Changing engine in Festiva, need advice

[5.0zone]

First thing to do is label EVERYTHING !

Get a roll of masking tape and a Sharpy marker, label every connector and hose.
Label both parts, if its an electrical plug, label both plugs.
If its a hose, label the end of the hose and the part you pull it from.
I used numbers on the hoses and letters for the electrical stuff.
Then when you put it all back together all you have to do is match up the numbers.

It will take you a while (30 mins or more) to do them all but it will save you that much time and headache when you are putting it all back together.

When I have taken my engine out, I pulled the trans too. I don't see how you get it out without doing that.
I also dropped mine out the bottom.

[Guest]

I've swapped b3-b3 with the trans in and b3-b6 with the trans in.. I've actually pull and installed my B6 twice in a weekend because of clutch issues.. never pulled the trans..

[DuritzCrows17]

much easier to just pull the engine and transmission together and rebolt them outside of the engine bay but that is coming from my experiences good luck with what you chose to do.

[number1_kid]

ya talked to local mecanics
says will save headachs if I take it all out

switch them on the floor then reput in

thanks guys any help I get on here is appreciated
pissed me off got festive 3 months ago

did not burn one tank of gas yet

always breaking down

now all is new
but engine is blown

[mattswabb]

What kind of local mechanics did you talk to? Ones that have never pulled a festiva engine I assume. Leave the engine in. I would never pull the the trans, no reason to. Why go thru the hassle of the half shafts. But if you do pull the trans (why would you?) make sure to leave a half shaft in or a plug so the spider gears don't drop or you also get to learn how to rebuild a tranny.

[number1_kid]

well guys
I am confused
Some say take trans out and some say dont

ok..............

[darkdan]

I didn't take the trans out.

I thought I had ground the right place so it wouldn't catch. NOPE! I was wrong.

So I had to pull the axle, bend that thing back into place. Put it all back together. Refill the transmission. Guess what.....I ruined the axle seal somehow. Nice leak.

So I had to repull the axle, replace the seal, etc.

If I had just undone a few more things I could have saved a lot of work.

[Guest]

^^^didn't mark it before hand huh?

You could be here for no good reason..

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8266

[mattswabb]

well guys
I am confused
Some say take trans out and some say dont

ok..............

No reason to be confused. Leave the trans in. Why add more work? To pull the trans you now have to remove the lower ball joints to remove the half shafts, shift linkages, clutch cable, front/rear mounts, more wiring.

Or you unbolt the engine, move it to the left and pull up. That's the abridged version.

[5.0zone]

Well if Matt and DJ say it can be done without pulling the trans then it can be done.
When I pulled mine the first time (eleven years ago) I didn't think there was room for it to clear the frame rail, I guess there is.
Not pulling the trans should save you at least two hours.

Don't forget LABEL LABEL LABEL !!!