Dependable Opel!

[Tru-Craft]

My GT has been really reliable over the last few years!
Knock on wood!
I have been driving my GT more since the high gas prices.
Hop in and it starts up everytime, runs good and performs great.
Lately I have been filling it with gas, changing the oil and routine maintenance.
This site has helped make my GT really dependable, lots of good ideas!
These things have improved my Opel:
* Gel-cell battery, no fumes, corrosion and holds a charge.
* Pertronics ignition
* MSD box
* Re-curved distributor
* Otto start ignition switch
* K&N air filter
* Weber carb
* Electric fuel pump, pre-filter & fuel shutoff
* Re-route fuel line and larger dia.
* Remove fuel sock in tank
* Fuel vent hoses
* Alternator GM 63 amp
* NGK sparkplugs gapped at .040"
* Clutch cable snap ring fix
* Head light wire fix
* Un-leaded fuel, head cut for hardened exhaust seats.
* Head gasket modified.
* RallyBob 2.0 engine design
* Header and 2" exhaust
* 14 or 15" wheel/tires
* Lowered front spring
* Poly suspension bushings
* Sway bars F/R
* Added A/C, great in the south!

I know there are so many more.

Thanks everyone for the help!

Lyle

[Sparky73]

Congrats! I envy you, along with many others. My GT is currently sitting in my garage on jackstands waiting for the engine to be pulled so I can start on body work. Right now it's basically a shell with an engine and wheels.

I can't wait to drive it..

Maybe next summer? I better get my ass moving!

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by Tru-Craft My GT has been really reliable over the last few years! Knock on wood! I have been driving my GT more since the high gas prices. Hop in and it starts up everytime, runs good and performs great. Lately I have been filling it with gas, changing the oil and routine maintenance. This site has helped make my GT really dependable, lots of good ideas! These things have improved my Opel: * Gel-cell battery, no fumes, corrosion and holds a charge. * Pertronics ignition * MSD box * Re-curved distributor * Otto start ignition switch * K&N air filter * Weber carb * Electric fuel pump and fuel shutoff * Re-route fuel line and larger dia. * Remove fuel sock in tank * Alternator GM 63 amp * NGK sparkplugs gapped at .040" * Clutch cable snap ring fix * Head light wire fix * Un-leaded fuel, head cut for hardened exhaust seats. * Head gasket modified. * RallyBob 2.0 engine design * Header and 2" exhaust * 14 or 15" wheel/tires * Lowered front spring * Poly suspension bushings * Sway bars F/R * Added A/C, great in the south! I know there are so many more. Thanks everyone for the help! Lyle

. . . great list, Kyle . . . hope you just forgot to mention a pre-filter before the fuel e-pump in your list?

[Tru-Craft]

OTTO, good point!
I have a filter before the pump and one before the carb. I have a 1973 gas tank with a fuel return line, so the fuel is flowing all the time throught the line.
Went back and added it to the list.
One thing about most of the improvements on the list, the car still looks like a stock Opel!
Lyle

[Tru-Craft]

Originally Posted by Sparky73 My GT is currently sitting in my garage on jackstands waiting for the engine to be pulled so I can start on body work. Right now it's basically a shell with an engine and wheels. I can't wait to drive it.. Maybe next summer? I better get my ass moving!

I put a lot of hours/years in my GT. The pay off will be worth it, it's now a great, dependable car!
The body on your Michigan GT is the weakest point "RUST", hopefully yours is in good shape!
The best thing I found when doing body work was "Ospho" metal prep. Bare metal coated with stuff, stays rust free for weeks/months. Handy when you can't finish a panel.
Brazing also is a good way to repair some badly rust pitted sheet metal, the braze will coat the area and keep it from rusting. Great for small spot repairs. Lap joints work best.
Stay with it, you will learn alot and have a great sports car, that gets good gas mileage when your done!
Lyle

[Sparky73]

Thanks for the support and tips! I have already had one GT restored to about 95%, when I ended up selling. I had so much going on with school at the time that I slowly lost interest. That was the first GT I had owned. Now here I am doing my 2nd restoration on GT #10 lol. I have seen some pretty bad cases of rust here in Michigan, but luckily the PO of my current car had it shipped up from the southwest area. Interior was pretty fried, but with any of the colors I have in mind for the car, a red interior just wouldn't have worked.

Money is tight right now, so progress is real slow. Hopefully when I find a decent paying job that actually gives me hours, the process will speed up a bit. I've got it to the point where I am ready to pull the motor, but just got a cherry picker yesterday. Hopefully sometime this week it will get done. Then my favorite part starts.. body work!