COMMENTS - 72 GT Resto Thread

[opelspyder]

I haven't had a chance to take pics, had about 100 pieces to powdercoat this afternoon and left for a while. Well 11:00 and I finished-wheew
KEith
Later on pics

[tekenaar]

Just added one word to clarify my post #38 . . . sorry about any confusion it may have caused.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by opelspyder The engine mount ears are different...If anyone gets a chance to look in a parts book before I do this afternoon, see if they show separate numbers for the left and right ears...

I was given an "1968 - 1975 Opel and GT Chassis and Body Parts Catalog" effective April, 1979 when I bought this car. On page 6-11 it lists what I think are the two part numbers for the motor mounts:

69-73 GT (1.9 Eng.) 684130 RH 10.60 SUPPORT, engine front mounting

69-73 GT (1.9 Eng.) 684106 LH 9.30 SUPPORT, engine front mounting

Also, I had the engine pulled and set on new motor mounts on 10-12-87 according to my repair records. As far as that affecting the existence or absence of spacers, shims, etc. on my car and their relation to engine tilt - who knows what they did... All I can say is that we can't assume whatever was there is "original equipment".

BTW, just for my education, was the 14 degree tilt solely to give clearance to the original Solex carb and its air filter or does it serve another purpose? I've read that the engine on my Solstice tilts 10 degrees front to back for the lubrication system for example. Also, I have the Weber carb and a fairly "low profile" air filter so I wonder if that, plus the bump in the hood, would remove any need for the tilt of the engine (assuming it serves no other purpose). Just wondering...

Thanks,

Matt

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by newman27 ...Weber carb and a fairly "low profile" air filter...

Matt,

Some on the list think that the factory style breather with a K&N type filter element is better performancewise than the common aftermarket open element breather's. Something else Keith can powdercoat. I like it when he's busy, it keeps him out of trouble.

Harold

[opelenvy]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Matt, Some on the list think that the factory style breather with a K&N type filter element is better performancewise than the common aftermarket open element breather's. Something else Keith can powdercoat. I like it when he's busy, it keeps him out of trouble. Harold

Problem with the open air is it sucks all that hot air out from under the hood. Factory with K&N is better than the open air, IMHO. But I like this best.

I am still planning on going to a 3" pipe. (the picture is 2.5" Gotta save up for the K&N and 3" pipe.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr ...Something else Keith can powdercoat. I like it when he's busy, it keeps him out of trouble.

In that same vein, I sent Keith an email today asking if he could powder coat an Opel blitz logo and attach it to the valve cover over the Opel name (which I saw in a photo of someone else's car). I'm sure Keith is tired of powder coating at this point...

Matt

[newman27]

Originally Posted by opelenvy Problem with the open air is it sucks all that hot air out from under the hood. Factory with K&N is better than the open air, IMHO. But I like this best. I am still planning on going to a 3" pipe. (the picture is 2.5" Gotta save up for the K&N and 3" pipe.

Keith and I discussed a similar arrangement briefly (it may have been this exact photo in fact). I'm going to stick with what I have at present. I'm allocating funds to getting the body and mechanicals sound. Performance enhancements will have to be deferred beyond 2007...

Matt

[opelspyder]

Well, yes I am about tired of sandblasting and powdercoating...3 weeks straight. Anyways here are some thoughts and other questions resolved. I was working on the steering gear and was looking to powdercoat the steering shaft when I noticed some Nylon dots it the metal...then I relized that powdercoating this item would ruin it. What it is, the colapsible part of the steering system in case of a crash. It must be nylon or plastic impregnated for safety reasons. SO DON'T POWDERCOAT THIS. We will paint this item. That is the trouble with the coating. You have to really think about stuff before you decide if it can really be coated or not...but same goes for painting as well. Also is enclosed a picture of the engine mount on drivers side. Notice the dimple, this seems to be on all the driver's side ones I've seen so that will help tell them apart. The other pic is a closeup of the steering shaft and you can see the dots of plastic or nylon.
Keith-check the update on project post as well.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by newman27 I was given an "1968 - 1975 Opel and GT Chassis and Body Parts Catalog" effective April, 1979 when I bought this car. On page 6-11 it lists what I think are the two part numbers for the motor mounts: 69-73 GT (1.9 Eng.) 684130 RH 10.60 SUPPORT, engine front mounting 69-73 GT (1.9 Eng.) 684106 LH 9.30 SUPPORT, engine front mounting Also, I had the engine pulled and set on new motor mounts on 10-12-87 according to my repair records. As far as that affecting the existence or absence of spacers, shims, etc. on my car and their relation to engine tilt - who knows what they did... All I can say is that we can't assume whatever was there is "original equipment". BTW, just for my education, was the 14 degree tilt solely to give clearance to the original Solex carb and its air filter or does it serve another purpose? I've read that the engine on my Solstice tilts 10 degrees front to back for the lubrication system for example. Also, I have the Weber carb and a fairly "low profile" air filter so I wonder if that, plus the bump in the hood, would remove any need for the tilt of the engine (assuming it serves no other purpose). Just wondering... Thanks, Matt

