1969 Kadett Rallye restoration 95% done!

[mach 1]

Well the Kadett Rallye is 95% done! Enjoy the pictures, it has been a lot of work but I think it is the best on the planet. Thanks goes out to Keith for all his assistance in this restoration.

[anastosmotors]

Great looking car. Enjoy it.
Pete

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by mach 1 Well the Kadett Rallye is 95% done! Enjoy the pictures, it has been a lot of work but I think it is the best on the planet. Thanks goes out to Keith for all his assistance in this restoration.

Great job to both of you! I've really grown fond of the lowly Opel Kadetts since I bought mine . . . they really grow on you!

One small safety related comment on the fuel line feeds to your carb - two blocked off, one actually supplied from the pump. As shown in your third pic and even though low pressure, not sure if those two blocked off inlets are properly "secured" at their bowl inlets . . . don't think you should rely on those two "push on" caps to stay on without some sort of clamp!

You'd certainly never be allowed to "compete" at any level of sanctioned racing with the way it is now, but it's not safe in ANY use of the car!! I'd hate to see this wonderful car destroyed by an engine fire!!!

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Great job to both of you! I've really grown fond of the lowly Opel Kadetts since I bought mine . . . they really grow on you! One small safety related comment on the fuel line feeds to your carb - two blocked off, one actually supplied from the pump. As shown in your third pic and even though low pressure, not sure if those two blocked off inlets are properly "secured" at their bowl inlets . . . don't think you should rely on those two "push on" caps to stay on without some sort of clamp! You'd certainly never be allowed to "compete" at any level of sanctioned racing with the way it is now, but it's not safe in ANY use of the car!! I'd hate to see this wonderful car destroyed by an engine fire!!!

Hmmm, just realized that the pic may show the carb BEFORE any fuel line connections, i.e. not in "running" condition. Nevertheless, caution about proper securing of unused fuel inlet block-off stands!

[mach 1]

VERY observant!! The fuel line is not hooked up yet, I need to adjust the valves, put the fuel pump on and run the lines to the carb and it's ready to start.

I am going to put a Y in the line and connect both inlets. I bought the carb on Ebay and didn't notice it had both inlets. Believe me, after all this work caution is putting it mildly when I work on it.

Terry

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by tekenaar One small safety related comment on the fuel line feeds to your carb - two blocked off, one actually supplied from the pump. As shown in your third pic and even though low pressure, not sure if those two blocked off inlets are properly "secured" at their bowl inlets . . . don't think you should rely on those two "push on" caps to stay on without some sort of clamp!

The older webers had the ability to have the inlet moved to either side, and it it had a nice threaded plug for whatever side you didn't use. To me this would be the safest way to go.

[GoinManta]

That is absolutely sick.. I wish I had the time and patience to make mine look that good.. !

[azopelnut]

Fantastic car and garage!!

[opelnut10]

Ever with all the work done, you should be proud to display that one anywhere. It looks better than new, and the upgrades you have made I'm sure makes it run better than new. That is one of my favorite models and is one tough unit. Kadetts are nice drivers, very simple to work on and while it does not handle as well as a Manta or Ascona it can hold it's own with anything it's age.

[mach 1]

Originally Posted by BQS4 The older webers had the ability to have the inlet moved to either side, and it it had a nice threaded plug for whatever side you didn't use. To me this would be the safest way to go.

I don't know if the inlet will unscrew but will look at it tonight. That would be a lot better for sure!
Thanks

[mod mini gt 75]

You did a beautiful job on the kadett. Makes me want to build another one. Have fun with it. Happy Opeling.

[Gordy]

Just plain beautiful. Did you have the Rallye stripes painted on or go with the stick on vinyl? If painted, did they paint them on after the red was all painted?

PS- I don't think that is his garage...he parks that nice of a car in his KITCHEN!!

