Bare with me here. I'm still learning engine and transmission work. I have a 1987 firebird 2.8 v6 with an automatic transmission.

I removed the dust cover today and discovered chunks of my flywheel laying in the cover. Previously thought it was the starter keeping me from starting. I was wrong. Could you tell me what I need to know so I know what I'll be looking for when buying a new flywheel. Not just this motor and transmission but for future reference later on also.

 

that is actually known as a "flexplate"in automatic transmission aplications Is if pieces of the ring gear the starter engages you found in the dustcover?Imported "aftermarket" parts usually are iffy quality-junk metal,runout of starter ring,etc.,so original GM best-new or used.If flexplate cracked around crank hub,transmission likely misaligned with engine-loose bellhousing bolts.etc.

 

Flex plates tear up all the time.

It's REAL EEEEEZY to replace though, in spite of looking like a major ordeal. All ya gotta do is, split the motor & trans far enough to get a wrench up in there. Maybe 2" at the most.

Support the trans with a piece of 2x6 or something up under the pan that's long enough to reach the edges of it but not hang over too much, remove the crossmember, remove the drive shaft, remove the converter bolts, take out the 2 bottom trans <-> engine bolts and replace them with some that are about 6" long, take out the rest of the trans BH bolts, slide the trans back, put a LONG STRAIGHT box wrench up in there (don't know the size on that motor, never even seen one before, but I'd expect something in the 17 - 19mm kind of range) and unbolt the flex plate. Installation is the reverse of removal.

I wouldn't worry too much about all the rest of what 8t2 was talking about... sure, stuff like that does happen, but in spite of all the doom and gloom, might as well just fix your car and move on. Generally, they just give out from old age. Get a Pioneer brand replacement at the parts store, plenty good enough for a 6-cyl daily driver. Pretty cheeeeep besides; maybe $50 or so.

 

Before knowing any better; I tried to install a later year flywheel onto an 87 2.8 once. Learned the hard way that the flywheel balance was changed on the later year V6's. Just be sure that you get a replacement flywheel that's made for an 87 !!