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Too much free time?
I wanted to improve the looks of the aftermarket Weber air cleaner for my GT, and came up with this design. I programmed and CNC machined it from an AL plate. The ribs match the Opel valve cover and the LOGO looks cool! It was beadblasted and the top sanded. I'm going to paint it red and sand the top to bare AL, should look great.
Lyle

 

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Thanks for the praise. It's nice to here something positive for a change. Divorced and no girl friend, so I have time to play with my favorite car....my GT! Oh by the way the ex didn't want the GT, thank God!!
I have a machine shop and make medical parts for other companies.
If you guys want me to make some let me know. I will make a fixture to hold them if there is enough interest. Once I'm setup I can run a bunch.
Any thoughts on holding the cover to the carb?
I was going to use a 2 standoffs. One end goes in the carb base and the top drilled and tapped for a flat head or button head?
Lyle

 

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Here is a painted one on the car. Matches the MSD ignition box, valve cover and engine color. My favorite color???
Lyle

 

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Yes, on my "LOGO" the outer line is angled not the bottom, good eye guys!
But, its not an Opel blitz! If I make them to look just like a blitz will it be a copyright problem?
I have it programmed 3 ways. As shown, like the blitz with angled lines and all straight lines like the GT gas cap.
I'm cutting one like the blitz as we speak.
What is the thought on copyright laws????
Lyle

 

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Hey I was looking at the "LOGO", its not a blitz! I think it is correct as machined. Its just rotated at an angle to the ribs. If you look at the picture and rotate the LOGO CCW it will look correct! The 2 outer lines are parrallel. Optical illusion????
I will have another cover ready soon, rotated CCW and 2 other ribs added.
I only used 2 screws to attach and it does need a standoff or tube to support the cover. Cant find a 6mm bolt long enough to go into the carb base, needs to be 3" long! I made a couple standoffs. works good.
What if I only sold to family, close friends and club members?

 

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Bob, did you mean the LOGO needs to be rotated 90 degrees to match the front nose emblem? OH I see say's the blind man!!
I did it so the logo was facing you while standing next to the car. Also the ribs and lightning bolt run the same direction as the valve cover ribs.
Thats another idea to rotate to face front!
If I make some for others how does everyone want them?????

 

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Now I get it!

Now I see what you mean!!!!!
I'll change it to a forward Z.
Logo facing front or side?
Can do both.
Price? depending on quantity about $25-35 for the cover, AL 6061, beadblast finish with sanded fins and 2 holes for mounting.
Group Buy?
Let me know.
Lyle

 

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Ok, hot off the CNC the new design The "LOGO" has been turned 90 degrees and is like a forward Z.
A little more machining because more of the ribs end at the LOGO, but it looks good.
I was thinking about clearcoat anodizing them, lot charge is about $70.
Still need long metric screws, button head or oval head stainless would look great!

 

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Hey Jeff good ideas! The blockoff plates would look great and the ajustable cam bolt!
Not sure if I want to sell to the public!? I'm a machinist not a salesman. Taking orders, packing and shipping.......takes more time for me than making them! As machinists say; "If your not making chips your not making money"!
Emailed Gil about the covers tonight,see what he has to say. If we do it as a group order the price will stay low.
Keep are Opels affordable, but looking Good
Jeff if you were closer I'd help you with the race car! Bob would be a better choice!
I help a local kid with his racing Go-Kart and race once in awhile myself.

 

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Tomorrow I will get some firm pricing numbers on the latest cover design with the LOGO facing like the front nose emblem. Programming, material cost, CNC machine time, tooling cost and finishing time. I will base pricing on a 50 part order.
Lyle

 

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asdasc, that was my original plan. But because the cover is AL it would get scratched and I would have to machine slots to hold the clips in place and a step on the bottom to keep it centered.
My cover drops into the the step in the filter to keep it centered. The bolts wont be bad if we can find the right length and look we want!

 

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Thanks for the compliment Bob. I have always respected the way you have supported the Opel owners over the years, and of course your mechanical ability & inventiveness!
Glad you chose the Opel to play with.
I'll send you one for the help you game me over the years, hang it on the wall!
Lyle
I want to use standoffs to mount the cover but cant find any that will work. I dont want to make them!!!
any thoughts?
Lyle

 

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McMaster, no standoffs long enough!
I going to make AL spacers.
I found flat head 6mm Stainless screws x 80mm long but, the head is ugly!
I modified them into a custom oval head on the lathe! Now they look great with the cover!
Will have prices soon!
Lyle

 

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Jim your right, these cars are addictive! Keeps us out of trouble.
My 12 year old daughter wants my GT when she is old enough to drive!
She is going to help me with the Air cleaner cover project, packing, shipping, maybe some machining!?

