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Distributor day after, a real pill to have to swallow!

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  • Distributor day after, a real pill to have to swallow!

    Typically around here getting suddenly mobile often involves compromises, when time trumps good sense and/or other related habits of economy.

    Looking at my bank balance on-line recently, I noticed a huge expense of over $400 I couldn't imagine the source of; at the local NAPA store here. Phoning, they soon identified this as mostly the new distributor I had to install near the beginning of August; as oil was leaking from the motor into the inside of the cap.

    I've never spent anything like that for a distributor before, though this could've been decades ago; and wonder how much a phenomena of inflation and the current depressed economy this is, or maybe the particular units are unusually expensive-as the person at NAPA suggested is true with Mazda units-the one for the Festiva is one of.

    The new cap was also one with contacts which seemed to be made of steel rather than copper or brass; so since probably inferior, I was disappointed with spending so much on that level too.

    The distributor itself also seemed made by other than a factory concern, since rather than the part numbers being stamped into the base, a plastic tag with the data on that was glued in the same place, which seems threatening to come off. The distributor itself does seem well enough made however, and the cap also looks well done despite the cheaper seeming contacts...nice if stainless steel! At least not aluminum.

    I'm now guessing that with the lack of local wrecking yards due to a strong environmentalist consciousness here of the NIMBY type; there is also a generally lower level of automotive culture too? Perhaps elsewhere better pricing could be found?

    Newcomers like one fellow here from Vietnam or another from Poland, really like to jump on the bandwagon; threatening a person with expulsion if anything local is criticized. Easy to imagine reflecting a right-wing, reactionary agenda; so probably superficial, the way immigrant populations are always exploited in this country by capitalists-to threaten more established workers.
    '91 Festiva L/'73 Windsor Carrera Sport custom

    (aka "Jazz Bobstad," "The BobWhan," etc.)

    Art is the means whereby(a) society advances: Religion is the definition of the parameters of art. Poetry is the actualization of these...

  • #2
    ummm.. what?

    Comment


    • #3
      Sorry to be obscure

      Originally posted by MasterTec View Post
      ummm.. what?
      I was fishing, to see if anyone has found less expensive sources for new Festiva distributors?

      Since the NAPA guy told me they are Mazda parts, I'd wondered if perhaps ordering one of those would cost less; for instance?

      The SHUCKS store here, a Puget Sound chain, now is called O'Reilly's; and seems to've degenerated considerably. Their price was even more than NAPA's.
      '91 Festiva L/'73 Windsor Carrera Sport custom

      (aka "Jazz Bobstad," "The BobWhan," etc.)

      Art is the means whereby(a) society advances: Religion is the definition of the parameters of art. Poetry is the actualization of these...

      Comment


      • #4
        Check Rockauto.com. Lots cheaper. Mostly remans, but the disty body doesn't wear out; they replace the stuff that does.
        90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
        09 Kia Rondo--a Festy on steroids!

        You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality--Ayn Rand

        Disaster preparedness

        Tragedy and Hope.....Infowars.com.....The Drudge Report.....Founding Fathers.info

        Think for yourself.....question all authority.....re-evaluate everything you think you know. Red-pill yourself!

        Comment


        • #5
          Site member.

          Comment


          • #6
            $166 on Autozone.com


            Http://www.Youtube.com/TheresGabe

            1991 Festiva L Red: Daily Driver
            1990 Festiva L White: R.I.P.
            1988 Festiva L Silver: R.I.P.
            1991 Festiva L Red B6T: R.I.P.
            1989 Festiva L White: R.I.P.
            1995 Aspire 2-door White: R.I.P.
            1995 Aspire 4-door Red: R.I.P.

            Comment


            • #7
              Wow do I feel dumb!

              Originally posted by TominMO View Post
              Check Rockauto.com. Lots cheaper. Mostly remans, but the disty body doesn't wear out; they replace the stuff that does.
              I've seen this source referenced often here; and checking their prices I sure feel dumb now, I'd not looked to see what was offered.

              I've known these sort of price differences to be the rule rather than not in the past, so mainly think I've gotten rusty out of the far greater reliability of the Festiva which is only now entering the realms of major minor maintenance I need to be on my toes with.

              The whole entropy feels like one wherein a person is committed to a type of on-going war, to end up paying a reasonable price.

              I couldn't believe the bill I got getting a local place to change the water pump; who tagged on an extra amount to what I'd of paid NAPA getting them the part myself as I did with other things, not imagining there was any surcharge or I'd of gotten them the water pump too.

