What to look for

[muddevil01]

I am going this weekend to look at an '89 is there anything that I need to look for? I have only dealt with the 92-93s. I just need to know if there is anything year specific to look for or is it just like any other festy.

[Charlie1717]

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30635

Here's something to read. Since it's an 89 you'll be in the carbed years rather than FI 90's. So as for engine things I don't really know what to look for being I've only dealt with my 91 FI. Hopefully someone else here can give you better insight on what to look for

[muddevil01]

Ok thanks for the link I know that it is a manual but I don't know what trim code it is. I know that I'm probably going to buy it because the price is dirt cheap. Hopefully someone could shed some more light on the subject. I know what to look for in general as I have two festys currently but both are fuel injected. I just don't know about the carbs any help would be good

[chrisofna]

Is it automatic or manual? The auto 89s had a crazy FI system apparently.

[muddevil01]

It's a manual so there was an option for fi in '89? Any draw backs to that?

[chrisofna]

Only on the automatics. The manual ones were carb.

[muddevil01]

Oh I see I didn't know that

[neanderpaul]

L is 4 speed, LX is 5 speed. 89 auto's have a 1 year only efi system with vacuum advance. If the carbed festys are running they are just as dependable as the efi. The mpg varies greatly however. I've seen them get 48-49 with ac running. And as bad as 29 mpg but all of the bad mpg carbed festys were noticeably quicker.

[muddevil01]

Well then I hope it is an lx because I like my 5 speeds the car has been setting for quite awhile. What are the chances that the carb is still in decent shape? I hope so because I can pick the car up for 100 bucks and the guy says it has less than 100,000 miles. I guess I'll find out.

[bravekozak]

carbs are great

I prefer no computer control.
That's why I like carbs too.

http://bwbronze.com/festiva/4twins.jpg

Lots and lots of carbs.

[Charlie1717]

Well then I hope it is an lx because I like my 5 speeds the car has been setting for quite awhile. What are the chances that the carb is still in decent shape? I hope so because I can pick the car up for 100 bucks and the guy says it has less than 100,000 miles. I guess I'll find out.

You better be on your way to get it right now!

Even if it needs work for $100 and under 100,000 miles it's a great deal.

[neanderpaul]

The carbs can be finicky if the have been sitting.

[muddevil01]

You better be on your way to get it right now!

Even if it needs work for $100 and under 100,000 miles it's a great deal.

Yeah I know I'm going to buy it I'm just trying to figure out what all I should look for and for $100 I can't go wrong since I have a parts car although it is a 92 I should still be able to get it on the road with out too much trouble where would be the best place to get a carb. should I need one?

[neanderpaul]

You could make it efi with your parts car. Or get the parts car going.

[muddevil01]

The parts car is very rough it has 255,000 miles and rusted. Isn't it a huge deal to swap one to efi. I can make a carb work as long as I could get a different carb.