Northeast Opel meet/seminar interest?

[RallyBob]

I was wondering if there's any interest this year in a New England Opel meet and/or a technical seminar for Opels. I was thinking of meeting at my father's place of business, and having an all day how-to workshop. I've been asked to do this before at various Opel meets, but have never actually done it because I don't do well speaking in front of a big crowd. But in a controlled environment with a smaller group, I think I can maybe handle it. If this were to take place, how many people might be interested, and what subjects would want to be discussed and shown. Maybe porting cylinder heads, or porting intake manifolds, or building headers, or doing rust repair, or rebuilding a Weber, or a little bit of each. Or???

Bob

[madhatterpdc]

I'm in, and I can think of at least one other person that would be interested.

Topics? I'd be really interested in hearing more about not only the topics you mentioned, but also handling and braking. I'm not sure how much you could cover without getting into fabrication techniques so those may not be the best. Just giving you some more ideas.

While I don't have as much depth, I would be willing to speak on a topic or two. At least so the burden of entertainment isn't on one person. Maintenance and electrical are my strongest points.

[opeljohn]

Bob
You know if you get comfortable with this seminar idea you should see if someone coming to Carlisle next year from out west could drag Roger Wilson with them. Maybe the two of you could do a tag team seminar on engine building. I suspect that would increase attendance considerably.

[MantAscona]

I would be interested Bob. Do you have any idea of time in mind? I'm sure that would be an a$$ numbing ride in my Manta.

Duane

[kent]

I'd be very interested and you can use my gt as a model. If I make it it'll prob need an overhaul really I need to get my intake done and headers so let me know if I can get time off I'm in.

[Gary]

I'm in.

[RallyBob]

I don't really have any particular weekend in mind, I guess I'm waiting for suggestions. I would like to make the October T.O.O meet in PA, and I always go to the Lime Rock Vintage Fall Festival at the beginning of September, but otherwise I'm pretty open to ideas. Same goes with the seminar subjects, I need to know what would be interesting to everyone ahead of time so I can make preparations for it. If we decide to make it a 'hands on' seminar then extra materials/tools would need to be brought as well.

Bob

[jpavlack]

a workshop on building an adjustable panhard rod would work for me. It's always better to see this done in person. Regardless, I'd be interested in coming out and helping you.
Joe

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by opeljohn Bob You know if you get comfortable with this seminar idea you should see if someone coming to Carlisle next year from out west could drag Roger Wilson with them. Maybe the two of you could do a tag team seminar on engine building. I suspect that would increase attendance considerably.

Why Carlisle particularly . . . I'm surprised you didn't suggest Route 66 Fest, John . . . more centrally located aaaaand . . . much easier for me to get to (785 vs. 1400+ miles) , not that I'm selfish or anything!

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by jpavlack a workshop on building an adjustable panhard rod would work for me. It's always better to see this done in person. Regardless, I'd be interested in coming out and helping you. Joe

My step-by-step photos weren't enough? I guess I could do another one, but again, I need to know in advance so I can gather supplies. Due to time contraints, I can't cover everything in super detail or the day will be gone before we know it, but I can have some parts pre-made ahead of time and then show some of the steps.

I've only done one other 'seminar' before, and that was on porting a Nissan SR20 head with about 1/2 dozen people in attendance. It took about 3 hours just to port one intake and exhaust port because I had to stop frequently to explain what I was doing, and had to answer a lot of questions. I don't mind doing this, but it will limit the subjects we can cover in the time allotted if I get too in depth.

Bob

[azopelnut]

For those of us on the "left coast" it would be fantastic if someone video taped the seminars. Opel Dean has done some and they are great! I am certain you could charge for the video's and sell them easily.
A wireless lav mike and simple camcorder would be all you need. I can even send you some gear if you need it.

[Gary]

Originally Posted by azopelnut ...I can even send you some gear if you need it.

How about having the Hartford, CT NBC affiliate tape it?

