droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) taken delivery of the manta today, a bit gutted really, found out the rattle that was just from cold not when warm in the listing, is a constant rattle from the gearbox or torque converter, sounds like something is lose at certain revs. i do not no anything about auto boxes, but the guy who delivered the car said it was a broken cracked torque converter, wish he would have said that in the listing, also he said the interior is mint, and its not. the door cards are thread bare the rear seat is really faded, so a bit gutted,, also can anyone tell me if there is a knack to starting the mantas fitted with a varejet carb, as the only way i can start it at the moment is full throttle with choke on, it runs fine once started, but difficult to start, the gearbox does not drive right at all, really jerky when pulling away, im trying to work out what my best option is with the gearbox issue, i wanted a manual, but more importantly at the moment it has to be the cheapest option, fit another auto box / torque converter or change to a manual, it has to be the cheapest option because my wife is going mad. does anyone no which number is my paint code from my chassis plate, L 500 OR SS 145 the car looks to be a burnt a orange / red oxide primer type colour it is my own fault for not viewing before i bought it, but the guy seemed quite honest, so i can only blame my self i was just trying to save some money, also there are manta owners club stickers over the car, has anyone in the club got any history on the car. [url=http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/lukest Edited February 19, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta78 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Sorry To Hera About This On My B I Have To Press The Throttle 3 Times And Then It Starts Easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 It is a problem when you do not view a car, I purchased mine the same as you with not viewing it first, I am afraid as a certain actor in a certain film once said opinions are like A.......s!! we all have them, look on the positive you have a very nice Manta there and it is a lot better than mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Still think you have got value for money. Top of the rear seat faded? they all do and everyone just lives with that, same thing with the door cards, the interior is still in good condition compared to a lot of old and unrestored cars of this age the gearbox issue is actually a blessing in disguise. the three speed while OK for trundling to the pub or local car show on a sunday, but quickly becomes a pain on long journeys, the engine buzzing at high revs all the time. If you are faced with spending money on the gearbox don't bother repairing the three speed unless you must have total originality. If you want to retain the Auto then the four speed box from Six cylinder Monza or Carlton is the one to go for ( later Carltons have more electrics but still 'do'able' ) this is excatly what i intend to do with my Manta pictured left and my friend Simon modified his Commadore A this way and it transformed the car, able to cruise on motorways at 70mph without 'buzzing' and was over 10mpg better on fuel !! If you want to go manual then a five speed box has been done many times and is not hard, when changing from auto the mounting bracket at the rear of the box even uses the same mounting points !! i have done this with a MK 1 Cavalier ( essentially the same car ) i used the five speed gearstick and center consol, but it is possible to use a four speed gearstick to keep the interior looking completely original. Parts might need some searching, i have several five speed boxes and your welcome to one, third peddle and prop shaft etc you might be able to get from a wanted add or people breaking Manta's, you could have your prop made longer but this is expensive. I stand to be corrected but i think the L500 is the paint code ( signal red ?? ) and the SS145 is probably the trim code. As for the starting issue's, the varijet carb has not got a good reputation, if you are not worried about total originallity keep a look out for a replacement Weber carb, they come up from time to time and they are simpler and more reliable. Don't dispair, you have a good Manta, true it does need work but much less than many Manta's that are being restored here. the over all cost will be a lot less than many Manta's ( including mine on the left, which is now in it's second restoration despite looking good when i first bought it 11 years ago !! ) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony g Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 If you decide to stay auto I have one in my A series that works that will be for sale as soon as I get it removed. But before that, check the torque converter nuts (or bolts) where it is held to the flexplate. Should be accessible from the bottom. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) thanks for all your sound advice. i have spent the afternoon polishing and cleaning the car and it looks much nicer now. im thinking of getting some red dylon, then going over the seat backs with a real watered down mix to get the colour back gradually, also it has lots of manta owners club stickers on it, hoping someone has some info on the car with it being a club car. i will jack it up and take a look at the torque converter bolts, hope its something simple. the 4 speed gearbox sounds great, but i was just thinking of the easiest cheapest option to get me on the road, i really need a second car, as just sold my strada. i can do the body work quick, but im not the best mechanic so the simpler the job the better, i was hoping there would not be much mechanical work to do, im better at body work, is the a series box the same? has anyone got a 3 speed auto box, and a torque converter, they want to get rid of [url=http://s1333.photobucket.com/user/lukestradaabarth/media/Picture2582_zps9aef3783.jpg.html] Edited February 19, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 If you do want to change to a manual I have a pedal box you can have for free. Well the price of postage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Looks like a relatively good early b. I have an auto box here with torque converter available for a b series, been keeping it for mine but will let it go if will help a fellow member Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 i may need the pedal box if i can not get a 3 speed, just jacked it up to have a look under the box and all looks mint, getting happier now, i have looked underneath the car, no leaks, there is a little plastic inspection cover on the box, i had a quick look in there, but i can not see much through there i could feel what i think is the torque converter but all seams ok, there is also a tin cover on the back of the box. i will pull that of the