Turtle Power Project

[Prafeston]

I say project, but this is going to be my Driver when I'm not on the motorcycle.

1992 Ford Festiva - 211k miles - 5spd - A/C



Just to get it to pass inspection things I know it needs headlights (already replaced), horn (ordered), and a new windshield (hopefully picking up tomorrow). That's just what I know off hand. I'll take it to my mechanic Thursday or Friday and hopefully it's good to go. I'm sure they'll tell me it needs some things, but I'm hoping it will at least pass inspection and I can work on the rest as I'm driving it.

Couple needs/problems right now:
- Need the center dash trim (the surround for the AC/Radio/Etc) mine is crack/broken up by where I'm guessing it is supposed to be screwed in.
- Need Dome light. The innards are there, but no cover.
- All 3 seats are starting to rip up pretty bad. Drivers is most important to replace, but still functional as is. May never replace the rear...probably just throw a seat cover on it.
- Shifter rattles pretty bad at lower RPMs. Was told it probably needs new bushings.
- Would love to do a fixed seat belt mod.
- Would love to get a stock tachometer instrument panel
- Would love to get a spoiler
- Would love to get a open style grill (still a little confused here...was there a year or maybe a Kia/Mazda grill that was already like this or are people cutting the center section out of the older style grills?)

That's all for now. Should I need brake or suspension work I'll probably want to look into the Aspire swap. I'm sure this list will keep on growing!

[Prafeston]

Ok, trying to track down the shifter bushings and found some yahoo auto group for Festivas that says both the Ford: E7GZ-7A133-A and Mazda: B001-46-062 are the part numbers for these bushings. Is that correct? Is this what I need to fix the rattling shifter?

When I searched that part number on Ebay I'm showing an Escort part? And when I put in the Festiva to see if that part will fit it says no.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200724079902

[tls_zx3]

you can get a civic short throw off ebay for 10 bucks for it. they will fit with slight mod to the hold down spring. just do a search on here. there is a write up on it. they use ball bearings on the bottom instead of bushings

[DriverOne]

Prafeston - I've been trying all afternoon to reply to you via Tapatalk, but for some reason it keeps disconnecting me! *slew of angry statements* ANYWAY

You asked about the Ranger lights. They're for real. A few members have done them, from 1998-on. Here's the thing; if you don't want to cut your 'eyebrows', you have to stick with the 98-00 model headlights. Some come with trim lights and corners. Don't worry about those, as they don't fit. If you go to Google Shopping and type in your search, you'll find all you could ever ask for, but there are a few things about these lights you should know.

1 - The stock lights and the Crystal lens replacement stock-style lights are the only ones that don't require that you cut your headlight housing in the radiator support.

2 - If you choose projector lights, you have to make an oval cut from the original opening for the headlight down and to the inside in order to make the light fit.

3 - The 9007 connectors that come with some of the headlights (not all come with a harness, especially the crystal and stock lights, as they only accept the stock bulb) will require that you switch the high and low-beam wires as well as remove a tab in order to plug directly in to the 9004 setup on the Festiva.

4 - The Ranger lights are the closest I've found to something that fits perfectly. However, they're not 100%. They do have the same properties of the stock lenses in that they will fit flush with the grille and corners, hood and eyelids. At that point, they're a bit cross-eyed. You can set them up easily, as they mount right up to the stock Festiva mount holes (or you can make your own to set it up as you like), but they'll not be quite so flush then. You can remedy this by cutting and welding the light bulb mount (or in the case of projector and crystal lens, cut the housings and readjust, then weld) at the Festiva angle.

A final note; you will have to cut your stock grille to match the angle of the new lights.


You also asked about the open grille. That's a DIY mod. Use a dremel to cut the center piece out, then buy a fiberglass repair kit and glass the holes from the back, using body filler to smooth up the front, then sanding the filler down, priming and painting the grille. My personal preference is not to use the cheap auto store mesh, but use some perforated steel, like this:

[Prafeston]

Thanks for all the info on the Ranger lights DriverOne. I found a thread on the subject and saw they didn't mount up perfect so I just decided to replace my bulbs. I now have headlights again. For now I just wanna make sure she passes state inspection.

Also thinks for the info on the DIY open grill mod. Gives me something to do in the future. I did brake a tab or two trying to get my grill off. I wasn't very gentle!

TLS, thanks for the info on the Civic short shifter I'll look for the write up.

[Prafeston]

Oh and TLS...looking at the Civic Short Shifter Thread it looks like you reuse the Festiva bushings...if my shifter is currently rattling should I still replace the bushings? Will those ones I found on eBay for the Escort work?

[tls_zx3]

there are multiple bushings in the festiva shifter assembly. there is only one that goes to the shifter itself and more busings up on the trans itself where the rod connects to the trans. just get up under there and see which bushings are missing lol. all of mine were gone. i put a civic shifter in and used fuel injection hose to make a bushing up front on the trans

[Prafeston]

Already purchase the 10 dollar shifter. Will have to wait to probably Friday to get under the car and see what bushings are gone.

[Prafeston]

Nothing too exciting here, but I removed the rear seat in prep for cleaning both the carpet and the seat (if I even keep the seat). Also planning on removing all interior pieces and painting black most likely.

Picks of the dirty back hatch with the seat up.


What was that little thing under the seat on the left? Ooo looks like a rats nest!! Car doesn't smell like rodents and I didn't see any scurry away. Hoping this was maybe just a winter home at some point.


These two wires/connectors were hanging out the passenger taillight hole...any idea what they are for?


Seat all removed! Got dark on me so I'll clean/finish talking the rest of the panels off tomorrow hopefully.

[Prafeston]

Got some more parts I need.

- Rear Speaker trim pieces. Both sides were cracked.
- Rear Carpet.
- Rear Cargo Cover Panel

[Festiva_Fred]

Nice festy! Extra wires are for the cargo hatch light. Came on LX festivas.

[Prafeston]

I had a hunch that might have been what those wires were for. Thanks for confirming.

[Festiva100]

There is a nice guide posted for the open style grille over in the exterior how to section. Here's the link: http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=20549

[Prafeston]

Thanks for the link. I've never worked with fiberglass before. Doesn't look to hard though. Just gotta find me one of those grills.

[Bert]

If the car is due for new front rotors (and they often are) start looking around for an inexpensive and/or dead Ford Aspire. The 'floating' and vented rotors on those particular vehicles (and early Kia Rios!) is vastly superior, and infinitely easier to service, than OEM Festy front brakes. Kia rear frames are not compatible with Festys whereas Aspire rear end stuff is perfect. Labour, effort and financially this enables you to 'kill 2 birds with one stone'. Also gets you much more common 100mm wheel bolt pattern instead of the obscure Festy wheel pattern, meaning upgrade away from 12 inch tires is much simpler. There are dozens of posts on how to swap in Aspire/Rio suspension and brakes and you will never regret having a go at it providing you're in for the 'long haul'.
I would suggest you leave the grill and light mods and nickle and dime stuff alone until you're satisfied that the mechanicals are in good shape. Quick&dirty upholstery work involves aftermarket seat covers until you can track down the interior seats out of an LX or GL (much more cloth and therefore less torn/cracked vinyl), or start swapping out factory front seat covers from any number of Mazda frames. Search feature on this site will guide you in that regard.
And; good luck!