What have you done to your Festiva today!?

[robmac]

I just replaced my ICM because squirrely things were happening, also I replaced my cigarette lighter because those 12v heater defroster things aren't meant to heat a Festiva, but will however heat up the tiny wire on the back of the lighter. Oh and I replaced my windshield wiper sprayer nozzle thingy because mine was clogged and only sprayed the passenger side, which would be great if my car was RHD but alas it is not. All parts were stolen off my rolled car which brought my total to free ninety free and about 10 minutes of my day.

[blkfordsedan]

Well, I know how he feels. Anything with square headlights, blade fuses, and a dimmer switch on the steering column is "modern" to me! Your lucky if you found someone that old that does alignment. I guarantee he'll get it right and not just "within spec". I remember when an alignment was an all day event. They would actually take the time to tweak the subframe if needed to get it dead on. Then they would take the car out and drive it as many times as required until they were satisfied. They were craftsmen. Now, if it falls within the spec range they don't even mess with it.

[MiltonHavoc]

Coolant flush, and cascade in the radiator....
Was green, then brown, then darker brown, then tan, then flakey....now hopefully clear when I drain for the last time in the morning. doing thermostat tomorrow.
Started painting the interior today. Installed a head unit. new speakers all around tomorrow. custom box for 6x9's in the back seat or trunk.....

[Twistiva]

I wouldn't call uni-body construction "modern". Most mid-size cars have been uni-body since the early 1960's. Fairlanes, Falcons, Mustangs, Cougars, Comets, Etc.. Not sure what GM cars were, other than Camaros and Novas.

Brian -

"Modern" was not my word, that was the word used by the body shop owner.

Although, come to think of it, the guy was in his late-70s so I guess a car built in the 1960s, or 1988 like my Festy, would be "modern" to him!...:highly_amused:

[blkfordsedan]

I wouldn't call uni-body construction "modern". Most mid-size cars have been uni-body since the early 1960's. Fairlanes, Falcons, Mustangs, Cougars, Comets, Etc.. Not sure what GM cars were, other than Camaros and Novas.

[Twistiva]

.....and today I dropped it off at the body shop to straighten it out. Should be done tomorrow!

Also went to see my other Festiva, an 88LX I'm debating about changing from parts car status to DD for my youngest son, and patched a hole in the tarp over the rear hatch window (broken out long ago by previous owner) to keep the rain and snow out of it this winter.

[Twistiva]

Drove to a well-respected collision repair business today in my town and talked with the owner about repairing/straightening my Festiva from a 3-5 mph head-on collision with a curb over 10 years ago.

Actually, I learned today that Festivas (and most "modern" cars....of which, in this case, Festivas qualify as "modern") don't have a solid frame down below. The shop owner told me most cars today have what is called a "uni-body" in which the body/foundation of the car is made up of various sub-floor parts that are just bolted together. (Hopefully I got that right.) Heavier vehicles like trucks have an actual "chassis" but most vehicles today do not.

About 4 hrs of loosening some of the uni-body parts and then re-aligning them and an acutal wheel alignment and, presto!, the left side door panel shouldn't be hitting the rear part of the left front fender anymore.

Taking it in and dropping it off tomorrow....banana time

[RhodeStiva]

looks good

[Festevil3]

I got started on my aspire swap




I fought the bolts and brake lines all the way. I still have to get two lower strut bolts and one brake line to complete the swap.



I put a fresh coat of black paint on everything

[Flyin4stroke]

What have you done to your Festiva today!?

Finished connecting header to the rest of the exhaust. Took it for a test drive on the interstate, top end is greatly inproved,can't tell much difference in the low end, maybe a little boost in exceleration. Took an 360 exit ramp at a fast rate, front end much stiffer, now I need to replace swaybar bushings. already have then just need to install.nthego:

Now the fun begins! Hey, Gary I uhh have a couple b6ts laying around just saying. Maybe you want some more top end or whatever.

[navdoc101]

Finished connecting header to the rest of the exhaust. Took it for a test drive on the interstate, top end is greatly inproved,can't tell much difference in the low end, maybe a little boost in exceleration. Took an 360 exit ramp at a fast rate, front end much stiffer, now I need to replace swaybar bushings. already have then just need to install.nthego:

[defprun]

Found that my rear rocker panels are composed of some fancy expando-foam and bondo....reconstruction is starting...pics to come.

[CharlieZ]

what manual are you using? i pulled one dash, it went together but we had extra parts after words lol. i wish i had a manual to tell you what to pull. the bolts under the windshield where a PITA!!

I have the factory 1990 festiva shop manual. It would have been much harder without it. I didn't remove the steering wheel but I did have to lower the column to where the wheel rested on the seat. I have the core on order from O'Reilly. It's a real bite at just under a $100 but I sure don't want to go thru this exercise again with a used or repaired core. I'm taking this opportunity to lubricate the blower motor.

[TorqueEffect]

Tightened up the alt belt I had put on a few days ago, it loosened up and was squealing like a banshee.

[DriverOne]

Re: What have you done to your Festiva today!?

Festevil? Did that Festy used to have a CB antenna or something?

It sure looks like one was there. Man, there are a million better ways to have done that...