Hey- I got a hold of a 1986 Iroc-Z TPI w/ 82k miles for $350 last week. The Interior is mint and the engine kicks @ss. I want to do a complete disassembly and use many of the components on my 86 Z28, store some stuff for the future and sell a bit. Any ideas on where to start and does anyone know where on here or on the internet I can get the GM diagrams for the breakdown of the parts. It would help greatly for the complete disassembly.

Oh- the reason the car merits the diassembly is the rust/rot on the quarters and right fender. Otherwise this guy gave me a folder with every receipt for service, mechanic, and oil change ever done on the car from 1986 through this past summer. It even had an arrest report for going 50mph over the limit in 1990. Pretty good documentation huh?

 

lots and lots and LOTS of pictures. maybe start a Cardomain and detail as much as possible

 

Its really not that hard to dissassemble... I just finished ripping apart and 84' Z28 myself and all I can say is just take your time and start removing bolts.

Let me know if you need any help... If I can find time I'm not that far away...

 

Last night i just finished taking off the last bolt on my 85 Firebird SE and i have to say if there is ever a car to disassemble the 4th gen is it. It’s very simple compared to the cars now days and the wiring is well laid out so there is a consistent flow. What was easiest for me was to focus on taking the engine and tranny out first so that there was plenty of space in the engine compartment and undercarriage to work. A few parts on the interior wont come out unless you take the external part off first so its better to get the engine compartment mostly cleared out before you start on the inside. Other than that i don’t think the order really matters. I took a crap load of pics and labeled every wire that wasn’t recognizable and put all the bolts in separate Ziploc bags. What probably helped me the most was to keep a very clean work area. This way you wont lose any bolts or forget where something went. I'm just working in a 2 car garage so i got a storage place to keep all the parts as i took them off.

I plan to start rebuilding everything beginning of next month so i guess that will be the moment of truth...to see if i was as thorough as i should have been

If you have any questions just let me know...this is all very fresh in my mind and i will do my best to help you out

 

Thanks for the advice. Munchoman5001 and anyone in the NJ Matawan / Monmouth (close to Englishtown) area feel like cracking apart a camaro- come on by anytime on the weekends.

I thought however that somewhere on the site that the factory diagrams might be posted showing the breakdown of the components. Pictures are definetely a must but can only go so far compared to a 3-d breakdown on a diagram.

 

Orlando- how did you dind it easier pulling the engine/tranny out when you had to disconnect all the crap with the steering column, shifter, etc? I thought it easier to start from inside out.

 

I recommend the factory manual... I got mine on ebay, but look to spend about 60$ IIRC. Helps a bit for teardown, helps a lot for reassembly.

And I'm talking about this one, not the haynes...
http://www.fototime.com/E07B6CEE4A8252A/standard.jpg

Interior, suspension and engine are all pretty much independent. I would do the suspension before removing the engine... makes removing the springs easier...

Here's a how-to video from a 91 we tore down (unibody damage)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kRl92ddWA

 

That was a cool video- I wish it was longer and more detailed so I could have really seen what order you went in.

I've began the disassembly-
1- I have a siphon to suck out the gas but have a problem getting the hose to the bottom of the tank. Any methods to remove the fuel?

2- It has the rear disk/posi rear - how do I begin to remove it? I've changed a driveshaft before and opened a rear but never removed a ful rear end.

3- Best advice for starting to remove the motor?

 

How can I remove the steering wheel without breaking the horn? It has the original iroc wheels in mint shape and I don't want to bust it.

What is the best method to remove the dash without breaking anything?

thanks.

 

you need a special tool called a steering wheel puller

the dash comes out by removing the bolts and screws holding it in

Dude are you going to ask this about every aspect of the project?

you've never pulled an engine before and your atempting to completely disasemble a car? good luck

 

I agree with Jones on this. Just take your time and look around for bolts as you work. Also, see about picking up a chiltons or haynes. They will be your friends as they have some illustrations in them on how to disassemble and what you will need as far as tools. Visit your local library as well as they should have the complete service manual that is like 6 inches thick. It will have in detail pretty much what your going to need. Just keep in mind there is going to be a lot of common sense involved as you pull it apart and don't forget to label some parts if you don't know what they go too.


Good Luck man.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/misc...op-manual.html

 

Jones: Dude, I understand I neeed a steering wheel puller- my question was how to remove it (horn button and top assembly) without breaking it. The wheel I can do but I'm sure you know that the iroc style wheel has a tendency to have the horn break (little plastic parts) when removing. The same for the dash- nuts and bolts yes- but how to avoid cracking the dash itself- not the dashboard/pad but the lower panels- they too crack easy. I did it once on a 85 trans am and cracked a part of one of the panels when trying to get it out.

