Found some interesting things..

[Sparky73]

Had some free time today, so I decided to remove my driveshaft and exhaust/intake manifolds. Like always, the bolts from the manifold to the head pipe were rusted and broke off. Finally got everything off and I noticed a couple interesting things. First, I have never seen an oil sending unit like this. It has some type of rubber cover over it. Any ideas? The second thing.. I don't ever remember being able to see the flywheel with the transmission still attached..

2nd, does anyone see a reason why someone would cut that section of engine compartment out? It gives access to everything behind the front passenger wheel, but.. WHY?

And last but not least, what is that large piece of sheet metal in the 2nd picture? There are no bolts/screws.. it seems to be spot welded into place or something. It also looks like it would have to be removed in order to drop the motor as it is connected to the engine mount/crossmember.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by Sparky73 Had some free time today, so I decided to remove my driveshaft and exhaust/intake manifolds. Like always, the bolts from the manifold to the head pipe were rusted and broke off. Finally got everything off and I noticed a couple interesting things. First, I have never seen an oil sending unit like this. It has some type of rubber cover over it. Any ideas? The second thing.. I don't ever remember being able to see the flywheel with the transmission still attached.. 2nd, does anyone see a reason why someone would cut that section of engine compartment out? It gives access to everything behind the front passenger wheel, but.. WHY? And last but not least, what is that large piece of sheet metal in the 2nd picture? There are no bolts/screws.. it seems to be spot welded into place or something. It also looks like it would have to be removed in order to drop the motor as it is connected to the engine mount/crossmember.

Stock GT/Rallye OP sender . . . spade terminal is idiot light, ring terminal is OP guage. Usually, that rubber heat shield is oxidized and brittle and can be safely removed in its entirety . . . you'll discover a fairly new looking metal can underneath, protected from the elements by that rubber cover all these years.

The hole? . . . PO inherited anomaly, who knows the reason!!

Sheet metal in 2nd pic is passenger tunnel heat shield and is mounted wrong . . . also PO! . . . it should end up over that engine cradle mount pointed to the rear. It is bolted to the frame rail from underneath by a couple of screws and is normally removable once these screws are removed. Looks like PO left the heat shield installed and then installed the engine cradle over the top of it . . . wrong order!

[Sparky73]

Is that heat shield something that is rarely re-installed? Out of the 10 GT's I have owned, this is the first time I've seen one, along with the rubber boot covering the oil sending unit.

Is the hole going to cause problems? Should I attempt to fix it or just start with a new block? Maybe I'll keep saving cash and just order a 2.4 from Opel GT Source..

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Sheet metal in 2nd pic is passenger tunnel heat shield and is mounted wrong . . . also PO! . . . it should end up over that engine cradle mount pointed to the rear. It is bolted to the frame rail from underneath by a couple of screws and is normally removable once these screws are removed. Looks like PO installed engine cradle after that heat shield!

To add to Otto's post, the engine cradle should have a bolt through the rearward pointing "ear" to help prevent forward/rearward movement. There should be one on the other side also.

"NASTY", WHO and WHY would anyone do these mods?

Harold

[opelwasp]

Looks like the dreaded PO was trying to fit a turbo.

[stosh562]

maybe the hole by the wheel was an opening for a super, new style fenderwell exit header??

[opelenvy]

Maybe the hole was for a cold air intake? Along with mud and anything else the tire slings up/

[Sparky73]

LOL, all great idea's guys. I also noticed.. part of the metal seems to still be attached. Like whatever caused the hole came from outside, not from the internals. It also appears there is a small tab on that piece of metal that is actually touching the flywheel. I wonder what really happened..

(BTW, if anyone remembers her, this was Heather's car from Hemlock, MI. I know some members knew her and knew the car was shipped from the South/West region.)

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by Sparky73 LOL, all great idea's guys. I also noticed.. part of the metal seems to still be attached. Like whatever caused the hole came from outside, not from the internals. It also appears there is a small tab on that piece of metal that is actually touching the flywheel. I wonder what really happened.. (BTW, if anyone remembers her, this was Heather's car from Hemlock, MI. I know some members knew her and knew the car was shipped from the South/West region.)

. . . Heather Havel, didn't she move to Alaska?

[Sparky73]

Originally Posted by tekenaar . . . Heather Havel, didn't she move to Alaska?

Yes, she did. She moved to Alaska before I even knew about the car. Her dad and I finalized everything before bringing it home.

I live right between Hemlock and Saginaw, so the car had been only 10 minutes from my house and I never even knew it. Actually, my grandparents also lived about 1/2 mile down the road from her parents house..