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Sterling #022 -- Jonathan K.

kuehjo

New member
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letterman7

Honorary Admin
Wow... someone went through a lot of trouble to gain headroom on that car. Lots of 'glass work done. Interesting in a Frankensteinian way. You're right Jonathan - a perfect candidate for a custom frame and drivetrain!
 

kuehjo

New member
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kuehjo

New member
Hee hee! Yep - I think so too...

Really not very good work on the headroom - I'm probably going to have to carve it all out and redo it, though I appreciate the intent he had.... Unfortunately, he did a poor job of maintianing any semblance of a roofline. Fortunately, I believe I can fix it...

There's clearly some other body work to be done. I'm really disappointed with what he did with the nostrils as well - tho less disappointed with the side intakes. Both need massage (will probably restore the nostrils to original). I might just try and open up the side intakes a bit.

To be perfectly honest, I think the beauty of these cars is the simple smooth sleek natural lines they already carry. I tend to think that in most cases a rear spoiler DETRACTS more from the car than it adds. That one is definitely coming off, and the original line is being restored. The one rear spoiler that I have EVER seen that i really liked on a Sterling was the one piece spoiler that went from side to side and across the top - I think it may have come off a sport spoiler for a pick-up truck. Very smooth, very well done (if I can find a photo, I'll post it).

The car is very raw all the way around. I really don't have much to feel bad about in doing ANYTHING to it. The pan is shot, with the floorboards nearly rusted through. The engine has sat unprotected from the elements for God knows how long. The car is ready for a COMPLETE rebuild.

Jonathan
 

thestevie

Member
I kinda like what was done to the canopy. (I also could not know what I'm talking about.)
It would need a lot of work but if you tied it in to the rest of the car it would look then most regular sterling. It wold give it more of a modern look.
I would go for something like that eureka on the other forums.

I'm not a big fan of the spoiler either.
I do like the hood for some reason.
 

letterman7

Honorary Admin
Might be easier to replace the canopy if you wanted to return it to original. I think Greg has a couple spares and he's sort of in your area. Might want to shoot him an email to see what he's got laying about. Did the car even have side windows to fit those openings?
 

kuehjo

New member
I'll try and get some closer up pictures of both the hood and the canopy.

I don't mind the canopy so much - he just didn't do such a great job of blending the body line from the canopy into the rear pillars. If I can build them up, and smooth down the canopy - and get a more even "flow" I would be fine with it. I think his intent was to try and build a little more headroom into the car. Valiant effort - just not quite there yet...

No side windows - I have on occasion spared a few moments to consider this issue. I would LOVE to have roll down windows, but I'm not sure that is going to be feasible. I'm imagining flat safety glass, either hinged at the front, or top - but I'm not a huge fan of either setup. Even if they only rolled PARTWAY down, a roll-up window would still be so much cooler... I have to admit though - i have NOT looked very deeply into this issue yet - i really have NO idea how others have been handling this issue.

I haven't decided if I like the hood or not. I guess i wish the nostril slits were just a little taller. I don't dislike what he did, i'm just not sure I love it. I'm gonna have to look at it more carefully...
 
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letterman7

Honorary Admin
Trust me... there's no way to do a roll-down window in these cars. There's no place for the glass to go! You could do a half window, though, like the Countach. That would just fit into the canopy recess. Another option that I looked at was a slider, where the outer sliding portion would actually go past the edge of the canopy when it was open. Couldn't figure the logistics of it though, having that glass or plex hanging in the wind..
 

Unofun

Member
I was wondering when this car would turn up.... I looked at buying it a few years ago in I believe Sacramento. You really have your work cut out for yourself I must say!
It was certainly more than I'll ever tackle......

But Ricks right, I do have lots of extra parts from my parts cars, Including complete bodies and canopies, side scoops, ect..... if your interested (I'm certainly interest in getting rid of some of them) *nothing to see*
I don't mean to be mean but it would sure save you alot of time and money to go that route. As for the roll down windows, a targa top cures that desire quite nicely! and as a friend once told me--- you want roll down windows? ya should have bought a chevy! :D

Give me a call if I can help you out....

Greg AKA "UNOFUN" 209-402-9748

I'm near San Jose, ca. part of the week and up with the cars when I can, up in Or.
 

kuehjo

New member
Hiya Greg!

Yup - I picked this one up just south of you about, what, maybe two years ago? But it was inexpensive and already titled, which here in CA is worth its weight in gold, given the smog regs. (Yeah I know - the first 500 every year are exempt - but those numbers go in about 2 days - literally - you better have an appointment and you STAY THERE until they give you your number...)

Oh yes -it needs work - but I've seen worse. The opening price was reasonable. And I don't want to keep it on a VW chassis, so that gives me a good basis for mods.

Best part about this car - $800 (plus) windshield is still intact!! You cannot discount the value of an intact windshield.

Did you just buy that one up there in San Jose that's got about an inch of dust on it? The red one listed at NationalSterling down near the bottom? That was probably a good place to start too, at $2500...

I may really be interested in some parts too - I'll keep you posted there...

If you ever get down in SoCal - give me a shout!

Best regards,

Jonathan
 
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thestevie

Member
here what i have found when i looked into making roll down windows.
the canopy is too short. you would have to cut some pace from the body to add to the canopy. This would involve re-designing the bottom canopy so it doesn't catch when opening. also this added space to the canopy wouldn't help getting into the car.

the stock window glass isn't flat so that has to taken into account.

you can get a custom power window system from dd but it's for flat glass.
 

kuehjo

New member
Picked up an 88 Fiero GT today

BUT - leaving for 3 weeks of Reserve duty Friday, so nothing gonna happen for the next month *whaah*

Maybe I can get a few pictures posted though..... *rock on*
 

kuehjo

New member
Ok - so I picked up an 88 Fiero GT for $700 just before I left to do my Reserve duty, but I'm back and itching to get to work!!