 

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I wanted to thank everyone for the positive feedback!
I came up with some prices for odering one cover at a time.
Note, that I'm selling only the cover! If you don't already have a Weber down draft air cleaner assembly, you can get one through OGTS. The square K&N filter outside dimensions are 4-3/8 x 6-3/8. The height is 2-1/2 on the one I have but this will affect only the mounting screws and spacers.

* Note that this cover is CNC machined from an Aluminum 6061-T6 plate! not cast! Machined the complex way with a tiny cutter so the LOGO and ribs are raised above the surface (see picture) over 200 lines of G-code!

I can offer the covers a few ways:
1) Just the cover with (2) 3/16 diameter counter sunk holes, beadblast finish and the raised LOGO and ribs sanded. No mounting hardware.
Great if you want to paint the cover to match your car, and have your own way to mount it. I would recommend spacers or standoffs to support the cover and hold the air cleaner base down.
Price ($41.00).

2) The same cover as above with (2) 6mm diameter counter sunk holes and mounting hardware; AL spacers and custom metric stainless oval allen head bolts! Looks great with the stainless bolts and painted to match your car! Or keep it bare AL! or black anodized?
Price ($47.00).

3) The same as (#2) with the addition of Clear Anodizing (Type-2, Class-1),
will keep the cover from oxidizing and protects finish!
Great match for the stock valve cover!
Price ($51.00). Need to Anodize about (25) covers at a time for this price.

For members of OpelGT.com shipping will be actual cost plus ($1.00) that will be donated to the OpelGT.com site.
Let me know what you think.
Any ideas or thoughts welcome.
Lyle

 

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Hey, your my first customer!
I have the material and will start machining on this Thursday when the machine is empty! The hardware is on order. Should have some ready to ship by the end of next week.
I will see what the shipping cost is anywhere in the US. Then it will be one number so I don't have to look up cost each time! The cover and hardware will fit in a padded mailer so thats cheap!
Brian, no money yet, not ready!
But, your on the top of a short list

 

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Bob, I was thinking about using a 6mm stud with acorn nut, but was concerned it would bottom out if everything wasnt the right length.
If anyone has a cheaper or better way to mount the plate let me know.

Bob I thought you din't have a down draft carb on a Opel, a nail in the wall and your all set!
Give me your address I'll send you one for helping me with my GT over the years. By the way I just bought a used 38Dgas what should I..............

 

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Hey, it looks like I have enough interest to make these! I need to do about 25 minimum to make them for the price shown! Gil at OGTS wants some, so that should do it!
Most people want to buy (#2) so anodizing could be out!
I could leave the plate un- bead blasted if someone wants to polish the whole cover, the cutter marks are not deep but it would be alot of work!!!!
Try it, you can always bead blast it later if its too hard.
I like it painted and the top sanded, if you want to change it, a little paint stripper and you have a new look.
Yes, I will ship to Canada, actual cost, I used to live in Buffalo, NY we were neighbors.
How should I ship these? Whats the cheapest way? want to keep price down!
A flat shipping rate would be easiest. UPS? mail? It will fit in a small padded mailer so that part is easy!
I'm just a machinist!
I'll run to the post office right now and see what it cost to ship to the west coast.
Be back soon

 

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Ready to make chips!

OK, to ship to US is $2.50, plus padded mailer $1.00, plus Opelgt.com $1.00 comes to ($4.50).
Canada will have to check on!
Email me your mailing address, Let me know what cover you want (1,2,3), add shipping and mail me a check or mail order (no paypal yet).
I know you guys don't know me, I will ship what I say!!!
Ebay rating 100%
Have bought from Gil for years!
Hey I own a GT!
Send payment to:
Lyle Trudell
3267 SanBernadino St.
Clearwater, FL 33759

Email: [email protected]
Thanks for the orders, you wont be disappointed!
Lyle

 

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Hi Tom, will check weight tomorrow at post office! It's Aluminum so its light! Bolts and spacers not alot. I'm going to use a padded mailer and add a piece of card board to make sure they make it looking good.
Send me your address!
How far are you from Florida? Who is the the farthest member from me?