Yes, though actually not really for its fender mounted air filter but for the snorkel atop the Solex, so it would fit without interference under the GT's hood bubble.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by opelspyder I was working on the steering gear and was looking to powdercoat the steering shaft when I noticed some Nylon dots it the metal...then I relized that powdercoating this item would ruin it. What it is, the colapsible part of the steering system in case of a crash. It must be nylon or plastic impregnated for safety reasons. SO DON'T POWDERCOAT THIS.

You can disassemble this part and replace the plastic pin with a soft aluminum pin or brass pin. As long as it will work as a shear-pin, it will be fine. I've replaced a bunch of them from cars with light frontal impacts which sheared the plastic pins. FWIW.

Bob

[newman27]

Post #27 - Treasures Found

I'm just glad nothing embarassing was found...

I'm old enough (barely ) to remember my parents collecting S&H Green Stamps in the '70s every time they bought gasoline. The Holden Red was another type of stamp collected in books and traded for merchandise. FYI:

Trading stamp - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm afraid they don't have any value today...

A PO probably filled the car up with gas and dropped his valuable trading stamp between the seats along with a penny from his change.

Matt

[newman27]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Yes, though actually not really for its fender mounted air filter but for the snorkel atop the Solex, so it would fit without interference under the GT's hood bubble.

Good to know - Thanks! The car had a Solex when I first bought it but I had the Weber installed so long ago that I forgot what the original arrangement looked like. Actually, I checked my repair log and I'm on my second Weber carb...

Originally Posted by RallyBob You can disassemble this part and replace the plastic pin with a soft aluminum pin or brass pin. As long as it will work as a shear-pin, it will be fine. I've replaced a bunch of them from cars with light frontal impacts which sheared the plastic pins. FWIW. Bob

I hope I never need to worry about these pins being in place but it's interesting to know that this is part of the design. That and the shear bolts in the steering column add some element of safety I suppose (in the absence of modern safety items like air bags). I also purchased two of the three-point seat belt kits from OGTS and passed those along to Keith to install.

[newman27]

Post #30 - Sandblaster

I'm glad to see that several items have come back from the sandblaster. I can't wait to see the whole body done. I mentioned in an earlier post that body integrity and defeating the rust monster are my number one priorities. I see this as laying a sound foundation on which to build the car back up and even improve upon it for years to come. The sandblasting and primer step I think go a long way toward achieving that goal.


I just wanted to add that I appreciate everyone's comments so far - very educational and they're a nice addition to the PROJECT thread. I'm sure the next couple weeks will be very interesting given that the substantial OGTS order is to arrive next week...

Matt

[opelenvy]

This is kind of like a soap opera for Opel nuts. What will happen between the rust monster and the hood? What will she look like after the plastic surgery (medial blasting)? What color will she be painted? What kind of rims will she wear?
Find out next week on, "As the Rotisserie Turns"

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by newman27 BTW, just for my education, was the 14 degree tilt solely to give clearance to the original Solex carb and its air filter or does it serve another purpose? . . . Just wondering... Originally Posted by tekenaar Yes, though actually not really for its fender mounted air filter but for the snorkel atop the Solex, so it would fit without interference under the GT's hood bubble. Originally Posted by newman27 Good to know - Thanks! The car had a Solex when I first bought it but I had the Weber installed so long ago that I forgot what the original arrangement looked like. Actually, I checked my repair log and I'm on my second Weber carb...

