I thought i would post this in case it helps anyone else out that is having problems starting an old car running injection (or maybe even carbs?) I have been having a nightmare starting the opel up and have tried loads of different things and thought it could be a lot of causes. The symptoms were that when you turned it over it was  like it would try to catch and run, but just wouldn’t and no matter how many time you tried it there was no way it would start? Squirt a little fuel down each throttle body and…

When i fitted up the throttle linkage on the Manta A i found that the standard Webcon linkage control lever that connects the two throttle bodies together it was too short to reach the second throttle body? I contacted webcon and they said they only did the one kit and that was a standard size! So after lots of Googleing and no luck i decided to get a bit welded onto the standard one as it seemed the only option. So £10 later i pick the control lever up from the welders, and well what can i say! i could…

So, we learn things as we go along and i have been learning quite a few things lately! So my first was to read a lot about things you are not sure on, like priming the oil pump gears! The second is to read up and maybe post a tech question on the opel forum. As the cunning plan for the mini rack has come foul of me not reading enough before deciding on that route, buying a new mini rack and ordering a conversion UJ from the US for it to find that as the steering arm pivot position…

So while i wait for the throttle linkage part that im having modified to come back i have turned my attention to sorting out the other bits like steering, front brakes, clutch and lights. First up steering: New mini rack that fits perfectly (or will when i have some mounting brackets made up) Here are my mock-up ones 🙂 (pic below) and the steering output is just in the right place to hook up and miss the manifold. Im having to get a joint that goes from 9/16 36 spline to 3/4 DD to match the mini steering output to…

Just a quick post on Priming the Opel Manta CIH engine after a re-build. I have learnt the slightly hard way! so thought i would post my conclusions on priming your oil pump gears/system. I did a google and found lots of info saying prime the oil pump gears before startup, but not much on how to do it. There was one or two bits of info on getting a long screwdriver and chopping the top off and then popping that in a drill, removing the distributor and popping that into the slot from where the distributor fits in (which is…

So the ECU is all working and were getting some readings, we have fuel, we have some good compression, we have a spark and it looks like the timing is all ok. But not fuel from the injectors at the moment 🙁 So its going to have to be a call to webcon in the morning to try and figure out why! I think we might need to work out how to test the injectors are getting a trigger to them. Maybe next time.  

Well, finally the loom is all wrapped and back in and i have fitted a new (extra) fuse box. I had one of these on originally but it was a bit loose on the fittings, so a quick google and a new one fitted. I have it mounted to the base of the original fuse box and have taken a live feed that is switch and a live non-switched feed so it give me 2 extra fuse takeoffs for each supply. So i have one for the ECU and a couple to run the electric fans, as i will be…

While i was removing some old wires from previously unused things like the old air horn and alarm i decided it would be a good idea to have a little tidy of the wiring. So steering column out and instrument panel as well so i could get all the bits. What a mess!! so many unwanted wires from the old immobiliser! so a good strip out and label up of everything ready for the re-wrap. Then i started looking for some loom wrap and wanted the split stuff to make it easier if i did need to do any changes….

Managed to get a morning on the car and i have fitted a few more Gates clamps, they are just so easy to fit! I love them. So i now have all the water hoses fitted and i am now just need to do a quick check over the engine and make sure everything is all nice and tight and then its just one or two little bits and the last bit will be to connect up the main live ignition feed to the new injection loom and we are on for a go at starting her up. #NotLongNow I…