A skilled mechanic familiar with the Fiero might be able to complete the job in 6-8 hours. This assumes they have all the necessary tools and are working in a well-equipped shop.
However, a novice mechanic should budget significantly more time – potentially 12-16 hours or even longer, especially if they encounter unexpected problems or need to look up procedures. There's a lot of disassembly and reassembly involved, and getting things lined up correctly is critical.
The biggest time consumers are usually:
* Getting the transmission separated from the engine: This can be tricky and time-consuming.
* Dealing with the flywheel: Getting it properly aligned and torqued is important.
* Re-installing everything: This takes as long as disassembly, often longer.
In short, be prepared for a full day, or even multiple days, of work if you're not experienced. Don't rush the process; take your time and carefully follow a detailed repair manual.
