Introduction and questions...

[Smoker]

So you have power to the positive side of the coil with the key in run?

On fuel injected Festivas, the ignition module is grounded near the coolant temperature sensor.

Yes, 12v at the coil with key on. This is a carbed car.

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[Smoker]

I started this thread about this specific problem.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffordfestiva%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D62203&share_tid=62203&share_fid=52837&share_type=t

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[bravekozak]

Did the mechanic test or replace the ignition module inside your distributor?
That blue wire coming out of the distributor goes to the barometric pressure transducer under the driver's dash.
The computer will automatically advance the timing when you drive into the Rocky Mountains.

You may find this pdf useful.

[hot4dl8ly]

Congratulations is right. Looks like a nice one for $400. You are going to love it - Once you get her running of course.

[Smoker]

Anyone have any insight here as far as my no spark issue? I need to get this car up and running!

I have 12v at the coil with key on. Distributor, cap, rotor, wires, and plugs are all new. My problem almost has to be the distributor itself... right?!

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[Smoker]

Good news and good news.

The good news is, Nate was kind enough to loan me a distributor to see if the 'new' disty the previous owner I stalled was bad. Indeed, it was.
The other good news is these struts are completely shot... which is a great excuse to upgrade!



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[Studebaker]

Told you they were easy to fix. How much is a rebuild dist these days?

You need to upgrade to Aspire brakes when it is time for a brake job. Start looking for a doner car

[ryanprins13]

Good news and good news.

The good news is, Nate was kind enough to loan me a distributor to see if the 'new' disty the previous owner I stalled was bad. Indeed, it was.
The other good news is these struts are completely shot... which is a great excuse to upgrade!



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Great that you got it running! What are your plans for a suspension upgrade?
Aspire brakes are easy to put in but arent any braking benefit unless you swap the booster which is a bit of work. They also change your bolt pattern to 4x100 from 4x113.


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[Smoker]

Great that you got it running! What are your plans for a suspension upgrade?
Aspire brakes are easy to put in but arent any braking benefit unless you swap the booster which is a bit of work. They also change your bolt pattern to 4x100 from 4x113.


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Planning on doing the 'ultimate' suspension that everyone raves about. Not sure yet what I'll do about brakes... I don't really see a reason to upgrade at this point, unless parts are cheaper/easier to find.

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[Studebaker]

Sorry to disagree. Aspire brakes are much better than stock with the Festiva booster and mc. Will the Aspire booster and mc will make it better? I don't know. But I have done two cars just upgrading the brakes and they are much better.

[Studebaker]

Yes parts are cheaper/easier to find. And once you drive the car a little you will see how weak the stock brakes are.

[ryanprins13]

Planning on doing the 'ultimate' suspension that everyone raves about. Not sure yet what I'll do about brakes... I don't really see a reason to upgrade at this point, unless parts are cheaper/easier to find.

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Sweet! Its easier to find rims in 4×100, thats about it. Also with the aspire brakes you can change the rotor like a normal car. On the festiva the rotors are pressed on so its a pain to change.

Sorry to disagree. Aspire brakes are much better than stock with the Festiva booster and mc. Will the Aspire booster and mc will make it better? I don't know. But I have done two cars just upgrading the brakes and they are much better.

I went from festiva to aspire brakes last year. Not much difference in my opinion. Many people dont maintain festiva brakes properly, old brake fluid, glazed pads, warped rotors and sticking sliders. If the sliders pins are corroded up the festiva is not going to stop well. Going from bad festy brakes to good aspire ones will be a big difference. Good festy brakes to good aspire ones without the booster and mc not so much. I have driven an aspire swapped car with the booster and mc and the brakes were amazing!
Stock festiva brakes will stop you very quickly, they arent weak if their working. Aspire brakes are better for heat buildup if your racing or towing though.


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[Smoker]

What about racing WHILE towing?

But seriously, I do plan on doing some towing. And eventually I think I'd like to do the complete swap, booster and all.

I love the fact that there seem to be tons of quality upgrades for these cars via stock parts from other cars.

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[ryanprins13]

What about racing WHILE towing?

But seriously, I do plan on doing some towing. And eventually I think I'd like to do the complete swap, booster and all.

I love the fact that there seem to be tons of quality upgrades for these cars via stock parts from other cars.

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Lol, festivas are great for towing. I havent been great for posting but we just got back from a cross country trip. 4 of us in the car pulling a 1950 pound camping trailer 29,000km. Anyway, loads of stock parts off other cars which is awesome. There are like 8 or 12 common engine swaps, minimum 2 other transmissions swaps, 3 brake swaps if im not mistaken, loads of seat swaps and on and on...
I asked for others opinions about stock brakes in a different chat. General consensus is their more than enough for daily driving but cant take the heat from racing. One guy said stock brakes can lock up r888's at 70mph.
Anyhow, later on you can ask around about what people do with brakes. You can get aspire manual trans brakes, aspire auto trans (thicker), xr2 brakes which are bigger yet iirc, and i believe kia rio brakes but im not sure. Then more options for booster and master cylinder combos. Charlie whitney built a car called pedro and i got to drive it. If i wanted the most amazing brakes i would copy exactly what he had. Barely touching the brake pedal just about sends you through the window, its incredible.
Anyway, here is the trailer we went coast to coast and back with. Just to assure you that towing with the stock motor is quite possible the last photo is someone else towing a miata-2700 pounds with the trailer-using the stock 1.3L motor. Its also a good example of racing while towing... lol



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[Smoker]

^ very cool. I did see your thread, and I love outside-the-box thinking. I've done quite a few things that people thought were nuts... it's kind of a badge of honor for me. Last June I rode my bicycle 303 miles in 23hrs 47mins. The goal was 300/24.

Anywhooooo

Last night after I got it running, I put about 30 test miles on it. The right front strut is completely seized up, or close to it. A little flex in the mount, and some in the tire, but I think that might be it. I'm also hearing slight bearing noise, I think from the same corner. So I'm gonna load up a triumph 955i motor that I sold on ebay, and leave for a 1,150 mile round trip delivery straight from work tomorrow. Hopefully be home in time to watch OSU-PSU Saturday night!! Wish me luck...