69' 1.1 Opel Kadett Water Pump Help

[seanathanx]

New to the Opel World! I just replaced my water pump on my 69' Opel Kadett 1.1 liter, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to connect the upper radiator hose to the water pump. The hose fits inside the connector! How do I properly secure the hose to the upper connector of the water pump? Does the thermostat go there? Please help can't find any threads that could help me. I have a 69' opel GT and it appears I have a 1.1 liter engine from the Kadett in it since the water pumps are the same. THanks!!

[kevinfier]

The upper radiator hose goes around the large connection on the rt side that the thermostat goes in.
The thermostat is held in by a wire spring fitted into the grove on the ID of the large connection.
The 1.1l was the standard engine in the GT, although the 1.9l is way more common.
HTH
Kevin

[GTJIM]

Welcome!

Sounds like you have one of the 359 1.1 Litre GTs that were imported into the US of A out of the three and a half thousand made.

The water hose should have a stepped up in size end that fits over the large outlet and the thermostat does fit down inside - another fine 'Opel Feature' !!

BTW: For future reference, the UK Vauxhall Viva and UK Vauxhall Chevette 1159cc/1256cc motor water pump can be used - it bolts to the Opel 1.1L cylinder head the same and has a conventional bolt on water neck and ordinary thermostat - see pic below.

[seanathanx]

At Autozone...when I told them I had a 1969 Opel Gt 1.1 liter double carb they gave me the same water pump that goes on the 1.9L. But when I told them I had a 1969 1.1L Opel Kadett double carb they gave me the right pump. Now the problem is this...I asked for the upper hose for the 1969 Opel Kadett and they gave me an upper flex hose and one end fits the radiator perfectly and the other does not fit over the big water pump connector. I can't seem the find an upper hose that can fit over the large connection. Any advice! THanks for all the help so far.

[GTJIM]

Originally Posted by seanathanx I can't seem the find an upper hose that can fit over the large connection. Any advice! THanks for all the help so far.

Sometimes Opelers have to be a obtuse and tell little white fibs to get what they need! The motor in the 1.1L GT is very similar to the Kadett - both are "SR" versions of the same 1.1L motor and should have an engine number that starts with '11SR' ***** and sometimes '11SRUS' *****

You may have to find a stepped bit of exhaust tubing with one end the size of the radiator hose and the other big enough for the size of hose that goes on to the water pump. Try to find stainless steel or copper pipe as it will not rust like ordinary exhaust tubing. May be a Plumber could help ...

[73Manta72gt]

how much was the pump at autozone?

Thanks

[GTJIM]

On EBay.uk Vauxhall Viva/Chevette water pumps are often available for about GBP5.00 ... plus postage, of course! They fit Kadetts and GT1100 - some of the later model pumps even have viscous coupling fan mountings.

[73Manta72gt]

I had a problem with my 1.1l water pump retaining the thermostat...it pops the spring clip out and then get caught in the hose. I bought the thermostat from OGTS, but it didn't have a vent hole in it, so I drilled two 1/16holes to allow some water to flow when the engine is cold. I have the engine apart now and haven't been able to test how it will work. Has anyone else seen this problem?

Thanks

[seanathanx]

Hey GTJIM or anyone else...do you know what kind of water necks or where to look to fit the Vauxhall Viva/Chevette water pumps? Any compatible water necks for other maunfacturers? Thx

[GTJIM]

I used a Holden 1964-72 'red motor' six-cylinder water neck ... but that won't help you much over there. Best to just wander in to an Auto Parts store with your water pump (or the water neck gasket) and have a search around.
Then record what you find under here!

[trailblazer2727]

When Adapting hoses I get my local exhaust shop to expand a piece of steel tubing to what I need. It's amazing how much they can expand a pipe without it splitting. I've also had them bend adapters to clear fans.

[Killer Texas GT]

Does this look like the hose you are looking for? I ordered two from Germany, I don't know if Gil sells them or not, you could check with OGTS, if not send me a PM for more information.

[seanathanx]

I have a new Reman Valucraft Water Pump for the 69' opel kadett and just purchased a duralast Duralast High temp-192 degree thermostat. How does the thermostat fit securely in the ID of the large connection...I heard about a spring which is suppose to hold it in...Was this suppose to come with the new water pump or thermostat because I dont see one! Awwww!

[GTJIM]

I guess they used to come with the pumps but someone figured they could save a few cents by no longer supplying them ...

You should be able to source an internal wire retaining ring for a local Engineering Bearing supplier - try to get a stainless steel one so it does not rust away like the original steel ones end up doing. They look just like bigger versions of the round wire retaining rings used for some piston gudgeon pins.

The other option is to get a piece of alloy - or better, stainless steel - tube the correct diameter to slide down inside the pump outlet above the thermostat and pin or stake it in place.

[alpharm]

I think that a picture is 1000 words: