[cees]

4 speed transmission

This might sound funny to many of you, but I want to recondition my 4 speed box. The main reason for this is that I want to keep my GT as original as possible. Getting bearings has proven to be close to impossible. Opel GT Source use to have a complete rebuild kit [bearings, synchros, gaskets, etc]. Is there anybody out there who still has one of those rebuild kits [or new bearings] and wants to sell it?

Melbourne - Australia

 

[Jim Branham]

transmission

I don't know about getting a kit with all that you need, maybe you should scavenge good used parts fron another, or buy this one on e-bay OPEL 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION REBUILT NO RESERVE Item number: 2444368809 and use those parts, if it has to stay original this might be a way for you. Good Luck!

 

[baz]

ccccccccccccccccccccccccc

(cees)have you checked the european suppliers like :-

http://www.opelgtparts.com/

http://www.buchta-motorsport.de/Seiten/functional/buchta.htm

 

[nobody]

I looked at the tranny on E bay and it looks scary. It appears that the input shaft is painted, not good. I would hate to think what a tranny from the US would be in shipping to Australia anyway. Seems to me that the Vega 4 speed used all the same parts except the input shaft. I could be wrong again, but it seems like I read it somewhere. You might still get a rebuild kit that way.

 

[oldopelguy]

Holden connection

I understand the desire for origionality, but you my want to look at a couple of other options. A Holden Commodore was available with the same basic 4-cyl, along with the larger 6-cyl Opel CIH motor. Any of the transmissions from either motor should work, and if you find an old enough one will be the same. An Aussie pal of mine led me to believe they were fairly common in the salvage yards down there.

The newer ones also have 5-speeds, 15" alloy wheels, and a fair number of other drivetrain and brake parts that will go on your vintage Opel quite easily.

 

[cees]

Thank you for all your suggestions guys! I am following them up at present. The Opel 1900cc engine was also used in Australia for a very short time as nobody liked it [no power]. It was fitted to the Holden torana. Unfortunately the Commodore 4 cylinder engine [called starfire engine] was somewhat different to the Opel motor. Both engines had a different gearbox fitted to them compared to the gt. I have compared the parts lists. Even if they were the same, new parts have not surfaced yet.

The second hand option seems the only way to go at present, although I have written to the suggested contact in Germany to see what he can come up with.

Please keep your ear to the ground. I am grateful for all your suggestions and help!

Has anybody seen the new Aussie Pontiac "monaro" yet? Good Aussie product!

 

[Mike Preble]

For years I use the syncros from the old Vegas. This made it easy to get parts as I just went to the Chevy dealer as opposed to the Buick dealer. There were two sizes of syncros and the early ones were the correct, smaller, ones. I can't remember if the front and rear main bearings were the same but try the local bearing dealer. Most larger towns and cities have somewhere that deals in just bearings and they can probably match it up.
HTH Mike

 

[cees]

Thanks for your suggestion Mike. Unfortunately there are no Chevrolet dealers in Australia. Also the Vega was never sold in this part of the world. However, I could try talking to my cousin in Canada and see what he can do?

 

[nobody]

For your tranny take a look at this link.

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/archive/topic/155.html

 

[baz]

cees: take a look @ what is for sale here you might just get what you want from oldopelguy
http://www.opelgt.com/modules.php?name=Classifieds&s=&op=detail&cat=15&de=405

 

[oldopelguy]

sure, but about the shipping...

I'd gladly toss a transmssion in the post to cees, but man what a pain if it didn't work and had to be replaced as well. I'd rather buy cees the rebuilt one on ebay, assuming no one here bids me up, and send that to him. Much higher chance of it getting there and working, or him at least getting the parts he needs to rebuild his.

I'd do it for a modest fee as well. Depending on the price the transmision ends up going for, cees could work it out in trade for some 15" 4-lug Commodore wheels. Steel, alloy, no real matter, I just think it would be a riot to show up to an autocross with "stock" wheels with 15" tires on the Kadett. Always keep 'em guessing.

Come to thnk of it, we need to get some South American members here as well. They might be cheaper on shipping parts, and I'd love to get a CIH 6-cylinder to play with some. Anyone out there?

I wonder if a rallye Kadett would make the drive? Probably need 4WD.....

 

[Gary]

Re: sure, but about the shipping...

.....and I'd love to get a CIH 6-cylinder to play with some. Anyone out there?

The Bitter used the 6 cyl CIH Opel motors. There are quite a few in the states. The 3.0 in my Senator looks just like the 4 cyl but 50% longer. Same timing cover, etc.