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by azopelnut For those of us on the "left coast" it would be fantastic if someone video taped the seminars. Opel Dean has done some and they are great! I am certain you could charge for the video's and sell them easily. A wireless lav mike and simple camcorder would be all you need. I can even send you some gear if you need it.

I'm not really comfortable with that idea, I'd rather not have my ugly mug on film.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I was wondering if there's any interest this year in a New England Opel meet and/or a technical seminar for Opels.

Definately!

Maybe porting cylinder heads

Yes

-Travis

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by Travis Definately! Yes -Travis

Aaaaargh, not picking on you specifically but . . . it's definitely not definately! When describing, stating or referring to something in emphatic terms, it's a finite description/statement/reference . . . hence, definitely.

[RallyBob]

Travis, if I might ask, why the interest in porting Opel heads? You've already got a 'good' one, I did a better specification for yours than the one depicted in my how-to article. Got another project in mind?

To all others who are interested in attending, I'm still open to suggestions about subjects to cover. My own suggestions were just samples, they don't necessarily have to be the items discussed.

[Travis]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Travis, if I might ask, why the interest in porting Opel heads?

The other items listed(intake manifold porting, rust repair, panhard bar, weber rebuilding and so on) are easily conveyed through existing books, pictures and articles. I don't need you in person to get any of those tasks done. As great as your recent pics and descriptions on head porting are, it still seems MUCH more error prone. Also, I figured I'd have a reasonable chance on getting you to walk me though how you did my head, not just the 'easy' stuff. For those of us who have never done any head porting there are other less obvious things that you didn't cover, that would be easily conveyed in person. For example, I've yet to find a good way to hold the grinder for good control.

You've already got a 'good' one, I did a better specification for yours than the one depicted in my how-to article.

Yes, I know

Got another project in mind?

No specific project in mind. Just wanting to expand my knowledge further.

I did just pick up another Manta yesterday. Thinking of building a daily driver. I spend so much time commuting now, it'd be nice to do it in something interesting. I'd prefer a wagon, but haven't been able to find one for a reasonable price.

Would you or Gregg happen to have a Manta with Steinmetz or similar flares? I may want to make a couple flexible shape patterns and build them myself. Just need to get an e-wheel put together...

-Travis

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Travis Also, I figured I'd have a reasonable chance on getting you to walk me though how you did my head, not just the 'easy' stuff.

That's a possibility too. I'd have to find a head that's already cut for big valves to do this to one intake and one exhaust port.

For example, I've yet to find a good way to hold the grinder for good control.

Practice is the key (really). I'm right-handed, yet I probably only use my right hand to guide the grinder and to hold the throttle down. My left hand does a lot of the work controlling the grinder as well, and applying force (I'm admittedly a bit tough on bearings due to the pressure I apply). The more you do it, the better and faster you get, plain and simple. Start carving up cracked cylinder heads, that's how I started out 22 years ago!

Would you or Gregg happen to have a Manta with Steinmetz or similar flares? I may want to make a couple flexible shape patterns and build them myself. Just need to get an e-wheel put together...

I have Gregg's Manta racecar at the shop, it has Steinmetz race flares molded into the body. I also have a loose set of Steinmetz race flares for my hillclimb car that have not yet been applied. And two more sets for Asconas and wagons, in both the street version and the larger race version. I could bring those along to be patterned.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by Travis I did just pick up another Manta yesterday. Thinking of building a daily driver.

You know, I just remembered I have an old big-valve head from my friend Paul's old circle track Manta. I think it needs one intake and one exhaust valve. Pretty well ported, milled a TON to get 10.47:1 compression with flat-tops! And it has the same exact cam you have in your GT right now. Could easily be updated with new springs/retainers. Might be a simple power upgrade for you.

Bob

[jordan]

Im in for this, would it most likely be in october? I would be very interested in cylinder head and intake porting ( I have an all welded intake that isn't done yet that would work great as a demo if you're so inclined, I could really use some pointers on that.)

[RallyBob]