1973 OPEL GT-R checking oil

6A- 161973 OPEL SERVICE MANUALInspection of Connecting Rod Bearings and
Crankshaft JournalsRemove oil pan.
After removal of oil pan, disconnect two connecting
rods at a time from crankshaft and inspect the bear-
ings and crankpin journals. While,tuming crankshaft
it is necessary to
t&porarily reconnect the rods to
crankshaft to avoid possibility of damaging the jour-
nals through contact with loose rods.
If connecting rod bearings are chipped or scored they
should be replaced. If bearings
are in good physical
condition check for proper clearance on crankpins as
described under, checking clear$nce and selecting
replacement connecting rod beartngs.
If crankpin journals are scored or ridged, the crank-
shaft must be replaced, or reground for undersize
bearings, to insure satisfactory life of connecting rod
bearings. Slight roughness may be polished out withfine grit polishing cloth thoroughly wetted with en-
gine oil. Burrs may be honed off with a fine oil stone.
Use an outside micrometer to check crankpins for
out- of-round. If crankpins are mpre than
,002” out-
of- round, satisfactory life of new ,bearings cannot be
expected.
Checking Clearance and Selecting Replacement
Connecting Rod BearingsService bearings are furnished in standard size and
several undersizes. The clearance of connecting rod
(and crankshaft) bearings may be checked by use of
Plastigage, Type PG-1 (green), or equivalent, which
is soluble in oil.
1. Remove connecting rod cap with bearing shell.
Wipe off oil from bearing and crankpin journal, also
blow oil out of hole in crankshaft.
2. Place a piece of the plastic-type gauge material
Figure 6A-25 Checking Bearing
Cleatance WithPlastic-Type Gaugelengthwise along the bottom center of the lower bear-
ing shell (Figure 6A-25, view A), then install cap
with shell and tighten nuts to 36 lb. ft. Do not turn
crankshaft with gauge type material in bearing.
3. Remove bearing cap with bearing shell, the flat-
tened piece of gauge will be found adhering to either
the bearing shell or the crankpin. Do not remove it.
4. Using the scale printed on the envelope, measure
the flattened piece of gauge at its widest point. The
number within the graduation which closely corre-
sponds to the width of the gauge, indicates the bear-
ing clearance in thousandths of an inch. See Figure6A-25, View B.
5. The desired clearance with a new bearing is.0006”- .0025”. If bearing has been in service it is
advisable to install a new bearing if the clearance
exceeds .003”, however if bearing is in good condi-
tion and is not being checked because of bearing
noise, it is not necessary to replace the bearing.
6. After the proper size bearing has been selected,
clean off the gauge, oil thoroughly, reinstall cap with
bearing shell and tighten nuts to 36 lb. ft.
CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS AND SEALS
Replacement of Crankshaft BearingsA crankshaft bearing consists of two halves or shells
which are identical and are interchangeable in cap
and crankcase. All crankshaft bearings except the
rear main bearing are identical. The crankshaft end
thrust is taken up the rear (No. 5) main bearing.
Figure 6A-26 Engine Crankshaft Bearings
When the shells are placed in crankcase and bearing
cap, the ends extend slightly beyond the parting
sur-faces so that when cap bolts are tightened the shells
will be clamped tightly in place to insure positive

