Manta A 19 - from Portugal

[OpelGT-de]

Originally Posted by 4speed I'm back from a job trip from Germany (Frankfurt) didn't see any old Opel, only new models.

Next time email before depature to Frankfurt.
I live only 8 miles west of Frankfurt/M International Airport and have a barn of old Opels and Opel stuff

[4speed]

Originally Posted by OpelGT-de Next time email before depature to Frankfurt. I live only 8 miles west of Frankfurt/M International Airport and have a barn of old Opels and Opel stuff

Sadly I'll only go there again next year.
But I'll tell you then!
What Opels do you have there?
Edit: I've seen you gallery ... wonderfull cars, and they look almost 100% original!
Were can I find that SR exhaust chrome embellisher for my manta?

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by 4speed Were can I find that SR exhaust chrome embellisher for my manta?

Richardo;
Contact "rionart" Rob Cassidy on this site, he's in Canada, I know he has twoo of these. You might be able to talk him out of one....

[4speed]

BQS4, thanks for the tip!!!

When I was mounting the dash cover, I noticed some electrical problems. The dash lights didn't light on ... and I don't know anything about electricity.
But with some help from my friend Dave and Haynes manual, I found that one fuse was off!

here are some pictures of the fuse and the restored cover mounted!

In the weeken I also took some time to lube all my manta rubbers, some are in really bad shape.

[4speed]

I've one new part to my Manta (a pair)!!!
It's 100% original and completely new... I've hade the pleasure to open the original package and be the first one to touch it.

[4speed]

The electrical problem is resolved!!!

There was a dash lamp contact, which was touching in the metal base. The problem caused the blowing off the fuses.
So I’d to disassemble the dash to find the problem and eliminated!

Now everithing is working fine!

[4speed]

I’ll also change my door handles, because the chrome is falling, for ones that I’ve in spare parts and are in perfect condition. That will be the next weekend job.
I’ll have to check the driver window, because when it’s half opened it shakes a lot! Does any one have an Idea why?

In the photo you can also see the new shining door lock surrounds!

[4speed]

This week I didn’t had the time to view the window problem... but Dave sent me a helping tip about the window rattle.

Saturday I went with my manta to see a friend that is restoring a Fiat 128 coupé!

[4speed]

Conclusion... the cats prefer the FIAT

[BQS4]

Richardo;
I now have all the pieces for your package. I'll be sending it out over the next few days, so watch for the Postal person!

[4speed]

Ok Gene I'll be alert
***

Yesterday I went to see a 1604S (ascona) that was going to be packed today!
It was already been dismantled, but I found some parts that I brought home to my manta.
It was late when I get there, 6 pm and at 7.30 pm was already night and I couldn't see any more.

[4speed]

Here is a part that I've restored!
This came from the Ascona and it is part of the strap that holds the extra tire.

It was really rusted, so I've sanded with a dremel toll and to finish I've polished to give the shinning look.

[hallgeir]

Nice. The Dremel is one of my very best friends, actually.

[Mike Preble]

Gene, It looks like you have a little competition out there with the Dremel tool.

MIke

[BQS4]

Mike;
Nahhh, having a dremel is a MUST, like a good set of combo wrenches and such. You don't have a Dremel!?!?!? GET ONE!!!

[4speed]

Originally Posted by BQS4 You don't have a Dremel!?!?!? GET ONE!!!

Gene this sounds like a really good publicity claim to Dremel.

Even with the dremel, it took 1:30h, to put that part like it is.

[4speed]

Does any one have a photo to show me haw the original manta battery holds down in place?
I've tried the net but no luck!

[Manta72]

I don't recall having any battery hold down for the original Manta battery location....

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by 4speed Does any one have a photo to show me haw the original manta battery holds down in place? I've tried the net but no luck!

The way the battery is held down in the Manta/Ascona is there is a short bolt, that goes through a flat piece of metal and the bolt goes into a threaded hole at tha bottom of the battery tray. This threaded hole is on the passenger side of the battery and is either totally rusted, or as in most cases, totally rusted off as the battery box is rusted out. It was meant to hold the battery through a recess made into the side of the battery, accessed by a ratchet with a long extension and a 13mm socket. As I said, with most trays being rusted, and once the battery is placed in the tray area, it wasn't moving anyway.

[4speed]

It is something like this ???
Mine is like the one in the photo, but I thought that was not original!