does not have all the little details that an OEM manual does.

I have always loved that colour on a Fiero, its the fact that it really isn't a colour at all.  Its kinda black ash colour in a good way of course.  Not really black, no really Grey, just cool looking.  I don't think anyone ever looked under the hood to find out what 5spd is in the car or checked the RPO to see if it says the RPO for any of the 4spds, I believe the 85/86 4spd RPO was M19. (early 4spd was MY8 and M17 IIRC) 

         Again congrats on the car and feel free to come out to a meet and check out the club. 

Capt Fiero
88 Fiero GT 5spd V6
Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd.
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Dawg View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Dawg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 August 2010 at 11:19pm
I like the non rear spoiler look.

Nice car!

Welcome to the group Robin.

DG
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Boxin' Robin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Boxin' Robin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 August 2010 at 9:26am

Thanks for all the comments, everyone! Yes, I bought this 86 GT with 5-speed from the kid Patrick mentioned above for $2,800. It's been exactly 1,000 miles and still no problem. 

I had to get new tires, brake pads and rotors. My trusted mechanic checked it out and said everything looked fine, besides the fact that there is an oil leak at the seal (perhaps a dozen droplets each day). He said this is not an immediate problem that needs fixing. What do you guys think? Sorry, my mechanical expertise goes about as far as checking the dipstick once a day :)

Also, one of the headlights will not go down. I just have to turn the knob by hand each time. The previous owner said it just needed a new gear. Does anybody know who can work on this for me? What about Canadian Tire? Is it something simple to do? Cost?

Thanks a bunch, guys. I do look forward to coming out to a club meeting one day. I live in Poco, work at YVR, and run a business in Vancouver! Talk about daily high-mileage driving! So far I'm quite happy with the Fiero. But I am VERY VERY reluctant to get rid of my 07 Sebring though. Not too sure how long this Fiero can take my 100km daily driving...

Cheers,

Robin

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Bassman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Bassman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 August 2010 at 9:39am

Hey Robin,

You and I seem alike, when I bought my Fiero it was from a buddy, just past a month later the engine went...so the rebuild began

There are many who use these cars as daily drivers, but have the knowledge and equiped to do all the repairs themselves, maybe invest on BCAA...I started to learn much more about cars in general and the investment began, I still 8 years later don't know a lot, but I try.

A great web site as a reference is Pennocks: http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/main.cgi

I have to run and get my car ready for autox tomorrow, meeting with the club and getting to know and learn is what what you'll gain from this club

The oil leak...depends on where / Headlight motor, another resource is Rodney Dickman's who has a rebuild kit.

http://www.rodneydickman.com/retail.html

The motors you have in the '87 are the upgrade most of us want, as David said...read up

Brian (Bassman)

86 GT Fastback 3.2L

2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive

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Dr.Fiero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Dr.Fiero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 August 2010 at 11:14am
As above...  the 'fix' for the headlights on 87/88's is a set of discs inside the motor.  Early cars had a tendency to gear failure.

It's about an hour job IF nothing else breaks.

Keep a CLOSE eye on that oil level.  And change it every 4-5K km's TOPS, using the slightly longer filter for the '88.
(that can stem off, but not eliminate the eventual bottom end failure that virtually all 2.8's go through).

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Post Options Post Options   Quote Bassman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 August 2010 at 11:52am
The oil filter is a ACDelco at Lordco part
PF52F

And ask David once you register as a
member, he can pass you our account for
savings at Lordco & NAPA

Cheers...
Brian (Bassman)

86 GT Fastback 3.2L

2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive

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Patrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 August 2010 at 12:51pm
Originally posted by Boxin' Robin Boxin' Robin wrote:

Yes, I bought this 86 GT with 5-speed from the kid Patrick mentioned above for $2,800.

Considering what he was originally asking for it, that's a pretty big drop in price. If there's nothing major wrong with it, you got a good deal.

 

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Bassman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Bassman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 August 2010 at 1:12pm
Originally posted by Patrick Patrick wrote:

Originally posted by Boxin' Robin Boxin' Robin wrote:


Yes, I bought this 86 GT with 5-speed
from the kid Patrick mentioned above for
$2,800.



Considering what he was originally asking
for it, that's a pretty big drop in price. If
there's nothing major wrong with it, you got a
good deal.


 



No kidding, most of us would never get the dollars what we put in...lol
Brian (Bassman)

86 GT Fastback 3.2L

2013 Mazda3 Sport GS SkyActive

[IMG]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u243/Bassman68/BassmanSignature.png">
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Boxin' Robin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Boxin' Robin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 August 2010 at 10:16am
Thanks for all the helpful comments, guys! They are much appreciated.
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Boxin' Robin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Boxin' Robin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 September 2010 at 7:30pm
It's been 2,000 miles and counting since I bought it!!! And still no major problem - aside from the time I let the master clutch cylinder run dry (didn't know of the leak) and when I ran out of gas in the middle of the road (what? these old cars don't let you drive on "e" for half an hour like modern cars do??)!!
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Romeo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Romeo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 September 2010 at 11:59am
Originally posted by Boxin' Robin Boxin' Robin wrote:

It's been 2,000 miles and counting since I bought it!!! And still no major problem - aside from the time I let the master clutch cylinder run dry (didn't know of the leak) and when I ran out of gas in the middle of the road (what? these old cars don't let you drive on "e" for half an hour like modern cars do??)!!

Just as a heads up, you shouldn't be running on less than a 1/4 tank anyways. The fuel pump relies upon the gasoline to cover it and lubricate it.
Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan.
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Boxin' Robin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Boxin' Robin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 September 2010 at 1:21pm
Thanks Romeo. Lessons learned. In fact, I've been learning so many things about cars in general ever since I got the Fiero. I didn't even know how to properly check the oil! Just went over the whole Haynes manual twice - but only the first few chapters made any sense to me haha...

Robin
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Boxin' Robin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Boxin' Robin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 February 2011 at 1:36pm

The best $14.99 I've ever spent at Canadian Tire. A tiny shift knob that just slides right on top of the Fiero Store's short shifter .

Before:

 

After:

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Romeo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Romeo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 February 2011 at 11:51pm

Originally posted by Boxin' Robin Boxin' Robin wrote:

Thanks Romeo. Lessons learned. In fact, I've been learning so many things about cars in general ever since I got the Fiero. I didn't even know how to properly check the oil! Just went over the whole Haynes manual twice - but only the first few chapters made any sense to me haha...

Robin

Yeah, I must admit, if there's one small gripe I have about the Fiero, it's that you really learn how to replace things in a hurry. Hell, our club leader is wiser than me in that he carries known fault items. I just rely upon luck and good looks.

 

The shift knob looks fantastic, too.

Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Patrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 February 2011 at 12:47am

Originally posted by Romeo Romeo wrote:

I just rely upon luck and good looks.

 

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Romeo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Romeo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 February 2011 at 10:36pm
Says the club's resident crazy old man.
Never shift into reverse without a back-up plan.
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