Paid pennies for it, but it's been non-op'ed for a few years - and I think its been non-running, because like all other GM products, the fuel pump took a dump at the magic 150K mark. And like all other GM products - you have to drop the tank to get to the fuel pump. (Service hatch, anyone??)

Anyways - I figure at 150K miles a new fuel pump is probably smart anyways. The ethanol in the CA gas seems to like to eat at the rubber parts anyways - that stuff has looked like so much putty on the C3500 truck and the IROC that I have already had to change pumps in.

Why do I want to get it running before I strip it down? Couple reasons - 1.) can't get paperwork finished until I get a current smog (dumb-ass rule - can't transfer title without a smog - go figure...) 2.) If I KNOW it runs, then I have less to troubleshoot when I drop the cradle and put in the 3800SC. Also want to get an idea if there are any other GLARING issues (brakes, cooling, fuel, chassis, electrical) before I get deeply into it.

BUT - this car is destined to get ripped apart to see if i really CAN put a Sterling on A Fiero. I'll keep a photo log as I go, and post pictures to my builder's forum.

Anyone have thoughts on areas that are going to need addressing? My list so far is small - I'm sure it will grow...

1.) Pan support will need to be welded along the edge for two reasons - to build up the pan for mounting the body, and for structural integrity
2.) Brake booster and master cylinder will need to be relocated lower

Looking forward to keeping you all posted!
 

letterman7

Honorary Admin
Hi Jonathon,
Good to see you back again. Search the other threads here for the car that was mounted on the Fiero chassis. It has photos from the auction for reference. It seems the largest hurdle will actually be fitting a dashboard and the front suspension under the low hoodline. While much of the body will have to be cut away to work around the engine and rear suspension components, it's nothing that can't be done - so long as it's reinforced well.
 

kuehjo

New member
Sunday August 1, 2010

OK!! Finally got down to some work today. (Will post pictures tomorrow!)

Here's the beast

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(Seems a little bit a crime to tear this car apart, doesn't it???)*yipes*

1988 Fiero doesn't start, but then, it's been sitting for 5 years, so I'm not surprised. Quick run through, and it sure looks to be the fuel pump - no pressure, no hum when you turn the key - and bypassing the relay doesn't get you results either. But, It's a GM car with 144K miles - its pretty much an expected repair.

One of the things I like about this Fiero setup is that the fuel tank runs down the center tunnel. And on the 87 and 88 cars, it's a slightly larger tank at 12 gallons instead of 10.2. Wasn't too much work to get it down - an hour or so, despite the 5 gallons of "lacquer" that were left in there (God I hate the smell of old gas).*pbpbpbp!*

But bummer. The inside of the tank is rusty - REALLY rusty. Ok - I've done some reading, and I know there are ways to recondition the inside of the tank, but it's a lot of trouble - If I can't find someone local tomorrow to do the job, then I guess it'll be Pick-a-Part yard and hope to find an 87 or 88 tank. (Sigh!)

On a good note though, at least it's giving me time to research fuel pumps and ensure I install the right one. Going to be doing a 3800SC swap into this car, and not planning on modding the engine at all (just how much horsepower and torque DOES one need, anyways???) So the AC Delco EP376 (94 Corvette with LT1) seems to be the right one for the job. The Walbro 255 is an even higher performing pump, but is known to have a bit of a whine, the EP376 is completely adequate in a stock 3800SC. And of course, a good fuel filter at the same time...*ah ha*

Hate the delay, but it DOES buy me that time to do a little more research (and I hate redoing a job even MORE!!!)

Thank God for SoCal Pick-a-Part yards - hope to find some time this week to get there - just hope I find an 87 or 88 in there... *yipes*
 

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letterman7

Honorary Admin
Sounds like it would almost be easier to drop a few bucks on a replacement tank (they have to be out there for the Lambo builders) or buy a pre-fab from Summit or Jegs. I never trust old rusty tanks... something about covering over rust with a coating just never sits with me!
 

kuehjo

New member
Believe it or not, there don't appear to be any repops out there...

One or two of the Lambo guys have built custom tanks to get a little more volume, but no one (currently) is offering a replacement tank, except as a used part. So my options are pretty limited. Clean up the buggered tank and then coat the interior, or find a cleaner used tank. I'm ok with 12 gallons - and I like the center tunnel fit of the fuel tank. I just have to go scrounge a clean one (sigh!)

One problem with these tanks is that they have a plastic baffle in them - so that may limit what i can do with some of the rust treatment processes such as muriatic acid, phosphoric acid, or POR-15. There is a process of reverse electrolysis that is temtping - but still have to coat the tank with something afterwards - it just seems easier to find a clean tank.

Pix coming!
 
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kuehjo

New member
And here's the tank

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Tank looks great from the outside!

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But not so good on the inside.
Aside from all that old smelly gas (can you still call it that?) there's rust bloom all over the inside of the side of the tank

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And here's just SOME of the sediment that settled after I drained most of the tank. You can clearly see that there is a plastic baffling system in there as well.
 
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letterman7

Honorary Admin
Actually, that's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. If that baffle can be removed, you've got the issue beat. I was thinking along the lines of these: RCI Racing 2161A - RCI Aluminum Fuel Cells - Overview - SummitRacing.com
You'll just have to measure carefully at your narrowest points to find one that fits. I was looking at these as side mounts for my car, but I'm shying away from that from a safety point of view. I have a feeling my car is going to have a really small tank!
 
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