Freshtiva

[freshtiva]

Being a new member Id like to introduce "freshtiva".I bought this car shortly after it was manufactured in Oct 1993. Best car Ive ever owned. Have taken a lot of flack about it like, " I see you brought your own golf cart to the course" or, " how many clowns can you fit in that car", etc. So to spite them all I keep driving it. At 175,000 it was still running fine but I decided to freshen it up so I could spite my critics even longer. So I did the following to it. Replaced timing belt, replaced water pump, flushed out cooling system, replaced valve cover casket, replaced alt belt, ac belt, put in new halfshafts, replaced distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires, air filter, pcv valve, drained trans-axle fluid and replaced. Then I replace control arms and ball joints, replaced tie rod ends, replaced all eight wheel bearing ( inner and outer, front and back) and all eight oil seals, replaced struts all around. Then I degreased engine ( from bad valve cover gasket) , got four wheel alignment, four new tires, waxed it , shampoo carpet and bought some new floor mats. About $1500 total with me doing the work. Freshtiva is born. Runs and drives like new, no rattles, shimmies, nothing, drives like a dream, I love it. Body is perfect as I always protected it from other drivers and the elements. Ive never added a quart of oil between oil changes, and plugs are always clean when I change them. Should be able to spite critics for many years to come. Many of the parts I replaced didn't look to bad, with the exception of the front wheel bearings and the struts. This car has paid be back several times the original purchase price. When gas prices go to $3.00/ gal. again Ill be ready! Pictures at

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2268302/1

[Guest]

welcome to ff.com

[packrat427]

Sounds like a very nice car ,
Welcome to the board

[FB71]

welcome, and it looks great! same thing I'm currently doing to Uncle Fester

[freshtiva]

frestiva

Thanks for the positiva feedback( FB71 and packrat ), been waiting for some buddies to come by and appreciate my effort. I sure am proud of the results.

[packrat427]

I would be proud too , it should be like a new car and last a very very long time

[mattswabb]

looks real nice and clean.

[freshtiva]

Thanks

Thanks mattswabb, I think your blue festiva is one of the best mods Ive seen, I like that the exterior looks tame. What a sleeper!" Exxxcellant" (Montgomery Burns, Simpsons).

[David88]

looks great! What kind of fluid did you put back in the transaxle?
Dave

[freshtiva]

transaxle fluid

Thanks Dave, the service manual says to use the same fluid for both auto and manual transmissions (Motorcraft MERCON XT-2- QDX.) 2.2 quarts for manual and 4.7 quarts for auto. Im not a mech. so please dont go on what I say. Seems like I wondered about this too. The dipstick for the fuild level has like a milimeter difference between add and full. then it warns not to overfill. By the time you pull the dipstick out of the transaxle its hard to tell the true level. I let mine drain over night while warm and then added exactly 2.2 quarts. If you find ive errored please let me know!!

[Fastiva55]

Looks Great! and WOW its clean, its always nice to see a Festiva in that great of shape. Great job and welcome!

Mike

[Anonymous]

Wow clean car for this area. Get down to KC much?

[freshtiva]

Fastiva

Thanks Mikes, looks like you've turned a few wrenches yourself. Fastiva looks awesome! Way above my head, and patience level. I created a few new four letters words just doing my meager repairs. Alot of times it was because I was trying to say several well known four letter words all at the same time.

[eye_of_ra93]

Again great ride, welcome.