Rosie - My 1992 Gl Automatic 2016 Project

[FestYboy]

Notice the wear pattern on the teeth... That's not normal.

[1990new]

The light in that photo is deceiving. When you look at the two pinion gears side by side they look pretty much the same
except that the original one from Rosie that was hung up is very shiny.. there is just a little more wear in the one from Rosie. The rest of the gear is definitely not normal though..the inner diameter of the one from Rosie is definitely bigger.

[bravekozak]

How to shim a starter.

[1990new]

How to shim a starter.

I've never used any kind of shims with a Festiva starter. Why would they be necessary?
Do you think the pinion gear is too close to the flex plate in Rosie?
I'm getting a rebuilt starter from Autozone at 11:00 tomorrow and putting it in and we will see what happens.
I'm also getting to be an expert at changing starters in an automatic Festiva.

[sc72]

Do a write up on this subject, I know it is not an easy thing to do, any tricks or short cuts would be good to know.

[FestYboy]

Do not shim the starter.

[1990new]

I just leaned a hard lesson:
http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...not-Retracting

Do a write up on this subject, I know it is not an easy thing to do, any tricks or short cuts would be good to know.

Here's a trick: Do be stupid like me and put your flexplate on backwards.

[1990new]

Yesterday I removed the transmission and flexplate, put the flexplate back on the crankshaft the correct way.
Today I put the transmission back in and started her up. At first she sounded great, no more sticking starter.
After she warmed up I discovered 3 things:
Either my radiator cap is bad or there is a leak where the overflow hose connects (this is a new radiator).
A clatter noise started.. hard to describe and I'm not sure where it's coming from, but I suspect it may be
a problem with the torque converter. Transmission fluid is leaking at the bottom of the bell housing so I many not have gotten the torque converted seated correctly. Not that I thing about it, when I put the flexplate on backwards the torque converter would have been press further back into the transmission, then when I reversed it, it would have been pulled back out. I'll bet I destroyed the seal by doing this.
Still have to connect the axles and sway bar. I'll do that tomorrow and see it the transmission works.
I'm getting tired of removing and replacing automatic transmissions. I believe Rosie is ready to become a 5 speed.

Looks like this project may last the entire year.

[bravekozak]

I only worked on one auto transmission vehicle in my life. It was on my friends driveway. You would not believe the look on his face when all of the fluid ended up on his driveway after we pulled it.

[sc72]

Default



I just leaned a hard lesson:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...not-Retracting

Quote Originally Posted by sc72 View Post

Do a write up on this subject, I know it is not an easy thing to do, any tricks or short cuts would be good to know.
Here's a trick: Do be stupid like me and put your flexplate on backwards

1990new, I have done the same thing, got in a hurry and well oops time to start over.

Your doing a great job, keep up the good work and if it takes all summer, well you will have one of the best Festivas around.

[fastivaca]

I only worked on one auto transmission vehicle in my life. It was on my friends driveway. You would not believe the look on his face when all of the fluid ended up on his driveway after we pulled it.

I did that too. 64 Galaxie with an FMX automatic. I didn't know at the time that you were supposed to leave the torque converter attached to the transmission. Needless to say my dad was pleased as we watched the bright red river of transmission fluid run down he driveway to the curb.

[1990new]

Default



I just leaned a hard lesson:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...not-Retracting

Quote Originally Posted by sc72 View Post

Do a write up on this subject, I know it is not an easy thing to do, any tricks or short cuts would be good to know.
Here's a trick: Do be stupid like me and put your flexplate on backwards

1990new, I have done the same thing, got in a hurry and well oops time to start over.

Your doing a great job, keep up the good work and if it takes all summer, well you will have one of the best Festivas around.

Not sure why the link to the Starter issue didn't work .. maybe this one will:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...not-Retracting


Still have not pin pointed the clatter noise, It doesn't start until the engine gets warm and then after it runs a while it will go away. I drove Rosie over to Robs and he suggest that it might be a valve lifter issue.
This evening I drove Rosie to Autozone (about 6 miles round trip) to take the old starter to get my core charge and when I got back the noise had stopped completely. I guess it could have been a valve lifter after all.

Transmission is still leaking fluid and the up shifting did not improve with the new vacuum modulator.
I'm in no hurry to remove that transmission again so I figure by November I will have accumulated all the parts I need to convert her to a 5 speed, the major one being a good 5 speed transmission at a reasonable price.

That new shortblock engine is running great.. no smoke and she sound like a new engine.

Still have to get a dome light but that under dash courtesy light is working great.
That mod is really pretty easy and it sure makes a difference at night.

[1990new]

Still have to polish and wax the front bumper and grille but I took some pictures of Rosie and uploaded them to the photobucket project thread today.
http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/19...osie%20Project
Rosie has come a long way from were she was back in December when I paid Sam $400 for her. But I cant call this project finished until I get a good transmission in her and also the AC reinstalled. Sam came by Sunday and offered to buy her back for $3500 but I had to decline, I have already promised her to my grandson.

[sketchman]

Wow! That looks awesome!

[sc72]

Wow you have done a great job, I remember when you were trying to help Sam sell that car, what a transformation.