ENGINE MECHANICAL AND MOUNTS6A- 17
seating and to prevent turning.The ends of she//s
must never be tiled flush with parting surface of
crankcase or bearing cap.Crankshaft bearings are the precision type which do
not require reaming to size. Shims are not provided
for adjustment since worn bearings are readily re-
placed with new bearings of proper size. Bearings for
service replacement are furnished in standard size
and undersizes. Under no circumstances should
crankshaft bearing caps be tiIed to adjust for wear in
old bearing.After removal of oil pan, pipe and screen assembly,
perform the following removal, inspection and in-
stallation operations on each crankshaft bearing in
turn so that the crankshaft will be well supported by
the other bearings.
If crankshaft has been removed to check straightness
the following procedure is suggested. Rest crank-
shaft on “V-blocks” at number one and number live
main bearing journals. Check indicator runout at
No. 3 main bearing journal. Total indicator reading
should not exceed
.C012”.1. Since any service condition which affects the
crankshaft bearings may also affect the connecting
rod bearings, it is advisable to inspect connecting rod
bearings
first. If crankpins are worn to the extent
that crankshaft should be replaced or reground, re-
placement of crankshaft bearings only will not be
satisfactory.
If replacement of cylinder block or crankshaft is re-
quired, always check main bearing clearance with
plastic-type gauge to obtain specified limits.
2. Remove one bearing cap, then clean and inspect
lower bearing shell and the crankshaft journal. If
journal surface is scored or ridged, the crankshaft
must be replaced or reground to insure satisfactory
operation with new bearings. Slight roughness may
be polished out with tine grit polishing cloth
thoroughly wetted with engine oil, and burrs may be
honed off with a tine stone.
3. If condition of lower bearing shell and crankshaft
journal is satisfactory, check the bearing clearance
with a plastic-type gauge.
4. When checking a crankshaft bearing with plastic-
type gauging material, turn crankshaft so that oil
hole is up to avoid dripping of oil on the gauge
material. Place paper shims in lower halves of adja-
cent bearings and tighten cap bolts to take the weight
of crankshaft
off the lower shell of beating being
checked.5. If bearing clearance exceeds
.C03”, it is advisable
to install a new bearing; however, if bearing is in
good condition and is not being checked because ofbearing noise, it is not necessary to replace the bear-
ing.6. Loosen all crankshaft bearing cap bolts
l/2 turn,
and remove cap of bearing to be replaced.
7. Remove upper bearing shell by inserting Bearing
Shell Remover and Installer J-8080 in oil hole in
crankshaft, then slowly turning crankshaft so that
the tool rotates the shell out of place by pushing
against the end without the tang. See Figure
6A-27.When turning crankshaft with rear bearing cap
removed hold oil seal to prevent it from rotating out
of position in crankcase.
8. The crankshaft journal cannot be measured with
an outside micrometer when shaft is in place; how-
ever, when upper bearing shell is removed the jour-
nal may be checked for out-of-round by using a
special crankshaft caliper and inside micrometer.
Figure 6A-27 Removing and Installing Crankshaft
Bearing Upper Shell
The caliper should not be applied to journal in line
with oil hole.
If crankshaft journal is more than
.M)12” out-of-
round, the crankshaft should be replaced since the
full mileage cannot be expected from bearings used
with an excessively out-of-round crankshaft.
9. Before installation of bearing shells make sure that
crankshaft journal and the bearing seats in crankcase
and cap are thoroughly cleaned.
10. Coat inside surface of upper bearing shell with
engine oil and place shell against crankshaft journal
so that tang on shell will engage notch in crankcase
when shell is rotated into place.
11. Rotate bearing shell into place as far as possible
by hand, then insert Installer J-8080 in crankshaft oil
hole and rotate crankshaft to push shell into place.
Bearing shell should move into place with very little

