1985 Opel Monza 3.0 GSE

Just got finished. New electric fan fitted as it was getting a bit hot at the last autotest.
Got all my tyres swapped on rims swapped over.
Its been idling very low and even cutting out recently so quick investigation found an air leak from the air flow meter to plenum pipe(pipe has split). Taped up for now but I will have to replace asap.
Fitted new plugs, plug leads and alternator belt. And fitted a new rear exhaut mount.
See how I get on with it tomorrow.

Been autotesting again today.
Noticed the Monza seemed to be developing a bit too much negative camber on the passenger side front so jacked it up and inspected and found a bit of play on the wheel bearing so I put it down to that.

When I got it home decided to investigate a bit further and found this...

Neggy camber

Bad fitting bonnet (touch of foreboding as I know what to expect next)







Strut top has started to break away from the inner wing

Common ailment for Monzas mine and alot of them get scrapped because of it.
It seemed pretty solid and it had been welded up before I got it, obviously the welding wasnt great and the abuse I have given it didnt help matters.



Passenger side starting to go as well

Need to get it in the garage, get it stripped down and repaired. Welding and reinforcing isnt the problem but getting it all lined up again is gonna be a b*gg*r.
Biscuits
Need to hurry to get it down to a decent standard before C.A.R.S. as I don't want to bodge it.

One vid from the autotest here
video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8897224451154045547

Right well I got it moved into the garage tonight after a right on moving other vehicles. As its probably going to be in the garage for a couple of weeks I decided to bring my frontera in to do some work on (none runner due to factory fit immobiliser ECU located somewhere behind the dashboard). The other problem being the back brakes were locked on solid.
I had to use my trooper in the low box to drag the frontera and the back wheels were totally locked and just scrubbing the tyres. Dragged it up the drive then put a trolley jack under the diff to use as a dolly so I could push it were I needed it then wheels off, discs off and got the shoes freed off again (drum in disk).
Then rolled it back down the drive moved the MX-5 out of the garage. Got the Monza towed the frontera back in then pulled monza in the garage. Then had to do some work on the suspension on my dads Xantia.

So with all jobs done I am ready to crack on tomorrow night.

Thanks once again to Bstardchild for a very good set of pictures showing some other inner wing and strut top repairs.

Very NIce don't seem to see many around these days.

Got my alternator belt tightened up correctly last night and started making a front strut brace needs a number of bends to clear plenum and brake servo so I am not sure how effective it is gonna be when complete.

Decided to put my Koni dampers on the back as my standard ones are basically shot and the cars is driving in a Hawai 5-0 style.
Old


New


Adjustable for rebound only and compression is about the same as standard but as my old ones are no where near standard now it should be quite a bit more controlled.
Running it at around 3/4 maximum. Havent tried it on the road yet but there is a gymkhana type autotest tomorrow night so it will get its chance then.

Oh I needed that! Three days of driving a Leyland Daf 400 sort of leaves you yearning for a fiesty six pot petrol engine rather than diesel clatter!

looking forward to seeing it on sunday

I like that car!!!

Lovely Car Dude. Read from the start. Strut tops must have been a curse word!

Very nice, obligitory to see a Monza sideways at a rally over here!

keep it up