1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Any questions or suggestions regarding restorations
User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Wed 01 Nov 2017, 16:24

Have at last got the brakes up! Replaced 4 pot seals and buffed each pot to a shine! Pressure now OK! I am Mobile!!! :D

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Wed 01 Nov 2017, 21:17

Johann66 wrote:
Wed 01 Nov 2017, 16:24
Have at last got the brakes up! Replaced 4 pot seals and buffed each pot to a shine! Pressure now OK! I am Mobile!!! :D
Refitted the original 13" calipers. The 14" Opel Rekord calipers caused the car to increase it's turning circle, poor mobility! They are too big!
Nice set of 14" calipers for sale for R400.Collect!
ASCF0002.JPG
13" Opel Caliper
ASCF0002.JPG (309.11 KiB) Viewed 8613 times
DSC_0003.JPG
14 " Opel Caliber
DSC_0003.JPG (279.92 KiB) Viewed 8613 times

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Fri 03 Nov 2017, 17:09

Johann66 wrote:
Wed 01 Nov 2017, 21:17
Johann66 wrote:
Wed 01 Nov 2017, 16:24
Have at last got the brakes up! Replaced 4 pot seals and buffed each pot to a shine! Pressure now OK! I am Mobile!!! :D
Refitted the original 13" calipers. The 14" Opel Rekord calipers caused the car to increase it's turning circle, poor mobility! They are too big!
Nice set of 14" calipers for sale for R400.Collect!
ASCF0002.JPG
DSC_0003.JPG
Have been driving around and allowed the pads to seat themselves! Removed the spacer rod from the Master cylinder, Not a drop of brake fluid to be found! Best brakes!

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Sat 04 Nov 2017, 19:47

Just a piece of History! Only about 400 of this Rekord B with the Mckinnon engine were built at GMSA! May have been slightly more!
Here is a condensed report on the 1965/6 Opel Rekord and the "Very Few" McKinnon engine Locally built Rekords
The wiring and regulators were are "Made in Canada" and not Adam Opel like the "Real" Opel's!!
Enjoy the reading!

The Rekord B can be seen as a cross-over model and an emergency response: Opel had originally intended to launch their all new generation of four cylinder engines in an all new Opel Rekord, but as the scheduled launch data approached it became clear that while the new engines would be ready for a 1965 launch, other key elements for the new models would not. With the marketing department and dealers geared up for a new model, the decision was therefore taken to present the new engines in what was essentially the old body, albeit with certain styling cues that adumbrated the new model that in the event would appear a year later.

The Rekord B therefore featured the (then highly unusual) rectangular headlights that would be a feature of the 1966 Rekord C, as well as similar patterns of exterior chrome decoration.

At the back the traditional rectangular light groupings of the Rekord A were, for the Rekord B, replaced with four bold round light units similar to those planned for the forthcoming Opel GT.

The interior design and even the colour and trim options were only mildly modified for the Rekord B. Rekord Bs rolled down the Rüsselsheim production lines for rather less than a year between late Summer 1965 and mid Summer 1966.

All models now came with disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the back, controlled using a dual circuit system and brake booster.

The standard transmission package for the saloon/sedan and estate/station wagon bodied Rekord Bs featured a manual all-synchromesh gearbox, controlled by a column mounted lever. Customers could choose between three or four forward speeds.

Coupé buyers found the four speed manual transmission, but controlled using a centrally positioned floor mounted gear lever, included in the price.

Earlier models had carried the name "Opel Olympia Rekord", and although this had been shortened to "Opel Rekord" in 1959, Opel retained an attachment to the Olympia name. levels that the 1966 Rekord based Opel Olympia was the last Opel for which it was necessary to pay extra if you wanted your car fitted with a heater.
The Rekord B was produced between 1965 and 1966 for approximately ten months. During this period 296,627 were produced.

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Sun 05 Nov 2017, 22:20

Went to Kirk with the Opel and enjoyed the following! Brake system has improved as the pads have become seated, No sign of any brake fluid leaking! The speedometer in MPH is inline with the indicated GPS in KPH! Very happy! Here is a pic of the restored 1965 front calipers! Don't want to see a leaking caliper for a long time! 8O :roll:
DSCF3650.JPG
Restored caliper
DSCF3650.JPG (321.79 KiB) Viewed 8553 times

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Tue 07 Nov 2017, 21:25

Drove to my ex-Company to arrange for some graphite powder. Best lubricant!
Want too see how much I can get! Black Gold! Appointment tomorrow!
Plant is shutting down completely!
Brakes are behaving, wheel alignment gives great roadholding and stability!
New tires show no sign of skew wear! All smooth!

Should get good speed! At 50MpH revs are 1950 = 80KpH!
Calculation: 41 Kph for every 1000Rpm. Looks ok!
Therefore 3000 Rpm = 123 KpH
Max Rpm: 4250 Rpm = 174 Kph.
Very Similar to my Ranger SS!!!
Jako, does this look correct?
DSC_0004.JPG
DSC_0004.JPG (412.97 KiB) Viewed 8528 times

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Wed 08 Nov 2017, 15:45

Got a fair amount of graphite fine dust! Contemplating getting another batch!!
Coming home I took the Opel up to 70 Mph and am a happy chappie!
Gave great roadholding and stability! I must verify my RPM calculation!
Speedo reading appears to have little error!
At 50MpH revs are 1950 = 80KpH!
Calculation:
41 Kph for every 1000 Rpm ok!
Therefore 3000 Rpm = 123 KpH
Max Rpm: 4250 Rpm = 174 Kph.
Very Similar to my Ranger SS!!!

Getting a bit of over-ignition at switching off but no overheating! Any possible answer please!

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Thu 16 Nov 2017, 17:56

[quoteShould get good speed! At 50MpH revs are 1950 = 80KpH![/quote]
This was as close as dammit!!
Rechecked on GPS and found @ 50 MpH is 2000 RpM
Formula 50 Mph with 28" (600mm) = 1945 RpM.
Therefore Gear ratio = 3.24.
:D

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Sat 18 Nov 2017, 23:15

It never rains but it pours!! The Opel 2.5 exhaust manifold where joined to the exhaust must have a pipe fitting that joins the exhaust to the manifold with a metal seating ring! My car was fitted without that pipe and ring resulting in the manifold breaking off at the exhaust fitting! Just when I thought all is Ok! to go on the road! :( :roll: :mrgreen: Now I must repair the manifold! Unfortunately the second one also requires some attention!
When I assembled the inlet and exhaust manifold, I used Copper Lube! Means no broken gaskets!
DSCF3658.JPG
Clamp section
DSCF3658.JPG (348.44 KiB) Viewed 8445 times
DSCF3655.JPG
Manifold
DSCF3655.JPG (259.18 KiB) Viewed 8445 times

User avatar
Johann66
Posts: 248
Joined: Fri 14 Apr 2017, 13:21

Re: 1965/66 Opel Rekord L Rally GMSA

Post by Johann66 » Sat 16 Dec 2017, 18:29

Feedback on the brakes and exhaust! More than a month since renovating the complete brake system by myself! Not a drop of brake fluid leaking anywhere! The exhaust manifold was repaired by Johan from Triangle Exhaust. My most difficult part was to refit the complete exhaust system! Here is a pic of the manifold and Johan's quality work!
DSCF3665[1].JPG
Manifols
DSCF3665[1].JPG (275.21 KiB) Viewed 8369 times

Post Reply

Social Media

     

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests