Manta Mal Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi to all you guys and I guess a few girls out there? I\'m Malcolm from Essex. Here is a brief history recap, before I get down to the restoration business........ I have always been into Manta\'s. The first Manta \'A\' I owned and drove, was in the early 70\'s, when the Manta \'A\' was still in production. The car was only 2 years old, cost me £975 ( A lot of cash back then). Magic car...used it daily and for several camping holidays over a 3 year period before selling it on. Here is a photo of the actual car.... In the early 90\'s I was thinking of restoring a car, the Manta \'A\' being an obvious choice. Soon after, too soon as it turned out, I bought a blue Manta SR. On closer inspection at home, was in far worse condition than I was led to believe. Also at the time it was just stored on open ground, not to be advised as the damp from below made matters worse. In the end after much thought, I decided to salvaged as many parts off it, that I could store in my shed, then find a better example. I drove the remains to the scrap yard and took this sad final photo... <!-- s:cry --><!-- s:cry --> The above experience did not put me off my dream restoration, It just made me more determined to select the right car to restore. Over the next 10 years, I attended Billing several times to see what level of restoration could be achieved. It was not until 2003 that I made a purchase of this project Manta \'A\'. <!-- s:D --><!-- s:D --> The car is not mint but does have straight panels apart from one ding on the rear corner. However will need front wings, valance, sills etc. Here are the panels I have been collected over a period of about 12 years, must be worth more than the car! I intend replacing the engine with a 16v, so the orignal engine, which burns oil, was taken apart out of the bay a piece at a time. Will post next stage photo\'s in a couple of days.....any feedback from you guys out there, will be welcome. Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it\'s too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi Paul, thanks for your reply, believe me the wings were shot, rusted from inside out, no longer have them. Part of my 12 year parts collection of parts, was to receive the cam wheel pully, from you (if i have the right Paul from the lands End part of the country?), to drive the dizzy from the front of the 16v, you will see it in later posts....Cheers Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 [] Great to have another A series project Mal, you most likely will find more rust when you start stripping but never worry about that, It,s all fun and nothing that cant be sorted. You prob know all there is to know about the manta but if we can help with anything just shout [] If your thinking of putting a spoiler on the front I wouldnt worry about replacing the front valance as you dont need much of it. I normally chop most of it off so I can get behind it to do any repairs [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi simon p, have read with interest your previous posts, would like to see your workshop sometime, if invited, as I am not far from you in Essex. Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi Mal, not far away at all. Where abouts in Essex?, you're more than welcome to come up anytime, I have a couple of A's in at the moment that you may find interesting as well as some B's too. Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 16, 2007 Author Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi Robbie...... "The Icon of Manta restorer's" ( plus a few other's out there!)Am not sure if I will achieve a rebuild to you standard you have set, but will try my best and hope to encourage other Manta restorer's with less skills, to achieve a presentable level restoration and self satisfaction. Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 The cam pulley......that was a while ago !! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL9gdWQe3rM ---paulnewport "at" breathe.com--- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 [:I] Dunno about that I,m sure you do just fine and as long as the car is rust free it will be about for a long time to come and you,ll feel great in saving it [^] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 19, 2007 Author Share Posted January 19, 2007 MANTA RESTORE PART 2........... Ok guy's, thought it's time to post the next stage. Please note, the following work was done over about 2 months, mostly at weekends. The engine bay now almost stripped out. No nasty suprises here, even the battery tray is good, had not leaked any acid through to the fuse box inside cabin. No holes in the seams or in the fire wall. So very good news so far. <!-- s:D --><!-- s:D --> The nose panel, seen here on the ground, was not too bad on the painted part. The bad rusted area's, were the very far left and far right hand ends, flat-ish steel that hooks under the wing. As I had a whole new nose panel anyway, I decided to replace it, but not just yet as............... <!-- s:hmmm --><!