Beside tom-p's patented tuneup you need new bearings, piston rings/min hone, a gasket set, oil pump and timing chain to make a good rebuild. Why not spice it up a bit while you're at it? A cam, headers and some porting would go a long way.

 

This might not be what your interested in but i have a remanufactured 2.8 with performance cam and extras. Runs great pulled to put a 350 in. its out of a fiero but it woulr work fine. Drop it right in! i mean you most likey wont want another engine but 400 is dirt cheap. Let me know i live near chicago.

 

I can't use headers, I still have to do an etest.. I might change the cam though.. How much do the cam and lifter sets usually run for?

 

Great deal you got on the engine and trans. Good luck w/ it.

 

I wish I could find that deal around here. You know that the Pacesetters are emissions legal.

 

i really cant say that i remember but if you want i can get the specs of the cam i got. mine was for torque and was droped in right after i bought it remanufactured. The motor runs like a raped ape and there was a series of circumstances that made me go with a 350 so soon instead. The engine I have only has 1500 on it. I understand you dont want another engine but it was worth a shot.

 

Delt Camshafts have reground cam and lifters for about $100 US.

The 252 or 262 should be good, but unsure if it will fly on an emissions test?

 

It should be O.K for an emissions test, if I'm running a cat, it shouldn't be a problem.. I passed with split manifolds, a cat with no honeycomb, and leaking valve seals..

 

The manifold probably helped by allowing more air into the exhaust, lol.

 

Well I did get the etest done at a canadian tire.. They don't look at anything before the E-test..

 

Update! May be getting some headers for free! The guy im getting them off bought them from ebay, and is not going through with the project! Awesome news, I think so!

 

Well I got it ready to mount on the engine stand today, removed bell housing, clutch, and flywheel. Went pretty good. For 50$, it's not in bad shape.. Oh, BTW it was out of an 86 S-10 pickup with 120k on it.

 

'86 is the dividing year for the internally balanced crank. To be on the safe side use the flywheel that came with the S10

 

Turns out it's an '85, Is it still interchangeable to the parts on my '89?

 

Sell it and get an internally balanced engine, you'll be better off. You'd be further ahead to do a 3.1 or 3.4 anyway. 2.8, 3.1, 3.4 parts are more expensive then 350 parts, and the machine work is going to cost the same.

BTW a Fiero 2.8 would have the starter on the wrong side of the block.

 

Well, as far as finding 3.1, and 3.4's in this area, I've come close.. I had ads on kijiji for months asking for a 3.4, but my luck led me to dead ends.. But the transmission that came with the motor is worth atleast $100.00, it's a B&W T-5 from a '93 Camaro.. It's in great shape, too.

 

Not everyone can handle a V8 swap. A V6 replacement is an easy/cheap way to go for a first-timer. Freash bearings and a hone will most likely get him quite a few miles if built correctly.

You are right, though, the externally balanced engine is inferior to the one Kevin is replacing, but sometimes ideal is not always affordable. Hell, I even just gave Kevin's dad a set of exhaust manifolds while he was visiting here in FL. (he was looking for cheap and got free, lol)

And yes the Fiero engine has the starter on the wrong side. Some of the Trooper blocks have starter bosses on both sides.

As far as parts being expensive, doing all the work myself this cost me $1k...



The turbo kit was about the same (again home made)...

 

I never suggested a V8 swap. Would sure be nice if you guys would start reading what I'm saying instead of glossing over it and missing the message.

My point is that the parts are more expensive and the machine work is the same regardless what it's being done on. Might as well be a 3.1 or 3.4. Those early 2.8's are the ones that give 2.8's a bad reputation. Being from an 85 S10 it was probably carbureted so that means crap heads, and the externally balanced engines are the ones that like to throw rods through the block. It's the difference between an engine that will go 75,000 miles or 200,000+ miles. I used to hang out with Fiero guys and none of those guys would even think about touching an early 2.8.

 

I was referring to your comment that the V6 parts are more expensive than 350 parts.

Yes the machine work is about the same, though. I own a machine shop, lol.

 

I've got to pull my engine one of these days, as soon as I graduate, mine is coming out, whether I get another V6, or find a cheap V8, doesn't matter. I just bought that engine because it was $50.00, and came with a T-5 from a newer camaro.