'88 Fiji Restoration

[ColdScrip]

Well I decided to turn this 88 Fiji with front end damage and some holes underneath into a daily. I actually have a lot more done than these pics show. These were about a month ago.

 

I picked this car up in Indiana from a member on this site. It was running kind of funky and they couldn't figure it out so they just sold it. I took the 88 only parts off it for my 87 restore and now this one is getting done up. The front frame is slightly bent. I hope it doesn't interfere too much with the front bumper support and radiator position.

 

The car:

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260202.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260203.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260204.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260205.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260212.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260213.jpg

 

Ok so motor was pulled and we found out what the problems were.

 

Cracked head in two spots. Cylinders 2 and 3 right between the valves.

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/PA260206.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260207.jpg

 

Getting the head off was ridiculous. We used a 3/4 impact and it didn't budge the head bolts. We ended up using a 1/2'' drive 2 foot breaker bar with a 4 foot pipe over it to break each head bolt loose. Fighting the engine stand and listening to each bolt literally "crack" as they broke loose a few times was difficult. Finally we got them all off except for one. We actually managed to snap one head bolt off.

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260209.jpg

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260210.jpg

 

This ought to be fun:

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260211.jpg

 

Oh and what was causing the original funky running? Check out this lovely head gasket:

 

http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww192/ColdScrip/pa260208.jpg

Edited November 17, 2010 by ColdScrip