-- s:hmmm --> My attention was then drawn to the stepped panel, thats just behind the front bumper. It was badly rusted where the bumper mounting bars come through. Had a quick look on the Dr.Manta site, could only find repair sections at a high price. As I wanted to replace all, well most of the panel, I decided to make one out of sheet steel. I do not have any special, cutting or folding machines, just have an electric jigsaw and pieces of angle iron. First I cut a card template, then marked out, including the fold lines, on 1mm sheet steel. Then with ear defenders and glasses on, cut out the whole piece. The first folds were then made with angle iron in the vice and the second fold was made by clamping to the edge of the work bench. You can also see the tabs bent over to allow the bumper mount bars through, these were latter ground off. Here you see the rusted original, part of the card template and the final panel. Took about 5 hours to make. This final photo in Part 2, shows the home made step panel and the purchased nose panel welded in place. Will post next part ,inner wing repair etc, in a week or so. Any feedback from your guys would be appreciated. Cheers! Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantaray Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 That is one very nice home made panel ! [] Well in pressed. Chris Membership Sec. OMOC 2150 http://www.mantacentral.co.uk ( The Midlands Area Web Site) ......................... Before Now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 That is a really nice piece of fabrication. Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Mal thats fantastic work, really 1st class, that car is going to be a beauty [^][^] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 ... ed&search= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entwistlecymru Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Ai that's a nice bit of folding. Yet another shiny Manta in the making [] OMOC #5826..... 79 SRB coupe - 'interesting project', 79 Cav saloon - 16v sleeper, 1989 Senator CD - I've been converted! But it's for sale! Yakshimash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian N Posted January 19, 2007 Share Posted January 19, 2007 Thats one well bit of sheet steel!, I really miss doing stuff like that, good fun seeing things forming before your eyes and its you doing it! Good luck with the project [] Sills?, what are those bits of rust laying on the floor then? BOJ, Jodie, Chicken$h!t Spares, Racer in waiting, GONE! [] OMOC 5714 http://www.clockservicing.co.uk/ For any clock repairs try here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pma Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Fair play to you Mal,you did that cracking bit of fabrication with a jig saw,hammer and a bit of angle iron,you clever sod!!well done mate!! Paul Ansell omoc 5963 (Birmingham) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 That is a cracking wee bit of manufacturing. Fancy making me a spare wheel well and some wheel arches? [] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OMOC #5988 I hae a few guid reasons for drinkin’ And yin juist entered ma heid If a man canna’ drink while he’s livin’ Hoo the Hell can he drink when he’s deid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opel2000 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Well if that bit of fabricating is anything to go by then this looks as though it is going to be a very good topic to keep an eye on. So pleasing to see people using and combing common sense and a bit of skill, top looking job so far mate. East Midlands area Rep. email opel2000@ntlworld.com Shiny bits http://www.customsolutions.me.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 21, 2007 Author Share Posted January 21, 2007 Wow.....thanks for all that feedback, from you Manta guys, about my metal folding exercise. Its basic stuff really, I just spend lots of time getting the card template right, then be careful to fold the metal in the right direction, it's easy to get this wrong, when at times, the sheet steel is in the vice, upside down and reversed. Having different size square bar and angle iron also helps. Shug mentioned making wheel arches and spare wheel well,..... gulp! thats a different kettle of fish altogether, as the steel is not just folded, but has curves formed in 2 or more directions! Cheers! Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantai200 Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Top class piece of metal forming mate. Looks like you are going to have one sweet looking A Series when it's done if you carry on like that.