              Easy to imagine the shop's point of view, since they are in business to make money; I guess, though why not be more user friendly? Simply my naivete; where as they say in Latin I know only in English "let the buyer beware." I'm always suspicious of religious people, since "prey" and "pray" sound exactly the same.
              '91 Festiva L/'73 Windsor Carrera Sport custom

              (aka "Jazz Bobstad," "The BobWhan," etc.)

              Art is the means whereby(a) society advances: Religion is the definition of the parameters of art. Poetry is the actualization of these...

              Comment


              • #8
                Shops will give an exact estimate if the job does not need diagnosed. If
                you want to supply your own parts be absolutely sure you provide the correct
                part to avoid more charges. Also, each bay and each mechanic have profit
                margins they have to exceed to keep the overhead where it belongs and to
                feed the mechanics family. They may adjust the bill some to accomplish this
                if you provide the parts and warranty.

                Back to O'reilys...they are out of line with their price, BUT they will price match.
                They have limits, but I would definitely show them AZ's price and cost plus
                shipping from the net. They should adjust. If they whine about time since you bought
                the part how long ago?, ask for a voucher toward more parts. Just remember to
                price match them before you buy them with the voucher.
                the difference
                Reflex paint by Langeman...Lifted...Tow Rig

                Comment


                • #9
                  Numerous alternative purchase methods exist. Folks with $500 cars are generally loathe to buy expensive (read; new) parts. One, they easily outlive the car and Two, they rarely influence the resale value.
                  After diagnosing a bad dizzie during the spring (lucky I had a spare at the time) I picked up another used one through this site for $25 plus shipping.

                  Whenever I tour u-pull sites, or come across parts cars I have a look for rare or valuable, but nickle and dime-priced, goods. Complete fluke I stumbled on to a dead MX3 with a nearly new dizzie in it back in June, and after consulting Festiva.com members about B3 compatibility, grabbed it. There is no point in gloating over the $10 I paid for this thing unless it ever gets used but at least you don't feel like you've been held for ransom if and when the time comes that you have to have one. Plus somebody else here would likely be happy to buy it should I be cleaning the garage someday.

                  From other posts of yours I sense that your living arrangements preclude your having access to storage space for extensive tools, hoarding parts or even harbouring a parts car. When you get into the game (that's what I call it) of trying to keep old but fun cars alive as DDs you have to get quite inventive in order to keep the expenses down. You've obviously been learning quite a bit about the 'do it yourself repairs' thing already. It's often frustrating and yet satisfying at the same time.
                  For sure Festy owners cannot be accused of being conspicuous consumers or environmental laggards.

                  Sheesh. Is this enough of a long-winded response?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    "caveat emptor"

                    Any difference that makes no difference is no difference.

                    Old Blue- New Tricks
                    91 Festiva FSM PDF - Dropbox

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Estas loco hombre... o borracho, pero no se...


                      Http://www.Youtube.com/TheresGabe

                      1991 Festiva L Red: Daily Driver
                      1990 Festiva L White: R.I.P.
                      1988 Festiva L Silver: R.I.P.
                      1991 Festiva L Red B6T: R.I.P.
                      1989 Festiva L White: R.I.P.
                      1995 Aspire 2-door White: R.I.P.
                      1995 Aspire 4-door Red: R.I.P.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I suppose it is too late, but it sounds like all that was needed was the mounting seal in the dizzy. Now a complete new one.

                        It is probably too late to suggest that I have a known good one I would be willing to ship you if you can get your $400 back....
                        Contact me for information about Festiva Madness!
                        Remember, FestYboy is inflatable , and Scitzz means crazy, YO!
                        "Like I'm going to suggest we do the job right." ~Fecomatter May 28 2016.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          That would be if not quite typical; surely ballpark!

                          Originally posted by scitzz View Post
                          I suppose it is too late, but it sounds like all that was needed was the mounting seal in the dizzy. Now a complete new one.

                          It is probably too late to suggest that I have a known good one I would be willing to ship you if you can get your $400 back....
                          I appreciate this as nothing I'd thought of, though with the o-ring cracked and falling apart when removed from the old distributor; certainly feasible EXCEPT for the fact of the rotor seeming to be hitting the contacts in the cap irregularly enough to show obvious lack of proper centering. That immediately decided me, on replacing the distributor.

                          I always read Bert's suggestions about haunting wrecking yards wistfully, as well as other means of economy; since frequently recalling my habits of old, now too often abandoned...an old dog could remember prior tricks better-before getting too worked up about learning new ones!

                          More than wistfully actually, because of obesity only climbing to unmanageable realms the past year; long held at bay or even avoided for decades, since juvenile spinal disease determined me to be an incredibly fat & out of condition seventeen year-old. Definitely beyond The Michelin Man, more like The Goodyear blimp!