ENGINE MECHANICAL AND MOUNTS6A- 21
2.. Expand a telescope gage to fit the cylinder bore at
right angles to the piston pin 2-l/2” from top. See
Figure 6A-33.cylinders, the glazed cylinder walls should be slightly
dulled without increasing the bore diameter by
means of the finest grade honing stones.
TELESCOPE GAUGE1
Figure 6A-33 Checking Cylinder Bores
TELESCOPE/GAUGE
MICROMETER
Figure
6A-34 Measuring Telescope Gage3. Measure the piston to be installed. See Figure6A-32. The piston must be measured at right angles
to the piston pin
2-l/2” below the top of piston. The
piston must be between
.C008” and .0012” smaller
than the cylinder bore.
Both block and piston must be at approximately the
same temperature when measurements are made or
expansion errors will occur. A
dif.ference of 10 de-
grees F between parts is sufficient to produce a varia-
tion of .0005”.
Fitting New Piston RingsWhen new piston rings are installed without reboringNew piston rings must be checked for clearance in
piston grooves and for gap in cylinder bores; how-
ever, the flexible oil rings are not checked for gap.
The cylinder bores and piston grooves must be clean,
dry, and free of carbon and burrs.
To check the end gap of compression rings, place the
ring in the cylinder in which it will be used and
square it in the bore by tapping with the lower end
of a piston. Measure the gap with feeler gages.
Piston ring end gap should be
,014” - ,022” (top) and
,014” - ,022” (2nd) and the oil ring end gap should
be
.015” - ,055”.
If gap is less than specified, file the ends of rings
carefully with a smooth tile to obtain proper gap.
Install piston rings as follows:
1. Upper ring is chrome plated and can be installed
either way up. Number two (2) ring has to be in-
stalled with the marking “top” up. Oil ring can be
installed either way
up. See Figure 6A-35.
1. PISTON
2. NO.
I COMPRESSION RING - INSTALLED
WITH EITHER SIDE UP.
3. NO. 2 COMPRESSION RING - INSTALLED
WITH “TOP” MARKING TOWARDS THE TOP.
4. UPPER AND LOWER STEEL BAND RING
-
INSTALLED WITH EITHER SIDE UP.5. INTERMEDIATED RING
- INSTALLED WITH
EITHER SIDE UP.
6A-35
Figure 6A.35 Arrangement of Piston Rings2. Install piston rings so gaps are positioned as shown
in Figure 6A-36.

6A- 261973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
rear of cylinder head. Remove camshaft toward
front, supporting camshaft with one hand through
access hole and taking care not to damage bearing
surfaces. See Figure 6A-43.12345 6
I. OLD PRESSURE
4. COVER GASKET
RELIEF
~~- \SSEMBLY5. COVER 8 VALVE
ASSEMBLYVALVE I
2. TIMING CASE
6. COVER ATTACHING
3. OIL PUMP GEARS
SCREWS
123” 45Figure 6A-44 Oil Pump Components
1.CAMSHAFT
2. FRONT ACCESS HOLE
3. LATERAL ACCESS HOLE
4. CYLINDER HEAD
5. REAR ACCESS HOLEISA-43
Figure 6A-43 Removing Camshaft
Installation
1. Liberally lubricate camshaft journals and install
camshaft from front into cylinder head. Support
shaft through access hole in left side of head to pre-
vent damaging bearings.
2. Reinstall valve lifters, rocker arms and self- lock-
ing rocker arm nuts.
3. Install rear and side access plates.
4. Reinstall cylinder head.
OIL PUMP COVER AND GEARSRemoval and Installation of Oil Pump
Cover and Gears
1. Remove screws attaching oil pump cover assembly
to timing chain cover. Remove cover assembly and
slide out oil pump gears. See Figure 6A-44.
2. Wash off gears and inspect for wear, scoring, etc.
Replace any gears not found serviceable. Discard
pump covers scored by gear action. If pump housing
or distributor drive shaft bushing are worn (this is
only possible after a long service life), the timing case
together with all exchangeable pump parts have to be
discarded.In isolated cases, timing cases are installed in pro-
duction having
.008 in. oversize bores for pump gears
and shafts. Oversize bores may exist either for one or
both gears; these timing cases are identified by the
number “0.2” stamped into pump flange on left and-
/or right-hand side. Oversize replacement gears
should be selected according to Part Catalog specifi-
cations.
3. Liberally lubricate spindles and gear teeth and use
new cover gasket. Install oil pump cover.
If new gears are installed, their end clearance in a dry
pump housing should be checked with a straight
edge and a feeler gauge. The gears must not protrude
more than X04 in. over pump housing. See Figure6A-45.
FEELER
AUGESTRAIGHTIEDGE
Figure 6A-45 Checking Oil Pump Gear End Clearance