. . . well, you COULD modify the original air cleaner pieces to fabricate a "cold air system" for your Weber! . . . with the additional benefit of "looking stock", should that be of interest.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by tekenaar . . . well, you COULD modify the original air cleaner pieces to fabricate a "cold air system" for your Weber! . . . with the additional benefit of "looking stock", should that be of interest.

That's very tempting. All 2007 Opel GT dollars are allocated to the restoration. However, there will come a time when I can start looking at some other modifications and so I just added this to my "wish list".

Thanks!

Matt

[Dallas]

Great work Keith. As always right. I know from my car that you do great work. One day I intend on getting another GT and I have some great ideas in mind. I would never be able to do a full resto. I love it and enjoy working on projcts, but no time, place or know-how. I am good at creative ideas and can do alot, but when the time comes for a big resto job... you are the man. I still love my one-of-a-kind "Spyder" you built. I know I have added to and changed so much on the car, but it started with you and your craftsmanship. Thanks again.

Dallas

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Dallas Great work Keith. As always right. I know from my car that you do great work.

I have to second this. The latest posts of the A-arms and Engine mock up are simply amazing. I just have to say - this is one sweet engine!!!

My plan is to visit the shop on March 3rd to see things in person (about a four hour drive from Atlanta). The body should be back from the sand blaster by then...

Matt

[tekenaar]

Great results so far on engine post, Keith:

Originally Posted by opelspyder .

. . . uh, you did remember to add extra coolant holes to your headgasket, didn't you?!

[David McCollam]

Keith,

That looks like a really nice job on the GT. Is your shop competely booked? I sent a message about a month ago and never got a reply. I figured that you were booked or not taking new business. If so, let me know and a recommendation for another shop to help with the restoration of my Manta. I have all of the parts, but no time.

Thanks,

David

[2 Fast 4 U]

This is looking very, very good, I hope that my car is going to look like this when I'm working on it, my only problem is my budget, I don't have one.
I'll be spray-painting my parts instead of powder coating them, and I'll have to make most of the body parts because they're too expensive or you can't get them.

[opelspyder]

Okay, Otto on the head gasket modification, I did not modify it, was reminded of it by another member, but really didn't feel it was a problem. It would have been a little extra security feeling, but really I have (knock on wood) never had a head crack. I know the 73 models were more prone to this, but I didn't feel it was a necessity to do. If I felt that there was a potential this car was going to be raced or in a high temp senario, I might have looked into doing it, but just went with stock. It is a good thing though, don't get me wrong. David, I swore I did make a reply to you on the resto for the Manta, but yes we are pretty booked up, but we never refuse work either. E-mail me at keithlundholm@yahoo.com and we can discuss what things would run and such, Pickup is not really an issue either, I have family in TX . Thanks for all the comments, I will be posting more on the front suspension in the morning
Keith

[newman27]

Originally Posted by 2 Fast 4 U I'll have to make most of the body parts because they're too expensive or you can't get them.

Stay tuned. Without jumping ahead too much, you will see that my car needs a good bit of metal work. I think the plan is to use a mix of fabrication and cutting stuff off another car.

Originally Posted by opelspyder If I felt that there was a potential this car was going to be raced or in a high temp scenario, I might have looked into doing it, but just went with stock.

I can confirm the car will never be raced. The plan is to use as a daily commuter four days a week, 48 weeks a year (about 16 miles round trip, mix of surface streets and expressway), occasional weekend errands (taking the long way of course ) and then a handful of weekend trips to the north Georgia mountains and the occasional car show for fun. I estimate 4K - 5K miles per year being put on the car.

Matt

[opelspyder]

Refer to the project- 1972 Opel GT restoration Download for wether or not to retain the carb heat shield
Keith

[GTJIM]

The only people more 'frugal' than GT owners are GM Bean Counters - if they could have done without that heat shield it would have been gone!
If you are retaining the standard exhaust manifold (you did mention that you were) then keep the heat shield as Opels do have a heat soak problem which boils the carb dry when the motor is stopped.
A good idea is to replace the intake/exhaust heat chamber gasket with a sheet of stainless steel as this does slow down the heat transfer from the exhaust to the intake.

HTH