Engine cradle question

I just bought a 85 notchback se 2.8 2 weeks ago . I was driving it to the
store and then the frame broke apart . I didn't look at the cradle before I
bought it . After later inspection I found out that both sides of the rear
section of the frame was rotted out .

Anyway I have a good 86 parts car due to recent flood . My question is can I
change the cradle without dropping the motors ?

Any hints, tricks, or websites are appreciated.

phaqwarez wrote:
>
> I just bought a 85 notchback se 2.8 2 weeks ago . I was driving it to the
> store and then the frame broke apart . I didn't look at the cradle before I
> bought it . After later inspection I found out that both sides of the rear
> section of the frame was rotted out .
>
> Anyway I have a good 86 parts car due to recent flood . My question is can I
> change the cradle without dropping the motors ?
>
> Any hints, tricks, or websites are appreciated.

Pennocks has lots of good info, http://www.fiero.nl

Yes, you can swap the cradles no problem, it will take a
bit of work to do it with the engine in the car. You'll
need to make a wooden bar that straddles the two strut
towers and has adjustable hooks to connect to the front
and back engine lift points, this allows the engine and
tranny to hang while you remove the cradle. The exhaust
will need to come out, but it can be removed as a unit
leaving the crossover pipe still attached to the engine.
Deciding what suspension parts to move or keep while
swapping depends on bolt and component condition. I'd
recommend not removing the strut from the knuckle unless
there is just no other way. Expect the nuts welded inside
the body where the cradle bolts attach to break loose, you
can access those several different ways including removing
the rear bumper or cutting access holes. You might want to
do a thorough inspection of the structural sheet metal of
the car before starting this, normally the cradle is the
last part to rust out.

JazzMan
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rremove the struts and spindle at lower ball joint, just one cross bolt
and no alignment adjustments to mess up.
--
Robert W. Hughes (Bob)
BackYard Engineering
29:40.237N, 95:28.726W or perhaps 30:55.265N, 95:20.590W
Houston, Texas "The city with too much Oxygen"
rwhughe@oplink.net