weekend, to take a look further. Im really surprised that there is a mechanical problem because mechanically it all looks great, the oils are clean no leaks looks great, im wondering if someone has tried towing the auto and done some damage to the box, , im hoping someone has changed there auto to a manual box and have there auto left over, so i could just take my box and torque converter out and fit the new one straight in. if there is no 3 speeds available i will have to look at the other options that have been mentioned. but i would like to keep it original for now. if possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) Looks like a relatively good early b. I have an auto box here with torque converter available for a b series, been keeping it for mine but will let it go if will help a fellow member thanks im hoping someone has a box that is not wanted, i would not want to buy a box then you may need it latter. thanks for your generous offer, if i get stuck i may have to have yours Edited February 19, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) Honestly, make me an offer , it's been sat here couple of years, I bought it along with the car, and mine is good, I don't do more than 1k miles a year. Edited February 19, 2015 by Paul Barrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) Honestly, make me an offer , it's been sat here couple of years, I bought it along with the car, and mine is good, I don't do more than 1k miles a year. hi im new to the manta seen so do not no what they are worth.. also do you no if the box is ok because it looks quite a big job to fit, Edited February 19, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) If it's not good then I'd happily refund. Rapierdave on here is who it is from, I'm sure he can confirm its history possibly. Edited February 19, 2015 by Paul Barrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 If it's not good then I'd happily refund. Rapierdave on here is who it is from, I'm sure he can confirm its history possibly. ok sounds great, can you give me a price, regards Russ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Easiest way of going manual is the 4 speed box (and correct for that car if originality is your bag) You have the offer of a manual pedal box. I have a good 4 speed box and prop you can collect for free (think the 4 speed prop is the same as auto so you might be OK) Clutch Clutch cable 4 speed console (two a penny) Speedo cable is the same You will need a flywheel and spigot bearing (I ain't got any of those sorry) Or Have Paul's auto box Only do any of the above once you have checked the flex plate and torque convertor are OK, you might be able to fix what you have already got! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) Easiest way of going manual is the 4 speed box (and correct for that car if originality is your bag) You have the offer of a manual pedal box. I have a good 4 speed box and prop you can collect for free (think the 4 speed prop is the same as auto so you might be OK) Clutch Clutch cable 4 speed console (two a penny) Speedo cable is the same You will need a flywheel and spigot bearing (I ain't got any of those sorry) Or Have Paul's auto box Only do any of the above once you have checked the flex plate and torque convertor are OK, you might be able to fix what you have already got! thanks for your advice and offers, how do i check the flex plate and torque converter, what am i looking for, does the gearbox need to come of to check these things, sorry if i sound stupid but never touched an auto box before. im getting the auto box of Paul sunday is the auto box heavy because all i have is a set of drive up ramps, could i remove it lying on my back. i changed a chevette manual gearbox when i was a kid. that was ok Edited February 19, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) I'm getting the auto box and torque converter of Paul Sunday, Can I change all this from underneath the car without taking the engine out. I have never touched an auto box before, so do not no what is the best way. is it difficult to reset the kick down cable up I can now get my hands on an engine lift, so if that is the best way to go, i will take the engine out. will it be better to take the engine out and leave the box in and just change the torque converter, just encase the box is ok, and its just the torque converter at fault. Edited February 20, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZYDAVE Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I agree with Mantamans opinion you did get a good buy and a very original car And if bodyworks your thing a Manta is the car for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 Thanks I'm really happy with the car now, I was just a bit worried at the time, thinking I may struggle to get a gearbox, but now I have all the options, from everyone, I'm well chuffed, collecting the wing today from evo3000 Jase, collecting box and torque converter from Paul Sunday. I have ordered 2 sills of ebay today £27 each plus £10 postage, Got the paint, and the match is pretty good, the paint code is opel 500 flamenco rot, I have got to get my mig welder back as I lent it out to someone, and never got it back, when I get that back I'm ready to go, So hopefully this week I will have some more photos to add 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyp Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Regarding the sills from ebay.... are there any more available.. if so can you give me the link... thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 (edited) Hi the link is here. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271774317855?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT And left one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281597738539?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Edited February 21, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 I think Retro Power will usually do parts a little cheaper if you deal with them direct rather than through ebay as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 thanks to James, Jase, and Paul, got the wings wheels and gearbox now, ready to crack on, i have got the day of work tomorrow so going to have a good go at it, see what i can do, 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droop snoot hp firenza Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) Jason gave me some mint wings but i will return them to him, as i decided to keep the wings that are on the car, because apart from the tops they are mint, and the panel gaps are perfect, so cut the rust out of the wing today, welded a new piece in just started filling, hopefully get it painted in the morning, Edited February 23, 2015 by droop snoot hp firenza 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Quick mover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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