Old Geezers Festivas - Some looking for homes

[Old Geezer]

I posted a thread earlier about some Festivas I found. I bought a 1993 and have started to fix it up. So far I have a new fuel pump, rear brakes, front brakes (got lucky and didn't have to cut the rotors),
new clutch cable, PCV, air filter, and lots of cleanup. I am still going to have to eventually put in new clutch, and seat covers, and carpet. These cars were used for auto parts delivery so the seats except for the driver had been removed. I think I will eventually rebuild the engine as it has 210,000+ miles on it.
I'll put some more pictures as well as some of the other cars that I can sell. Getting the details together now and hope to have something up by Thursday 2/28/2013.

[sactnato]

I PMd you already...keep me posted..Thanks!

[Old Geezer]

Sactnato - I sent you a PM - System says it was sent but then database error. Let me know if you did or didn't get it.

[sactnato]

Got it, replied.

[Old Geezer]

I hate this. I spent some time typing in a recent history and when I went to post it I was logged out. I then lost all my hard fat finger hunt and peck typing. This is a cosmic bummer. I going to sulk for a while and retype it later.

[Movin]

Highlight, and copy before you post, does it to me all the time too cause I two finger type. When it eats all your efforts log back in go to where you were and click the typing spot. right click and paste, it all gets zapped back!

[Team Lightning]

One other option is to use notepad or word to compile your message, then copy and paste it into the message body. I use that on long messages plus you can save it case there's a question as to what you said.

[Old Geezer]

Since my Festivas looking for homes has fallen through can someone tell me how to modify the title of this thread or if I can delete the thread and start over.
I'm going to try and document my effort to rebuild the engine and do body work to my car so as to inform those interested in the problems I encounter.
Appreciate any help.

[Old Geezer]

I am on my way. So far I am down to removing the passenger side axle and then the crossmember and engine mounts and then I can pull the engine.
It's amazing how much grease and grime can accumulate over a period of years and 200,000 miles.
For us older folks, it looks like my wife took a two by four to my arms. More blood bruises than you can count.
Just not a whole lot of room to work and lots of banging when bolts that were tightened at the factory
are loosened. There are some suprises discovered as parts and pieces are removed and you can see underneath them.
I'll take pictures when I get everything out and post them. So far there are plenty of stuff that should
be replaced. First I will take the engine over to the machine shop and see if bearing re-ring will surfice or
more extensive work has to be done. Again I will try to post pictures of interest. If anyone has a question
that I might be able to answer from this experience please ask. It's about to rain here for two days so at least
I have some time to heal up cuts and scratches.

[Old Geezer]

Well the engine is out but ..... The passenger side axle would not come out. I tried all the suggestions I could find on this website. I tapped with a ball peen hammer and pulled. I jerked on the outer section until it gave way and separated from the long shaft. We tried prying on two sides with large screwdrivers and smaller pry bars that would fit between the shaft and the trans axle. I found the tool that fits on a slide hammer and tried that. Nothing worked. So I unbolted everything from the cross member and then picked up the engine with my crane using the drivers side engine lift. Being careful I got it out without messing anything else up in the engine bay.
Tomorrow i'm going to take pictures of everything and I will post some of them. The axle will have to be remedied by a trans shop I guess. I will document what the problem was so in case someone else runs into this problem it might be of some help. The pictures will also help when I have pieces that I can't remember where they belong cause it will take some time to get the money together to get ready to reinstall everything.

Happy Memorial Day to all and to all Veterans I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service and sacrifice. May God bless you.

[bravekozak]

It's a feel thing with that transaxle. The goal is center that little circlip. You have to exert just the right amount of pressure and feel the feedback as you tap on the opposite side. You may have to put the hammer down while maintaining light pressure, and place another screwdriver with the former hammer hand, on the other side and apply light pressure while releasing the first screwdriver and picking the hammer up and rapping gently on that side too. If you've brutalized, and jammed the circlip by violent prying, this technique may not work any more.
Good luck.