Early Manta Turn Signal Housing Location

jerseydave · 08-06-2008

I plan on installing early Manta turn signal housings on my 74 Manta this weekend and wonder if anyone has a closeup picture of either side so I can get a good visual of how much metal to cut away. I have looked at plenty of Manta pictures but can't find the shot I am looking for!!

Pretty nice of Opel to leave the turn signal location on the 74 (don't know about 75's), I know cheaper to leave the front valance sheet metal the same.

BQS4 · 08-06-2008

Originally Posted by jerseydave

I plan on installing early Manta turn signal housings on my 74 Manta this weekend and wonder if anyone has a closeup picture of either side so I can get a good visual of how much metal to cut away. I have looked at plenty of Manta pictures but can't find the shot I am looking for!!

Pretty nice of Opel to leave the turn signal location on the 74 (don't know about 75's), I know cheaper to leave the front valance sheet metal the same.

Dave;
If you can wait till tomorrow, I will post you a picture of a 71 Manta turn signal opening. Right now it's getting dark and the picture wouldn't come out well.

jerseydave · 08-06-2008

Gene, I don't care what anyone else says, You are the man!

BQS4 · 08-06-2008

I'll make sure I have a ruler to show measurements. Do you have a set of early turn signal units?

jerseydave · 08-06-2008

Not yet, I should receive them by the end of the week!

Measurements are an added plus!

Trying to get the bumpers and stuff on by Charlotte, realized I couldn't drive it last weekend without the front signals!

I won't be able to get it painted by Chalotte though.

BQS4 · 08-06-2008

Originally Posted by jerseydave

Not yet, I should receive them by the end of the week!

Measurements are an added plus!

Trying to get the bumpers and stuff on by Charlotte, realized I couldn't drive it last weekend without the front signals! I won't be able to get it painted by Chalotte though.

Hey, tell everyone you're going for that "old Hot Rod" look in black primer LOL

jerseydave · 08-06-2008

I'm actually leaning towards the rust red primer color!!!

timemachine · 08-06-2008

Dave,

Nice of Gene to help you out. 1975s also retained the dimples for the old lights. I think you'll find that the the cutout roughly follows the contours of the back old-style light housing with two rounded tabs of metal left in to accommodate the mounting screws.

Once you see Gene's picture, you could mask over the mounting location, trace the outline of the housing (reversed) and then draw an inner outline to leave room for the gasket and mark your cuts. Clean it up with a file and you're in good shape.

I have a hand tool called a "nibbler," like a pair of pliers with a little cutting jaw, that I have used to make fine contour cuts like these. Don't know if you're doing the work yourself, body guys surely have tools like these. You drill a hole to fit the head and then nip away. If you're using a saw (which would be less of a good idea to me), take your time and don't try to be too fine the first time through.

Good luck.

Jim

jerseydave · 08-07-2008

Jim

That was the plan, look at the picture, get a visual idea, make a template from the housing and then cut it out with my dremel. A hand nibbler sounds like a good tool to have, I may check out Sears or Harbor Freight tomorrow night.
Thanks for the help.

If all go well the bumpers may follow next week!!

BQS4 · 08-07-2008

Dave;
Here's the promised pictures

BQS4 · 08-07-2008

Here's a few more, with a ruler to give measurements. If you need more detailed pics or whatever, let me know.

timemachine · 08-07-2008

This is even more straightforward than I recall, should be a pretty easy job. If you google "sheet metal nibbler" you'll find several options for tools. This one is close to the one I use.

Amazon.com: Klein Tools #76011B Nibbler Cutt Tool: Home Improvement

Mine is not a Klein, but I know they make good quality tools.

Nice pics Gene...

Jim

blackonblack89 · 08-07-2008

Thanks for the picture too. This will definalty help when it comes time to doing this.

jerseydave · 08-07-2008

Justin I was wondering if you were going to do this also.

jerseydave · 08-07-2008

Gene

Thank you for the pictures, I'll print them out and await the arrival of the housings. Received the lenses today.

blackonblack89 · 08-10-2008

Originally Posted by jerseydave

Justin I was wondering if you were going to do this also.

Yea I will be doing this later on in the project. What are u doing about the fenders. They are actually a little different from the 74-75's. Are u just going to deal with the little gap or u gonna modify the fenders so it bolt up properly? I think they atleast. lol (it saturday night

)

It will probally happen later though. Test fitting the SHO engine tommorow.

