294 replies to this topic

[stradacab]

Holy rust-o-rama Batman!!

[Moon Monkey]

possibly almost as bad as mine!!! lol!![][][]

but it's still an A... is it tax free???

B934RJA... soon to be pimped... and evil bay is bad for your health...

[Shug]

Been at it recently.
Plenty of pics but taken with my phone and the cable has been misplaced!
Suffice to say, I can guarantee the pics will provide a good wee chuckle!
I found clean pure solid metal as smooth as a babies bottom and not a hint of rust on passenger side sill.
There is a 2 foot section missing from the same side chassis leg tho!
Thought the accelerator peddle was wobbling a little before realising the part of body it was attached to was no longer solid. In fact, you can now see the front tyres from inside car since I removed the kick panels (made of cardboard)
Large chunks of filler have been torn out of what looked like solid body.
Transmission tunnel is flawless tho. Axles and fuel tank may well be savable.
I'd like to end up with more than just a few bits of glass and headlights!
Pics will follow when I find the cable for my phone!

[gunman]

quote:

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Transmission tunnel is flawless tho. Axles and fuel tank may well be savable.

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If the fuel tank is savable its a miracle[:0], as far as I know they are meant to rot like stink!

I can fully understand where you are coming from with this project.  Its the sort of madness I'd be at![]. To me the working at the car is more than half the hobby.

What standard do you hope to get the car back to?  If you want a show winner you will need a fortune spent on it. If you want a usable, presentable car and can do a bit of fabrication yourself and have plenty of time you should be OK.  

If only parts for these were as easy to get a hold of as MGs and Minis[V].

If what I say can be taken in 2 ways and one of those ways get you angry....I meant it the other way

[Shug]

Found my phone cable!
Look, laugh and take pity []

















Still, I'm confident all will be well in the end.
[]

[opel2000]

At least there is no rust on the gear linkage Shug[][]

On a more serious note though, it is only steel that needs replacing, someone put a link up on here once in Israel or Greece or somewhere a lot hotter than here, and shown us pics of his 'A' and that was bad too but he got it sorted.

http://www.customsolutions.me.uk

[gunman]

JAY-SUS dude!

I'd worry about how you'll keep the shell shraight!  You may need to take to a bare sheel then brace it before you start any repairs.  You'll need another car to look at and measure as you go, its difficult to make out what shape the inner gaurds are meant to be[].

Personally I'd walk away from it (or re-shell) but I hope you get stuck in and if you get the car back on the road then you shall be a manta god!





If what I say can be taken in 2 ways and one of those ways get you angry....I meant it the other way

[paulmanta]

See you friday mate !!

Inverness to Penzance and back........hardcore Manta owner.

-----Under neon loneliness everlasting nothingness-----

[Atlantean]

I don't envy you in your mammoth task!

Hope it all goes well for you []



::::::::::: Is minic a bhris béal duine a shrón. :::::::::::

[Shug]

Gave the manta a quick rub with wet and dry and a drop of kurust and its all solid again!
(ok, theres a possibility its actually a new shell I just got from paul [])
Its currently perched on a few fence posts awaiting to be attacked with nitromors, waxoyl and whatever other noxious anti-rust products that catch the eye! I did forget to take photos once home, but heres the view from the drivers seat of my vectra whilst towing it:



In other developments I was eyeing up a few bits on Dr Manta's site (and trying to find them on the greek opel parts list!) and it came (including shipping estimate) to about 78 quid. Bit broke at the moment, but I won 78 quid on lottery last night! Its a sign! God approves of my plan! (if only I had been looking at a ferrari site instead!) []

Once I finish stripping the old manta there may be a few bits available. Anyone wanting body panels I can cut off (the few that are solid and not half filler!) I'll see what I can do.

[upk]

i thought i was taking on a big project??????
anyway i am currently modifying my a series (see my thread)and will rebuild to non original spec. as build progresses i may be in mind to dispose of some of the original parts. I will not be using the bumpers and mine are in very good condition, nor the original engine and box, and i dont want the original seats, or petrol tank(NOT ROTTEN). if you need anything just pm me.

[Shug]

Spent most of this weekend on the beast. Due to time constraint and not wanting any bare metal left to the rust demon, I rushed it a bit so will have to go back at it and do parts of it properly again. I hope Bilt Hamber know their stuff!
First up was removal of engine. Radiator was savable so out came the engine shield to get at the underside of it all.
I suspect the shield is past saving tho:

Then I needed to ease the exhaust from the engine:

Slight adjustment to front to make more room:


Out comes the engine:

Its gonna need a good wee scrub!


After that was out, I gave the inner wings a quick rub down and little spray of rust eater.
Before

After:
[]

Then rubbed down shell til arms burned and clarted with Bilt hambers finest:




I suspect bonnet is past it tho. Even if its blasted rust free its gonna be thin!

[Robbie]

That shell is a lot better[^] The first shell had more rust than metal [:0]
Your have leap frogged way ahead in time and the car is coming along really well for you now. [^]

http://www.mantamagic.com
OMOC N,Ireland Rep



OMOC 5706

[Shug]

Chassis rails and sills were treated to some dynax 50.
Old shell has a new home until all useful bits are off.
Looking rather sorry for itself!

[Devil Fish]

well looks like storage space isn't a problem for you!
[8D]

[Stonymanta]

Well done Shug [] another one saved!

Down with the tin worm [}]

Best of luck with her.

Cheers,

Simon.

Old Mantas never die, they just get faster !

[Shug]

Back up the road for another bash at it this weekend.
Will be going at the shell with wirebrushes again to make fully sure I get all rust off it and redo the rushed bits from last time.
Will be doing everyones favourite task as well.
The joyous 'old underseal removal spectacular' [V]
Was hoping to get underseal on but events elsewhere have overshadowed the task and I will be off to a funeral instead so time will be short this time.

Still need to finish removing interior, door, lights etc from old one.
Seeing as how I have a spare front cross member with upper and lower control arms, might see if I can modify to take a wee bit more cc. You know, from 1600 up a wee bit to maybe 5700 []

Started writing a shopping list for the car. Its scarily big!
Tho there will soon be a list of spares for sale as well.
Does anyone wanna buy a sunroof or driver side wing?
Think I'll also be selling a manifold for twin 45's for the CIH.

Most pressing things I need are wheel arches, driverside sill and rear lower quarters.
Oh, and a mig welder []

[Shug]

Well, there was more scraping, grinding, sanding and wire brushing done, then on with the hydrate 80.
No more pics cos really not much more to see!
I guess this is the least exciting, but most important part of the project.
On the bright side, I've discovered the carb I have is a weber replacement. Was replaced in 91. Cars been laid up since 94 so its only had 3 years of use. Will probably send it off to be refurbed for peace of mind. Found a place that wants £85 for basic and £130 for full strip down and rebuild. That price about fair?
My parts stock is increasing. Added condensor, big end shells and wheel cylinders to the collection.
Still need a MIG welder tho!
No more progress for a fortnight now. Things to do, people to see []
(and overtime to do to pay for the damn thing! [])

[Shug]

Onto the underside! Though how does one get easy access to the underside of a Manta shell. . .  
[]


And the horror was revealed! [:0]







Then with the help of my japanese mate Makita and a wire wool attachment and Mr Bilt Hamber:




The jacking point and chassis rail bit below it will be cut out and replaced.
Knew I should have gotten to it sooner. [:I]

Couple of pin holes appeared do they'll need sorted.
Takes a while to sort with a power drill and wire attachment so sand blaster kit on order! Have a rather hefty compressor available so next session should be a bit more productive [8D]

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OMOC #5988

But I'm a name, not a number dammit!