What is the weakest part of the GT?

[ZmokE]

See subject.
I'm a new Opel GT owner, and i was wondering what the weakest part is.
I can remember there where some problems with the GT in the 70's, but i can't remember what it was....

[jlthunder]

From my experience, other than the Solex Carb., it was the water pump. Every opel I owned went through a water pump, but I bought them with with 70-90 K on them so I guess they just wore out. If you do have to install a water pump, be careful, the steel bolts thread into aluminum threads, very easy to strip so don't over torque them.

Just my 0.02

[Jim Branham]

Zmoke- When you beef up the engine to around 150hp the rear end becomes a weak link because it can't really handle all that power. Stock, a lot of problems were related to the solex carburator. The points were also an area that needed attention but that was not unusual for cars with points. The feed wires to the fuse panel were known to become loose/corroded and give an owner fits trying to track down intermittent problems. The rubber mounts and donut on the tourque tube were known to break/wear out and cause klunking noises when you'd take off with a little gusto. A lot of Opels that were left to sit for long periods of time became happy homes to a variety of rodents that love chewing the wires and causing shorts and grounds in just about every electrical system. A big thing these days is the wires feeding power to the headlights. The insulation breaks down and then you have nothing seperating power and ground and the wires are moving/twisting as the headlights rotate and that is a recipe for disaster/fire. Replacing that part of the wiring harness should be very high on the to do list, like ASAP. These days, with Carter carbs, electronic ignition, proper maintenance and a resource like this web site, the days of difficult to solve Opel troubles are pretty much a thing of the past. It's not like the 70's and 80's when unless you were lucky to know the right people, your Opel might be sitting for a long time because no one could figure out what was wrong with you little beauty! So, I think the weakest part of the Opels in the 70's and 80's was the help/support a fellow got trying to take care of and maintain his little foreign car!

[Dmcbrass]

In my opinion, the most significant problem plaguing GT's at this point is rust. Since the GT is an early unibody design, rust in the floor and rocker areas can result in a difficult and expensive restoration. On a smaller scale, the rotating headlights can be problematic.

[jlthunder]

The only other thing I can add to this is the fuel sock in the gas tank and the small metal line coming out of the gas tank. Remove(destroy) the fuel sock and replace the metal line. Since the metal line is right over the rear muffler, a fresh piece of metal is a must. Mine looked good, but I just touched it and it came off in my hand. Put an in-line fuel filter in the system.

[baz]

with out a doubt the most dangerous part is the nutt that holds the steering wheel

[ZmokE]

LOL..thats for shure.
But anyway...thanks guys. Now i know where to keep an eye on at my GT.

[First opel 1981]

My quick opinion on the weakest part next to the solex carb. The stock voltage regulator. Real pain in the ass when it starts getting weak.

[IntrstlarOvrdrv]

Originally Posted by Jim Branham Zmoke- A lot of Opels that were left to sit for long periods of time became happy homes to a variety of rodents that love chewing the wires and causing shorts and grounds in just about every electrical system. A big thing these days is the wires feeding power to the headlights. The insulation breaks down and then you have nothing seperating power and ground and the wires are moving/twisting as the headlights rotate and that is a recipe for disaster/fire. Replacing that part of the wiring harness should be very high on the to do list, like ASAP.

I'm glad I read that, I am going to be working on an opel that has been sititng in the woods for at least 10 years, I really hope its not beyond repair. Is rust a major problem on these cars? I havent had a chance to pull it out yet, I have just been hoping for the best

[Bastian]

Hey guys,

The GT doesn't have anything like a weak part! It's an OPEL!

Bastian

[davegt27]

i would like to add the heater control panel

seemed like all GT's have a broken Heater control panel

i finally got one From OGTS and the thing is a work of Art

if you don't have one i would give OGTS a call

i should have got one when they where only $90


Davegt27

[calvin]

along with the above beef up the engine to much and the rockers go.

[marc556]

There are some things bad....for my opinion
The first and most important is the rust.All the panels are welded and not fixed with bolts, so if you want to restore a GT, you have to be able to use a 'welding station'.
The dashboard is suffering of the sun, my car came from US and the dash is more than bad!
Some parts are difficult to find in original condition.....so it's expensive!


When you use the car:
During summer, if you are in traffic, the engine become very hot.....vapor-lock. For this reason, most second hand carburators are bad. (aluminium doesn't like high temp for long time.

The positive side:
The mecanic is very strong and easy to find ....in Europe.
You can switch your original engine to 2.0L or 2.2L or 2.4 L without modifications!



bye