Just another build thread

[dliverance]

doing some research on distributors and ignition control modules. This guy supposedly used a gm ignition control module to run his 88 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvt6Xw07q50 ). The plan is to do away with all of the existing festiva stuff except for radiator fan wiring, tach and the power wires.

[dliverance]

The distributor from that link doesn't look like a festy dizzy though :/

[FestYboy]

What's wrong with the factory ICM? I've found them infinitely more reliable than the GM unit shown.

[dliverance]

Mine works fine but I don't know how it works lol. I've been doing the research but I can't find anything on it. Alls I have is this diagram

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/hdgene/2012-08-15_193029_dist.gif

If I can keep the stock one, that would be perfect since I have two of them. I just don't know if I need the ecu to run it.

[Advancedynamix]

Looking good! Are you using adjustable timing gears?

[dliverance]

I'm looking at a set but I'm not sold yet. I don't really think I need them but since I'm probably going to be running the car without an upper timing belt cover, they would add to the nostalgic look I'm going for.

[wwwdotgov]

Man, that's engine is looking real sharp!! Steering wheel choice looks real good to. That's the one interior mod that I really want to do. It's funny how a steering wheel swap can change a cars personality. The factory festiva steering wheel just doesn't do it for me.

[dliverance]

Thank you

The stock wheel didn't quite do it for me either but this mod is mandatory for me. I hate climbing into racing seats with the steering wheel in the way so I opt for a quick release. The steering wheel is just a bonus. Since I'm such a short guy I slide the seat all the way forward and it makes getting in and out a pain.

[dliverance]

What's wrong with the factory ICM? I've found them infinitely more reliable than the GM unit shown.

I have been talking back and forth with Bravekozak. I think I'm finally getting somewhere with the whole distributor thing but when I looked at prices for the lx627 ignition control module in my festiva I got freaked out. Especially since most ICM's only cost about $20. It would be nice to just swap out the ICM with a more common one that didn't have the wire for barometric correction.

This whole spark thing is really giving me a headache lol.

[dliverance]

I just ordered my aspire thermostat housing. Trying to make sure I have the misc bits covered. I absolutely love waiting a week for gaskets and fittings :/

[dliverance]

After about 6 hours of headache I finally figured out how to run the distributor vacuum lines with a dcoe setup. For anyone that plans to run dcoe's with the b3 distributor, here's what you need to know. The dcoe has a "ported" vacuum port right next to the progression holes cover and the idle mix screw. This vacuum port is M5 thread. The fitting you need is M5 x the diameter of barb on distributor in mm (will update when i get home and can check with micrometer). The large can on the distributor goes to the fitting I just mentioned and the small can goes to manifold vacuum (anywhere after the throttle plate).

[dliverance]

My son's been in town so I haven't had much time to work on the car but I did secure a second festiva today. It's an 88 4 speed and its white. Yay. I'm not sure if I want to put my swap into it, swap its parts over to mine, shelf all of the parts and scrap the shell or what. I'm leaning pretty close to swapping parts and selling it to a friend of mone though.

Here it is.



It's pretty clean in person. I really want the doors, fenders, hood and hatch. I'd also be swapping the quarter windows for the tint. The ignition and locks might be a good bonus as well.

[dliverance]

I was hoping to bolt the tranny to the engine this weekend and get them installed so I can finalize the swap but I ran into something that concerns me. With the head on, the timing belt on and the spark plugs out, the motor is kind of tough to crank manually. It feels tighter than I personally think it should. I'm pretty sure I got the timing belt on properly and this wasn't my first timing belt rodeo but I doubt the valve springs would make it this hard to turn. I'm really hoping I don't have to tear everything apart and start all over.

[FestYboy]

My son's been in town so I haven't had much time to work on the car but I did secure a second festiva today. It's an 88 4 speed and its white. Yay. I'm not sure if I want to put my swap into it, swap its parts over to mine, shelf all of the parts and scrap the shell or what. I'm leaning pretty close to swapping parts and selling it to a friend of mone though.

Here it is.



It's pretty clean in person. I really want the doors, fenders, hood and hatch. I'd also be swapping the quarter windows for the tint. The ignition and locks might be a good bonus as well.

Don't scrap it if the shell is clean, we need as many on the road as possible! Spread the love.

As for the turning effort, is there any lube on the bearings and bores? Nothing should be dry inside the engine even if you haven't added oil.

[dliverance]

I couldn't bring myself to part it out. Right now the plan is to swap my good cam into it and sell it for what I paid for it. I will be swapping hatches though since mone has a dent that I dont want to repair. The previous owner said the timing if off and I found the cam gear retainer pin stripped. Should be an easy fix.

When I got home a few minutes ago I decided to use my torque wrench and see at what point the motor would turn. Its turning between 25 and 28 ft lbs in the difficult spots and at about 15 on the easy spots. I used red line assembly lube on the cams, bearings and oil pump. I put a light layer of oil on the cylinder walls as well. Maybe I'm just over thinking it though. I'll have to see what a miata engine breaks free at without spark plugs.