                          I was at a Pick-A-Part yard August 28th, to get a '94 Aspire front sway bar; and nearly had to abandon that once I'd taken off all the nuts and front brackets, since unable at first to pull the two ends out of the bottom brackets. Luckily I found using my feet against the bottom brackets worked, while pulling on the sway bar; though an acrobatic feat I'd almost been unable to accomplish, not to mention getting all sweaty at something no work out at all, only a couple years ago. YUCK.
                          '91 Festiva L/'73 Windsor Carrera Sport custom

                          (aka "Jazz Bobstad," "The BobWhan," etc.)

                          Art is the means whereby(a) society advances: Religion is the definition of the parameters of art. Poetry is the actualization of these...

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Definitely remember there is a for sale wanted thread here! Most of us cut members a good price!
                            Contact me for information about Festiva Madness!
                            Remember, FestYboy is inflatable , and Scitzz means crazy, YO!
                            "Like I'm going to suggest we do the job right." ~Fecomatter May 28 2016.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Bert View Post
                              Numerous alternative purchase methods exist. Folks with $500 cars are generally loathe to buy expensive (read; new) parts. One, they easily outlive the car and Two, they rarely influence the resale value.
                              After diagnosing a bad dizzie during the spring (lucky I had a spare at the time) I picked up another used one through this site for $25 plus shipping.

                              Whenever I tour u-pull sites, or come across parts cars I have a look for rare or valuable, but nickle and dime-priced, goods. Complete fluke I stumbled on to a dead MX3 with a nearly new dizzie in it back in June, and after consulting Festiva.com members about B3 compatibility, grabbed it. There is no point in gloating over the $10 I paid for this thing unless it ever gets used but at least you don't feel like you've been held for ransom if and when the time comes that you have to have one. Plus somebody else here would likely be happy to buy it should I be cleaning the garage someday.

                              From other posts of yours I sense that your living arrangements preclude your having access to storage space for extensive tools, hoarding parts or even harbouring a parts car. When you get into the game (that's what I call it) of trying to keep old but fun cars alive as DDs you have to get quite inventive in order to keep the expenses down. You've obviously been learning quite a bit about the 'do it yourself repairs' thing already. It's often frustrating and yet satisfying at the same time.
                              For sure Festy owners cannot be accused of being conspicuous consumers or environmental laggards.

                              Sheesh. Is this enough of a long-winded response?
                              Well written, articulate and of my heart; too.

                              I think I'm feeling the general climate of the times; where space considerations are quite different from my youth or even younger middle age. For instance; I saw recently the city of San Francisco has approved zoning for building apartment buildings with individual units-200 square feet in size. That's about the same as this smallish one bedroom apartment's back bedroom and the bathroom.

                              Such a way of life must demand a far different type of society; with far greater use of communal spaces; greatly independent of a person's living space. In that regard; a Frisco place I read of though have never seen-offers rentable bays where a person can work on their own cars-with many of the larger type tools; as well as expert advice on site-both provided.

                              On-street parking in San Fran is also locally stylized-I guess is the way that could be said. Once a week at the exact same time-varying from neighborhood to neighborhood any of the seven days or actually fourteen half-days of the week; for half a day all cars have to be removed from the street so city street-sweeping machinery can clean the streets right up to the curb along the sidewalk.

                              If you know when this is scheduled; a great way to find a parking spot for some event later in the day. People who live in such areas whose own schedules are cockeyed enough; must go berserk-trying to keep their cars at all. I'd guess many people find renting a small storage unit; a handy way to accommodate "messy arts" interests. I own everything short of an engine hoist necessary to work on my car; outside of transmission work: While similarly equipped to deal with my ten-speed bike; which is a lot less tools. Not a bad fundamental set of carpentry stuff too.

                              So; if in that 200 square foot place in Frisco-I've enough space for a cot to sleep on; while trying to imagine going even more vertical than I already am-I've been getting pretty sophisticated about already. Probably ditching a bunch of books and/or much of the collection of vhs/dvd Hollywood style movies; is one of the first places I could alleviate much of my load-and not miss too much of what is gone.

                              The conga drums; well-that's a given too; darn. Plus; what about the poor old Fender Rhodes electric piano? Obviously there is a need for a communal music/band space-I'd have access to; since even as is-my noise drives many people nuts. Which is really hard; since I'm no longer any fan of 4/4 time-yet with my stupid need to adequately master even that.
                              Last edited by bobstad; 02-03-2013, 08:21 PM.
                              '91 Festiva L/'73 Windsor Carrera Sport custom

                              (aka "Jazz Bobstad," "The BobWhan," etc.)

                              Art is the means whereby(a) society advances: Religion is the definition of the parameters of art. Poetry is the actualization of these...

                              Comment

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