My questions maybe weren't specific enough. I have a novice mechanical ability and know how to turn a wrench. My questions for the disassembly are in the specific sense to these cars. For example- I've done a heater core replacement on my Monte SS but it is certainly different on the camaro due to its interior location. I'm trying my best to get tips on how the disassembly should go based on the advice you guys can give from your experience in possibly doing the very same thing I am.

I have never completely removed a rear or a motor. I have the basic understanding of what needs to be done but I'm seeking advice on how to start. IE: Should I disconnect the wire harness first? Or take out the pulleys? Can I pull the trans/motor out together? Is it easier that way or should I disconnect them at the flywheel first? Since Im taking the front nose/clip off anyway it should be easy but i'm trying to figure out the best ordering approach so that when im ready to put the motor in my camaro- i'll be able to figure it all out. Any ideas on how to label to know what goes where? What order should the sensors/electronics be removed?

Stuff like that.
Thanks for everyone's help.

 

I've done partial disassembly on my car (still reassembling, hopefully I haven't thrown anything away). Basically, take your time, label everything (sharpies and ziplock bags are your friend) and since you are doing a complete gut, start where you are most comfortable. When you get to the engine, drain all fluids, disconnect everything that connects the engine to the car. Hoses, wires (then flop harness over side of the fender for later removal), then torque arm, driveshaft, exhaust.

There's probably more ways than this, but the 2 main ways I've seen to remove the engine. Either lift it out from the top (I did it with the tranny attatched), using a load leveler to facilitate tipping it for clearance. Or you can remove the bolts from the crossmember holding it to the frame, then lift the whole car off the engine/trans/crossmember.

 

theres not a right or wrong way to pull an engine (ok maybe theres a few wrong ways lol) but you have to disconnect everything so it really doesnt matter what you start with, and theres always a couple things you forget to disconnect that you see while your rasing the engine. IE a fuel line or a vaccum line. my suggestion it to take it off in as big of chunks as possible, Especially the vacuum lines. I think everyone will agree vacuum lines suck LOL

 

rear end - disconnect the brake line, its on the driver side forward of the axle. Unhook the e-brake cables. Remove driveshaft, and either unbolt the torque arm at either the axle or at the transmission, then unbolt the panhard bar, lower control arms, and sway bar. Drop it out (with a jack, of course)

pulling an engine, disconnect everything, (cooling system, wiring, etc.), and pull the engine and trans together

 

I agree pull the engine and tranny together.

You'll forget to disconnect something guaranteed thats why we take our time. Go grab some coffee cans, ziplocks, masking tape, and a sharpie right now before you touch a single bolt.

Make sure you have a bench set out to put parts on.

Now when you begin.. Pick a part you find easy. Personally i would pick the interior. Pop your hatch open and i would start there. All of that plastic is super easy to take off, work your way forward. If you think you'll crack the dash then save it for last... have everything out then you have more room to work with.

Now when you start off on the exterior.. I would start with the rear. Place the car on jack stands and put a jack on the rear end... Remove the torque arm, Brake lines (Leave the brakes on the rear but un hook it at the junction on the axle) panard bar, Lower control arms, shocks, spring, e-brake. I think i have everything but maybe not. Lower the jack and pull the rear end out. Take out all of those parts, remove the tank, clear off all parts in the rear of the vechile, (bumper, taillight, ect ect.)

Once you get to the engine.. Take your time, take pictures, and get a manual. If you don't feel comfortable doing it your self have someone help. Pull the engine and tranny together. leave the engine as complete as possible well removing it.

use common sense and just do what your comfortable with.
Any questions im sure someone will chime in and give you a good answer.

 

BAG AND TAG!

 

where are the pics??~!!

 

i personally would not pull the axles first i found when pulling the engine it i had to roll the car back while pushing down on the tranny's tail shaft because i didn't have room to slide the engine back and remember if you remove the drive shaft you will loose the tranny fluid i removed the coolant system first you probably want to keep the engine as assembled as possible
i would remove the distributer it will hit the firewall and get f***** up if you don't then remove the exhaust at the headers, fuel lines remove the power steering pump and disconnect the alternator then the large bolt going through the motor mount and start lifting after your tranny is free of obstructions then just disconnect whatever is keeping you from getting it out i didn't even own the manual at the time just dive in a and keep things organized
as for the removal of every thing i would put any bolts back where they came from after you take the part off i puled my engine and complete interior and didn't tag a single thing rebuilt the engine and swapped it to a five speed then put it back in with no problems its not that hard I'm 18 did it by my self and hated third gens my whole life so i didn't know squat till i bought one now i love them and know a ton good luck

 

just pull the cap and rotor button......if you break the other stuff on the dizzy then your pulling it out way too fast....i also like to pull the radiator and all the stuff in front of the motor i can get out

 

Let him ask any question he wants to ask. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

 

you gotta learn sometime

 

oh I know I was just meesin with him anywho please tell me your taking pics