Another good day at the wreckers.

[monkeyracing]

Alright, I did'nt have as much luck as Ian, but I did good anyway. I found a center console in an automatic, and made a nice discovery. If you pull the shifter boot out of a manual 323, it matches the hole in the auto console perfectly. It will require epoxy or something to hold it in place, but it fits nicely.

Found a complete set of locks for the car, with the key. Have to go back on Sunday to pull the ignition switch though.

Found a cargo area light in an Escort. Clips right in.

I also found a bunch of different gas struts to work out a fit for the hood. I bought a couple of the VW Rabbit ones yesterday, but they don't fit. The ends are flat flanges, rather than ball and socket joints, so they're a no go.

Jim

[25Horseplay]

You found some good buys! The yards around me very seldom even have Festiva's.

[fastivaca]

Hey Jim,

That's what I used in my console too. I grabbed the retaining ring that went with it and it sort of lined up in one spot but I had to make up a bracket for the front side.

As for the hood struts, I seem to recall that someone used a single strut from a Mazda 929. Check out this link http://www.fordfestiva.com/gallery/image32.htm I like his carb set up too

Cheers

[monkeyracing]

I think the ones I pulled from a 93 323 will work out. They're about the right length, and have a bracket/pivot on one end, and a ball and socket on the other. The ball and socket will require that I drill and tap a hole in the hood hinge. The bracket will be bolted to the inner surface of the fender.

It's a little funny about the ball and socket setup you got from concept1. It's just not a stock VW piece, as far as I can tell. The VWs in the yard used the flat flanged thing like I got, and had brackets welded into the body to accept them. Weird.

No biggie in any case. I got to spend an afternoon at the wreckers, scrounged some parts, and get to use my brain to figure out how to make them work. Good stuff.

[DuritzCrows17]

I love going to junkyards and just looking around for some reason.

[festivaWES]

Yeah....sounds like the same thing i do on the wekends...

[monkeyracing]

I'd rather walk around PnP than a park. It's both relaxing and productive.

[htchbck]

I agree, PnPs are the place to go on the weekends. I even got my GF to go with me once!

[DuritzCrows17]

It can be both fun and depressing though, It makes me sad when I see escort gt's, taurus sho's, festiva's, spectrums, impulses and other cool 80's and 90's cars getting crushed, you immediatley realize thats one less on this planet. Kinda sucks, specially sense all the new cars are so dumb looking and they all look the same.

[monkeyracing]

Got finished up today...it was a total pig, but I got the lock cylinder bolts drilled out, and I now have a complete set of matching locks for the car. Very nice. Figured out the wiring for the hatch area light. I think I have the hatch strut thing figured out as well.

All in all, it was a good weekend.

[miami man]

yes i had a good weekend also. took a 12pk of bud light to the junkyard and walked out with about $50.00 in parts for the 12pk that cost $10.00

[DuritzCrows17]

yes i had a good weekend also. took a 12pk of bud light to the junkyard and walked out with about $50.00 in parts for the 12pk that cost $10.00

did you trade the beer with the junk yard for parts? lol sweet if you did, something I will be trying.

[miami man]

oh yes know the people for years try ciggeretts, fruit , bottled water or even ice in the summer. they appeciate it when they get things but do not expect a motor or transmission for it but the small items add up. they even let me use the torches when needed.

[elcamino1]

Yeah get to know the people in your local junkyard,at mine when they get a festiva in they call me, and before they crush one they ask me if theres any thing else good left.

[miami man]

yes the local owned and operated ones are better because they do not have all the rules like at the pick and pull. also to make extra money i hunt for other people looking for parts and with a dicount it is the best second job i ever had example someone needed dodge neon parts after they have had an accident. front bumper cover bought for 39.00 marked up to 140.00 because same collor as the old one and not needing painting. headlight and bracket 45.00 traded for 12 pk of beer. total profit for about one hour of work. $135.00 or 150% intrest on the money invested in one week.