Head Questions!!

[robbylockisme]

So, I found out my head is cracked. Yay. I found an Aspire with an 80K engine in a junkyard. Can I take the head off it, swap in the internals from my 88 carby, and pop it in my Festiva?

[drddan]

Just use the Aspire head. It will work on the Festy block. The blocks are the same. IMO, the Aspire head is a better head, as it has roller rockers, which the Festy does not

Get the Aspire valve cover too. The head and VC have a different shape where the VC mounts to head.
Order Aspire VC gasket for the VC.

I found that out when I put an Aspire engine in my 92. I had ordered a Festy gasket...and well, it didn't fit! lol
Took the gasket back, got an Aspire gasket and then it was all good!

[robbylockisme]

But isn't the camshaft different on the aspire head?

[Movin]

You said you were going to swap the internals ?

[robbylockisme]

Keep the head and swap the camshaft. Is that possible?

[zoe60]

Yes, but use the rocker arms too because the rollers don't do right with an '88 cam. I did the same thing on my '89 years ago. it worked fine.

[robbylockisme]

That's what I was wanting to know!! Thank you!!

So, the block and head will work if I switch that stuff out! Got it!!

[drddan]

But isn't the camshaft different on the aspire head?

Yes! That is what I said in my post. Use the WHOLE Aspire head. The Aspire cam is in the Aspire head, with the Aspire roller rockers, all contained in one unit. It all works. Unbolt Aspire head, bolt on the Festy engine. All the differences are in the head itself. The Aspire head will bolt and function perfectly on the Festy block. Roller rockers are way better than non roller. Probably better mpg and maybe, a 1/2 pound of power too! lol

An engine in an Aspire IS a Festiva block with an Aspire head. :mrgreen:

What I am saying is why swap internals? The Aspire is better, but both ways will work

[robbylockisme]

Yes! That is what I said in my post. Use the WHOLE Aspire head. The Aspire cam is in the Aspire head, with the Aspire roller rockers, all contained in one unit. It all works. Unbolt Aspire head, bolt on the Festy engine. All the differences are in the head itself. The Aspire head will bolt and function perfectly on the Festy block. Roller rockers are way better than non roller. Probably better mpg and maybe, a 1/2 pound of power too! lol

An engine in an Aspire IS a Festiva block with an Aspire head. :mrgreen:

What I am saying is why swap internals? The Aspire is better, but both ways will work

I just didn't know if the Aspire Head's Camshaft (EFI) would work with my car's carb setup. I just wanted that confirmed! Lol

[twopass]

Look if the aspire cam has fuel pump lobe tho.If no then you have 2 choices festy cam and lifters /rockers ,or electric fuel pump inline.

[TominMO]

I believe the Aspire cam does not have the fuel pump lobe. If so, you would have to proceed as originally planned--use the Festy cam and rockers in the Aspire head, to retain the fuel pump lobe.

[tooldude]

There is no fuel pump mounting boss for a mechanical pump on a fuel injected head. You will have to set up an electric fuel pump.

[zoe60]

There is no fuel pump mounting boss for a mechanical pump on a fuel injected head. You will have to set up an electric fuel pump.

Yes there is on an Aspire head. Just take off the plate and bolt on the pump. It really is almost the exact same head as a Festy one, but the cam won't run a mechanical pump. Plan "A" will work fine! Even the 1st gen B6's have the same plate.

[tooldude]

I'm glad to find that out as I'll need a new head later on. That's unexpected- unique in the automotive world?