[] International Liason Officer Green 24v A Series Blue 1.9 Opel GT Red 1.9 Opel GT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 MANTA RESTORE PART 3 Ok straight down to business...with the front nose and step panels all welded in place,it was time to sort out the inner wings. The following work was done over several weekends. I would say about 80% of the inner wing panels, were solid. The worst part can be seen above, where inner wing meets the headlight mount. Also to whole length of the top lip, where the wing bolts on, was also very thin. A repair section was made, for both sides in the usual way, with a card template then cut from 1mm sheet steel with the jigsaw. The top edge has a 90 degree fold to reinforce to top lip that the wing sits on. The rest curves round towards to chassis rails. A stepped join, rather than overlap, would have been better used here, but after a seam weld and a small amount of filler, the join was near invisible. This is the view from the other side of that same repair section. I spent a long time thinking of how to finish it off. I could have just trimmed the rust edge back and try to seam weld. Then fibreglass came to mind[:0]. Shock horror!!!.......... To be honest, I cringed at the thought of using fibreglass, but here it seemed to be justified, as it will form to the shape, add strength and seal the whole area to keep water out. At the end of the day, it will be out of sight under the wing anyway, so I think I can live with it. In the black area, you can see where the fibreglass was applied on the right side. The black area on the left was solid, even the box reinforcing section, just needed a wire brush down and the surface rust cured. On the far side (where the wire brush handle is pointing to), you can see the rear half of the inner wing, which was also plated. This was not strictly necessary, as that part of the panel was fairly solid, but I would rather do extra work now, than have it rust through in a year or two, then go for a repaint. In this final photo of part 3, you can see all the original paint has been stripped, any surface rust cured, then a small amount of filler was used. Will post work on the sills etc, in a week or so. Any feedback from you guys would be appreciated. Cheers! Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Mal great work and that car is coming on really well, loads of hard work and effort there [^]A question or two if you dont mind why did you drill holes in the inner wing to bulkhead box section. what way did you prep the inner wing before painting and what type of black paint did u use. http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 ... ed&search= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hi Robbie, Thanks for your reply, any questions are welcome[] The holes in the bulkhead box will be plugged after injecting with wax oil, a hole at each end would have been enough, just got a bit carried away. For panel prep, on wheel arch and under the car, the surface rust area's were cleaned off with a twisted wire brush powered by the angle grinder. Any remaining surface rust was treated with hammerite Kurust, followerd by a zinc rich primer. The black paint is just a thin coat to see what the metal and fibreglass finish looks like, still needs some work. Not sure how far to go with the paint system, on wheel arch and under the car. On my work bench, I have several scraps of steel sheet, sprayed with stone chip then black hammerite satin etc. I will not be doing mega amounts of miles each year and also intend fitting wheel arch liners. I keep looking at your photo's, with that professional finish you have achieved, under the car using stone chip and 2k paint[8D]. Will give this option some more thought. On the top side of the car, the yellow primer filler, again is just sprayed on from a rattle can, so I can see if it looks right. Most will be sanded off before it goes to the 2k paint shop. Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 It wont rust for sure Mal, on the box section what I do is drill a 20mm hole (engine bay side) this allows the dinitrol to be injected right around the box second. I close the hole with a 20mm grommet, this means its easy to get back anytime to top up and the grommets are tidy enough looking. I didnt know you could get wheel arch liners for the A or do you intend making a set. http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 ... ed&search= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Mal Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hi Robbie.....yes having grommets, to allow top up of the anti rust treatment does make sence, I should have been on this forum from the start, with all this helpful advice. I mentioned wax oil, a lot of guys do seem to use Dinitrol. I was going to cut a section of a lorry tyre and fit up in the arch as a wheel arch liner LOL!...not realy, emmmmmmmmm has that been tried before[?] My neighbour works in a car repair garage, he has offered to bring home a selection of used wheel arch liners, which are replaced during repairs. When I find one that fits the rear and the front, with the mimimum of work, will track down a set from the breakers or possibly buy new. Cheers. Mal.....OMOC #6022 Start your Manta restoration today........ before it's too late! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 let me know what linners you end up with Mal, may pop a set on the black one for the rustproofing have a read at this, need to update it a bit as i forgot to pop some bits in http://www.mantamagic.com/Rust%20proofing.htm http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 ... ed&search= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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