Looks like the festiva is going to the junkyard.

[Bwayney]

Has a blown headgasket and probably a cracked head. Dont have the time or money to fix it. Its a shame since i will probably only get 100 dollars out of it max. Still runs just overheats.

Thanks everyone for all your help and answering my questions along the way.

P.s. i put a brand new radiator in it, should i take that out before i junk it and are there any other parts worth keeping? the headlights are in good condtion.

[bhazard]

I was about to post "why junk it just because of such a simple problem" but then I saw the mileage and your location. Im guessing the body is shot.

[Bwayney]

there is a lot of rust on the vehicle but im not going for looks. i was just looking for solid transportation and i have never taken an engine part and no one wants to help me because they say its a piece of crap. So im forced to junk it lol.

[bhazard]

Then ask them if its such a POS why did it last to 323,000 miles?

Swapping heads is fairly simple. Get a haynes manual or something similar. If its seriously just a head gasket or head dont junk the car. Also there may be someone on here nearby that could help you out.

[Bwayney]

I wish there were some of you guys around here to help me, then we could actually fix it for sure lol.

[bhazard]

Hold on to it for a bit, Im sure something will come up. I know we have some michigan members.

[Ephet]

Yea dont junk it, it still has potential and trust me i dealt with really bad rust before.

[Aaronbrook37]

No reason not to make this your first engine rebuild...

[muscle_Car1]

Dont have the time or money to fix it. Its a shame since i will probably only get 100 dollars out of it max.

So your going to get another running car for $200? The money you saved by not working on your car, the head, & headgasket?

Seriously 4hrs of your weekend and you will have a running car.

[Pu241]

Might be easier for you to just swap out the engine or engine/tranny(5 spd).
A lot of people doing swaps, so there maybe perfectly good engines, even for a '89 carbie available on here somewhere.
And swapping like for like is about as easy as it gets.
I think easier than doing the head gasket, others may disagree.

[Nerd Racing]

pm iceracerdude he lives in MI, and might even have a spare head lying around!

[bravekozak]

Scholtz

Have it towed to Scholtz's in Capac. Its right on I69. My favourite spot.

http://www.yellowbook.com/profile/scholtz-auto-and-truck-salvage_1820453103.html?addressId=0

[batstiva]

Okay, so you've either got a blown head gasket, a cracked head, or both. Question, is money so tight that you could not park the car, gather the necessary parts, get a hayne's or Ford manual, take your time and replace?

I would actually be surprised if you get $100 from a scrap yard. Around here the going rate is 80 bucks a ton. Considering that a Festiva weighs less than 2000 pounds, you'd be lucky to get 70 or 75 maybe. Is it worth that?

You got to do what you got to do, I understand that. But replacing the head/gasket is definitely not the worst job ever. And the best way to get experience in engines is tear one apart that you don't necessarily "need" right now. Just my .02, tho.

As far as people telling you it's a piece of crap. Can't tell you how many times I've heard that with my 3 Festivas. In one ear, out the other.

[juryrigger007]

people that shun the festivas as a "piece of crap", are either jealous, or secretly hope that you'll sell it to them, so they can fix it, and keep it to themselves.

I'd tear into it, and see how bad things are. I certainly would not give up, just yet!!!

[Bwayney]

I ended up junking it at a LKQ here in michigan and i miss it i will not lie about that. It drove the 7 miles to the junkyard with a blown head and almost zero coolant. shifted like a champ. I eneded up getting 125 dollars from them.