Opel Commodore B with a BMW flavour

[AVI_8]

Got it running but very short lived, had a small fire occur. Luckily got to it pretty quick to put it out.
Gutted as looks like it’s melted a lot of wiring.

I must have trapped a wire somewhere when wrestling the starter out.
These opels don’t run any relays, direct power to switches.

I’ll get to it today to trace back the damage.

It does sound the nuts though! Can’t wait to have a blast. Fire straight away with no hesitation

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Jeez, you should never work on a starter or alternator without disconnecting the battery. I hope you can get a loom and plugs.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Gave the home brew brake a cleanup last light and a lick of gloss. May aswell as it’s off. The way this thing is going to get done. But by bit but keep it mobile

 

[Paulbarrett]

Jeez, you should never work on a starter or alternator without disconnecting the battery. I hope you can get a loom and plugs.

Battery was always disconnected when working on it.
Cable was trapped whilst installing starter.
It’s very tight in there.
I’m putting a free things right as I find them.

 

[Parm]

looks like a beast, will come have a look one day

 

[Paulbarrett]

looks like a beast, will come have a look one day

For sure mate welcome anytime I’m at the den

 

[Paulbarrett]

Been ticking along with this one.

Rad is back in with a lick of VHT Matt black, washed out the expansion bottle, new bolts and polishes spacers. New electric fan installed just Wai muting for thermostat switch to arrive. Some new silicon hoses too.

Rebuilt power steering pump back in. Gave the home brew bracket a clean up and kick of black.

Stripped out the lights and bits to get acces to rusty areas. Buzzed back and treated with acid to neutralize.

I’m installing a new lighting mini loom with relays to take the load off the new switch when it arrives.

Battery is going in the cavernous boot.

Also found a swimming pool in the rear quarter, about a litre of water ejected. I will get a heater on that area next to dry it out thoroughly before throwing a gallon of cavity wax in there

 

[Paulbarrett]

Fountain!

 

[Bullet2012]

Looking good, have you driven it yet ?

 

[Chippie]

It’s very reminiscent of the 1980’s Chevrolet 2.5 that I had in South Africa…nice car/engine but for a 2.5 straight 4 it lacked power, being 5000 feet above sea level…

 

[Paulbarrett]

Looking good, have you driven it yet ?

I’ve only started.
I have a few friends that have been in it and said it’s pretty wild lol.

 

[Blobber]

Fountain!

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Boot seal or rear lamp gaskets or dont you know yet?

 

[Bobupndown]

Had to cut 8 gearbox crossmember bolts off under my Disco 2 with a dremmel, couldn't get at them with 4 1/2" grinder. That was a long job and multiple discs used.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Had to cut 8 gearbox crossmember bolts off under my Disco 2 with a dremmel, couldn't get at them with 4 1/2" grinder. That was a long job and multiple discs used.

But what a tool

 

[Paulbarrett]

Grabbed a few hours today. Cracking on moving the main battery cabling. Installed a proper fused unit to mange the power- engine loom, main car loom, electric fan and headlights.
I’ve used a relay loom for the headlights
Re routed the loom to tidy the bay. Removed cabling that isn’t need and damaged. The car had headlight washer and spot light cabling.

With that the air inlet now faces the front and not at a weird angle to avoid the battery which now will be in the boot.

Also installed the electric fan and controller. Some new hoses too. The previous was a fairly decent hash but now improved. New shiny stainless radiator cap, the original had a pin hole.

Washer bottle next. Picked up a Renault! One that I was hoping would go in the scuttle area but no good.
So it will live on the fire wall with some trimming and a few brackets.

Want to get it all running then I can dismantle to paint engine bay and front panel. Some bits to weld too.

I’ve tracked down a front spoiler in Germany so will do that at the same time as the bay.

 

[Bullet2012]

Starting to look good, but where are you going to mount the supercharger?

 

[Paulbarrett]

Starting to look good, but where are you going to mount the supercharger?

Well……

There is a method to spending all this timing moving things out the way.
It seems the m50 is pretty easy to turbo. My only tight sept is the brake servo.
For now just want to get it up and running well and sort the scabby bits on the body. Won’t be a minter but a useable daily classic.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Plugging away at this with the wiring still.

I’m off on hols for two weeks this weekend so won’t be much of an update until return.

I have secured some very rare wheels for it to put my own stance on it. Compomotive split rims. I I’ll need a refurb but couldn’t resist.
16x7 ina decent offers that will clear the arches better than what’s on it.

Also having some rear coilovers made in 1.9” to fit in existing shock position. 4 inches shorter than existing shocks and fully adjustable. I will eventually reinforce the top and bottom mounts as I know they are not designed for the loads, I have done the same years ago on x2 Vauxhall novas and never had any issues or reinforcement for that matter…: but this is a heavier car.

Also located a much better front grill in Finland and GS grill badge less than £100 shipped so I’m pleased with that.

 

[Exuptoy]

Love it.
Love the idea of a proper engine in there. I knew of a Opel Kadett Coupe (was my first car so got a thing for them) that was running the 3.0 Monza lump. Was rapid but only wanted to go straight in the corners with that huge cast iron lump.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Love it.
Love the idea of a proper engine in there. I knew of a Opel Kadett Coupe (was my first car so got a thing for them) that was running the 3.0 Monza lump. Was rapid but only wanted to go straight in the corners with that huge cast iron lump.

Yeah the 30ne is a heavy anchor but pretty bull it proof. I have one built with forged pistons etc for my commodore A, but seriously thinking of going LS v8 with that now

 

[Exuptoy]

Love the LS. Think @jsf55 has one in his Hot Rod. Nicest sound I’ve ever heard in a car.