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Hi everyone! I would like to thank this site for all of the times I've had to research a topic and found the answer!
I would also like to thank all of those who I've spoken with about my Festiva. As most of you know, I've given up and tried to sell it several times over. And each time someone would contact me about it, they would end up talking me into keeping it.
So, little by little, I've plucked away at it. And special thanks to my friend Gravelcrawler who came over during an arctic freeze in NC to help me yank out the transmission!
Some of this journey has been the blind leading the blind. So many times I thought I was in over my head and just kept plucking away it with his help.
So here it is, less than a month before Festiva Madness 3 and I am determined to have my Aspire AND Festiva there this year!
This is how it looked when I first got it.
There was a skull gear shifter and hood ornament.
Then I found the gear shift surround and thought I had scored big time! And during the installation, I set it on top of the heat pump.... well you know what happened. It kicked on and shot it up into the air! Dang thing shattered when it hit the sidewalk! I was so mad, I installed it anyway.
So the first thing I did was change out the hood that I got at FM2. The original had several rust holes in it.
Then gravelcrawler came over and helped me swap out the transmission and put in a new clutch!
And I never want to do a transmission swap again! Ever. LOL
The car had some usual issues. Faded paint on the roof, rust around the tire well... and a few extra dings here and there.
Driver's side
Passenger side
And this is what I had in the end. After the trans/clutch replacement, I had some more issues to deal with.
For one, I didn't realize that I had forgot to reinstall the nuts and washers on the rear support of the transmission. So, when we reconnected the speedo cable and let the car down off the jacks, the speedo wasn't working. Neither was the temp gauge.
Again, I came here looking for answers....
Since the transmission pulled on the speedo cable, it actually pulled itself apart at the clamp near the bolt that holds it to the transmission. (follow that?) I finally fixed that today! Now the speedo is working again!
As for the temp gauge, well, I broke that sensor when I was working on the transmission. That repair is pending.
While I had the speedo cluster out (definitely followed the tips for removing the cluster) I also replaced a blow bulb that shines over the cluster.
Well, I was on a roll. I didn't want to stop. I want this car to make it to FM3 and beyond that... I want this car on the road!
So, I've done some painting. I took care of that faded out roof.
I also tried some bondo for the first time!
I also removed both fenders and knocked out those two big dents.
And since the interior rear panels were in pretty bad (scratched all to heck) condition, I decided to paint them!
I also reglued the trim peices onto both doors.
I still have some work to do before it's ready... but I feel so accomplished! If everything goes through, I will also be installing a funtop! But this may not happen before FM3. LOL
I would also like to thank all of those who I've spoken with about my Festiva. As most of you know, I've given up and tried to sell it several times over. And each time someone would contact me about it, they would end up talking me into keeping it.
So, little by little, I've plucked away at it. And special thanks to my friend Gravelcrawler who came over during an arctic freeze in NC to help me yank out the transmission!
Some of this journey has been the blind leading the blind. So many times I thought I was in over my head and just kept plucking away it with his help.
So here it is, less than a month before Festiva Madness 3 and I am determined to have my Aspire AND Festiva there this year!
This is how it looked when I first got it.
There was a skull gear shifter and hood ornament.
Then I found the gear shift surround and thought I had scored big time! And during the installation, I set it on top of the heat pump.... well you know what happened. It kicked on and shot it up into the air! Dang thing shattered when it hit the sidewalk! I was so mad, I installed it anyway.
So the first thing I did was change out the hood that I got at FM2. The original had several rust holes in it.
Then gravelcrawler came over and helped me swap out the transmission and put in a new clutch!
And I never want to do a transmission swap again! Ever. LOL
The car had some usual issues. Faded paint on the roof, rust around the tire well... and a few extra dings here and there.
Driver's side
Passenger side
And this is what I had in the end. After the trans/clutch replacement, I had some more issues to deal with.
For one, I didn't realize that I had forgot to reinstall the nuts and washers on the rear support of the transmission. So, when we reconnected the speedo cable and let the car down off the jacks, the speedo wasn't working. Neither was the temp gauge.
Again, I came here looking for answers....
Since the transmission pulled on the speedo cable, it actually pulled itself apart at the clamp near the bolt that holds it to the transmission. (follow that?) I finally fixed that today! Now the speedo is working again!
As for the temp gauge, well, I broke that sensor when I was working on the transmission. That repair is pending.
While I had the speedo cluster out (definitely followed the tips for removing the cluster) I also replaced a blow bulb that shines over the cluster.
Well, I was on a roll. I didn't want to stop. I want this car to make it to FM3 and beyond that... I want this car on the road!
So, I've done some painting. I took care of that faded out roof.
I also tried some bondo for the first time!
I also removed both fenders and knocked out those two big dents.
And since the interior rear panels were in pretty bad (scratched all to heck) condition, I decided to paint them!
I also reglued the trim peices onto both doors.
I still have some work to do before it's ready... but I feel so accomplished! If everything goes through, I will also be installing a funtop! But this may not happen before FM3. LOL
2009 Festiva Madness link with pictures. 51 Festivas & 4 Aspires from eight states attended.
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