Had a Vega once. Had to put in a new clutch and radiator before I could drive it out West and back. It developed a cracked head. Leaked oil out the crack. I found the crack and patched it with furnace cement. The patches didn't last though. So, my dad and bro saved their used oil and I kept it topped off with that. The rear window was rusted around the edges and about to fall out when I junked it.
Sounds like you took that basic class : Shadetree mechancis 101.
I can't believe how we all skated around on tires w/ no tread, started the car with a screwdriver in the carb, put a quarter's worth of gas to cruise around. Now we can laugh at those trials and tribulations.