Then unibody rust repair, stupid battery location

jerseydave · 08-10-2008

I was planning on doing the turn signals this weekend but got rained out today. I made a template, mapped out my cutting, checked the wiring, made a couple of gaskets until I get the real ones. I did go out between storms and was holding up the front bumper to see what I had to do to make it work without too many modifications.

blackonblack89 · 08-10-2008

Yea I was in and out of the rain alot too.

Not a bad day for me. test fitted the engine. A VERY VERY rough fit

see thread

08-06-2008	#1 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Unanswered: Early Manta Turn Signal Housing Location I plan on installing early Manta turn signal housings on my 74 Manta this weekend and wonder if anyone has a closeup picture of either side so I can get a good visual of how much metal to cut away. I have looked at plenty of Manta pictures but can't find the shot I am looking for!! Pretty nice of Opel to leave the turn signal location on the 74 (don't know about 75's), I know cheaper to leave the front valance sheet metal the same. __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-06-2008	#3 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Gene, I don't care what anyone else says, You are the man! __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-06-2008	#4 (permalink)
BQS4 Southern Red Neck Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 6,028 Real Name: Gene Provided Answers: 12	I'll make sure I have a ruler to show measurements. Do you have a set of early turn signal units? __________________ "Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"

08-06-2008	#5 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Not yet, I should receive them by the end of the week! Measurements are an added plus! Trying to get the bumpers and stuff on by Charlotte, realized I couldn't drive it last weekend without the front signals! I won't be able to get it painted by Chalotte though. __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-06-2008	#7 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	I'm actually leaning towards the rust red primer color!!! __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-06-2008	#8 (permalink)
timemachine Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Swarthmore, PA Posts: 871 Real Name: Jim Provided Answers: 7	Dave, Nice of Gene to help you out. 1975s also retained the dimples for the old lights. I think you'll find that the the cutout roughly follows the contours of the back old-style light housing with two rounded tabs of metal left in to accommodate the mounting screws. Once you see Gene's picture, you could mask over the mounting location, trace the outline of the housing (reversed) and then draw an inner outline to leave room for the gasket and mark your cuts. Clean it up with a file and you're in good shape. I have a hand tool called a "nibbler," like a pair of pliers with a little cutting jaw, that I have used to make fine contour cuts like these. Don't know if you're doing the work yourself, body guys surely have tools like these. You drill a hole to fit the head and then nip away. If you're using a saw (which would be less of a good idea to me), take your time and don't try to be too fine the first time through. Good luck. Jim __________________ '74 Manta ("Sig") '75 Sportwagon (project) '72 GT (whenever I get to it) Sold or wrecked: '72 Manta Rallye '73 Manta '74 Luxus Last edited by timemachine; 08-06-2008 at 11:39 PM.

08-07-2008	#9 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Jim That was the plan, look at the picture, get a visual idea, make a template from the housing and then cut it out with my dremel. A hand nibbler sounds like a good tool to have, I may check out Sears or Harbor Freight tomorrow night. Thanks for the help. If all go well the bumpers may follow next week!! __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-07-2008	#12 (permalink)
timemachine Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Swarthmore, PA Posts: 871 Real Name: Jim Provided Answers: 7	This is even more straightforward than I recall, should be a pretty easy job. If you google "sheet metal nibbler" you'll find several options for tools. This one is close to the one I use. Amazon.com: Klein Tools #76011B Nibbler Cutt Tool: Home Improvement Mine is not a Klein, but I know they make good quality tools. Nice pics Gene... Jim __________________ '74 Manta ("Sig") '75 Sportwagon (project) '72 GT (whenever I get to it) Sold or wrecked: '72 Manta Rallye '73 Manta '74 Luxus Last edited by timemachine; 08-07-2008 at 06:33 PM.

08-07-2008	#13 (permalink)
blackonblack89 Opeler Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 22	Thanks for the picture too. This will definalty help when it comes time to doing this.

08-07-2008	#14 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Justin I was wondering if you were going to do this also. __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-07-2008	#15 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	Gene Thank you for the pictures, I'll print them out and await the arrival of the housings. Received the lenses today. __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-10-2008	#17 (permalink)
jerseydave Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 693 Provided Answers: 1	I was planning on doing the turn signals this weekend but got rained out today. I made a template, mapped out my cutting, checked the wiring, made a couple of gaskets until I get the real ones. I did go out between storms and was holding up the front bumper to see what I had to do to make it work without too many modifications. __________________ Dave 73 Opel GT-work in progress 74 Manta 75 Manta Previous 72 Manta Rallye-owned 1974-1979

08-10-2008	#18 (permalink)
blackonblack89 Opeler Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 22	Yea I was in and out of the rain alot too. Not a bad day for me. test fitted the engine. A VERY VERY rough fit see thread

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