[jlthunder]

WOW, that is SWEEEETTT. Enjoy the ride

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by mach 1 Originally Posted by BQS4 The older webers had the ability to have the inlet moved to either side, and it it had a nice threaded plug for whatever side you didn't use. To me this would be the safest way to go. I don't know if the inlet will unscrew but will look at it tonight. That would be a lot better for sure! Thanks

True, Gene, but those "early" Weber screw-in inlets pointed downward at a 45° angle and this carb clearly shows the engine-side, rubber capped one pointing down and the outboard, clear plastic capped one as horizontal . . . both inlets look to be "pressed-in" type too!

So, NO unscrewing inlets here, I'm afraid!

[tekenaar]

. . . but that's what sets it apart from the ordinary.

Ever since I bought my low-mileage Kadett in Seattle, I've never really liked the haphazard factory heater-hose routing . . . it's almost like an afterthought on Opel's part!

Looking at your engine compartment pic, I'd like to suggest a more "organized" heater-hose routing that uses your existing hoses but eliminates that haphazard heater-hose clutter in the engine compartment.

The re-routing is primarily this:

1. A straight section of hose between the T-stat nipple and the passenger-side heater core inlet . . .
2. A straight section of hose along the same path of #1 to one heater valve inlet directly above the #1 heater core hose connection . . .
3. A short 90° hose section from the remaining heater valve nipple, behind the engine valve cover, to the driver-side heater core inlet . . .

You could then support these parallel hoses at the side of the valve cover, one above the other, with two different length original Opel hose support brackets . . . perhaps even chromed!

First pic is my Kadett heater-hose routing, like yours, as purchased originally . . .
Second pic is my annotated, revised Kadett heater-hose routing . . . just a suggestion!

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by tekenaar True, Gene, but those "early" Weber screw-in inlets pointed downward at a 45° angle and this carb clearly shows the engine-side, rubber capped one pointing down and the outboard, clear plastic capped one as horizontal . . . both inlets look to be "pressed-in" type too! So, NO unscrewing inlets here, I'm afraid!

This is true Otto, but, you can still pull the pressed in tubes out, and drill/thread the holes as needed. Even put in a barbed inlet fitting, and still use a threaded plug to block the other off. Even Bob has done this.

[mach 1]

Originally Posted by Gordy Just plain beautiful. Did you have the Rallye stripes painted on or go with the stick on vinyl? If painted, did they paint them on after the red was all painted? PS- I don't think that is his garage...he parks that nice of a car in his KITCHEN!!

The stripes are painted on over the red, I do have a set of the vinyl but chose the paint instead.

PS- not my kitchen but my MAN CAVE downstairs. That was FUNNY though.

[mach 1]

Originally Posted by BQS4 This is true Otto, but, you can still pull the pressed in tubes out, and drill/thread the holes as needed. Even put in a barbed inlet fitting, and still use a threaded plug to block the other off. Even Bob has done this.

Last night I used a Y and ran a line to both of them, I don't know how hard it would be to thread one side and put a plug in but I will be starting it soon and if the carb is junk I'll just buy a new one that is correct. I got this one on Ebay for $125 and it is supposedly new and looks it but it is EBAY!
Terry

[Phoenix]

Such a nice car, hope to see it in person one day.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by mach 1 Last night I used a Y and ran a line to both of them, I don't know how hard it would be to thread one side and put a plug in but I will be starting it soon and if the carb is junk I'll just buy a new one that is correct. I got this one on Ebay for $125 and it is supposedly new and looks it but it is EBAY! Terry

Save yourself the money, Terry, all the carb probably needs is correct "Opel CIH jetting"!

[TDItech]

WOW. I can only hope that my 68 looks half that good when I'm done.

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Such a nice car, hope to see it in person one day.

It may be at the AutoFair this Fall!

[opelspyder]

I doubt it will Roy, I'm picking it up on Labor Day weekend, it might, but it will be close
Keith

[Ooooner]

Originally Posted by opelspyder I doubt it will Roy, I'm picking it up on Labor Day weekend, it might, but it will be close Keith

Yea... He told me you were going to be "finishing" it up and it would be close. But if not there this time, definitely in the Spring!!!