4 cyl. engine replacement from the top.

  My 84 SE 4cyl had a knock in the engine when I bought it. I had an excellent running 2.5 4 cylinder that I had removed from a donor fiero. I really didn't feel like removing the engine cradle, so I figured I'd try going through the top.

    It was actually very easy for my first time through the top. It took me 16 hours.

Please note (disclaimer):
This is how I did it. There is probably a better and quicker way. This series serves only as an example.

#1

Out with the old

  First I removed the decklid, next is the coolant hoses and the A/C manifold line from the compressor.Then I unplugged all wires that were attached to the engine such as: A/C compressor, alternator, starter, sensors.

    I did not touch wires that were attached to the transmission.

   I removed the altenator and its upper bracket. Next I removed the two bolts that secure the exhaust system to the exhuast manifold. I also removed the two nuts that hold the engine mount to the cradle. There is also a bracket that attaches to the tranny  at the rear of the engine. I removed it as well. The A/C compressor was losened but does not need to be removed. You can leave it set on the cradle.

#2

The old engine now removed

  I left the following attached while removing:
        Lower A/C bracket
         Exhaust Manifold
         Waterpump and housing
         Starter
         Torque Convertor

#3

The new engine

   Here's the better engine sitting on its original cradle. Before installing the new engine I removed the following to make for a smoother install.
       Waterpump and its housing
       Both upper and lower A/C brackets
       Starter
This engine was also mated to an automatic tranny, so I didn't need to swap anything driveline related.

#4

Getting ready for install

  Before squeezing in the "better" engine, I reinstalled the engine mount and hardware. The transmission to engine bracket is also reinstalled.

#5

In with the new

  Now in the famous words of all Haynes and Chiltons repair manuals: "Install is the reverse of removal".

   As you can see, the intake manifold, distributor, and fuel system are all still attached.

   The hardest part is aligning the engine with the tranny. Once aligned, it takes some pushing to insert the two.

   The picture doesn't show it, but I did remove the A/C manifold line for easier installation.

  All that's needed to finish the job is reinstalling the waterpump housing, coolant hoses, reattaching the exhaust system, and rewiring the engine. I haven't installed the A/C compressor yet. I plan on using this fiero only during the winter months.