ENGINE MECHANICAL AND MOUNTS6A- 27
With feeler gauge, check gear backlash. It should be
between
.I?04 in. and .C!OS in. See Figure 6A-46.3. Remove (2) bolts holding pipe and screen assem-
bly to cylinder block. See Figure 6A-47.
FEELERGAUGE6A-46
Figure 6A-46 Measuring Oil Pump Gear Backlash
Checking Oil Pump Relief Valve
For Proper Functioning
1. Unscrew plug and check spring and relief valve
plunger in oil pump cover for dirt particles and free
operation. If required, carefully clean plunger and
seat. Pressure relief plunger sticking as a result of
foreign material or sludge build-up in the oil pump
cover can cause loss of oil pressure.
Removal and Inspection of Oil Pump
Pipe and Screen Assembly
1. Remove oil pan.
2. Clean oil pan. Make sure the gasket surfaces and
pan and block are clean.
Figure 6A-47 Installation of Pipe and Screen
Assembly4. Clean the screen and housing thoroughly in sol-
vent and blow dry with air stream.
Installation of Oil Pump and Screen Assembly
Install by reversing removal procedures, paying par-
ticular attention to the following points.
1. Make sure oil pump pipe flange gasket surface of
block is smooth and free of dirt.
2. Use a new gasket and install assembly.
3. Tighten pan bolts evenly. Do not over-tighten.
Torque to 5 lb. ft.
SPECIFICATIONSBOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Use a reliable torque wrench to tighten all parts listed, to insure proper
tightness without straining or distorting parts. These specifications are for
clean and lightly-lubricated threads only; dry or dirty threads produce in-
creased friction which prevents accurate measurement of tightness.

66.321973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
COOLING SYSTEM
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:
Cooling System and Water Pump
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DIAGNOSIS: (Not Applicable)
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS:
Checking and Filling Cooling System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Draining
andFlushingCoolingSystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Conditioning the Cooling System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Using and Testing Anti-Freeze Solutions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fan Belt Adjustment or Replacement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Radiator Thermostat Inspection and Test
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MAJOR REPAIR:
Water Pump Removal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Radiator
Removal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPECIFICATIONS:
Cooling System Capacities
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page No.
68-32
6B-32
68-32
68-33
68-33
68-33
68-33
68-34
68-34
6B-35
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
COOLING SYSTEM AND WATER PUMPThe coiling system is of the conventional pressurized
type. A centrifugal pump arranged in timing case
serves to circulate the coolant.
When the thermostat is closed, the coolant will re-
turn to the pump via a by-pass for swift and uniform
warming up of the engine the coolant circulates
through the radiator, only when the engine has
reached normal operating temperature.
The heater system branches off the cooling system
ahead of thermostat in flow direction so that the
heater is in operation before engine has reached full
operating temperature.
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
Checking and Filling Cooling SystemThe coolant level should be checked only when the
engine is cold and only enough coolant should be
added to bring the level halfway between core andtank top. It is unnecessary and undesirable to remove
the radiator cap and check the coolant level each
time the car stops at a filling station for gasoline or
oil, since the engine is usually hot at such times.
WARNING: Never remove the radiator cap quickly
when engine is HOT Sudden release of cooling
sys-
tern pressure may cause the coolant to boil and some
of it may be ejected from the radiator
filler neck,
resulting in
inl’ury to persons or damage to the car
finish.If it is necessary at any time to remove the radiator
cap when engine is hot, rotate the cap counterclock-
wise until first stop is reached. Leave cap in this
position until all pressure in cooling system has been
released, then turn cap past the first stop and remove
it.
Draining and Flushing
Cooling SystemThe cooling system should be completely drained
and the recommended coolant installed every two (2)
years.To drain the cooling system, remove radiator cap,
remove lower radiator hose from the lower tank and

6G- 661973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
6. Check compression of each cylinder. Repeat
compression check and record highest reading ob-
tained on each cylinder during the two pressurechecks.The recorded compression pressures are to be con-
sidered normal if the lowest reading cylinder is more
than 75 percent of the highest reading cylinder. See
the following example and the “Compression Pres-
sure Limit Chart.” See Figure
6G-2.Seventy-five percent of 140 (highest) is 105. Thus,
cylinder No. 4 is less than 75 percent of No. 3. This
condition, accompanied by low speed missing, indi-
cates an improperly seated valve or worn or broken
piston ring. See Figure 6G-1.
23
I
SO-1Figure 6G-1 Example of Compression Check
7. If one or more cylinders read low, inject about a
tablespoon of engine oil on top of pistons in low
reading cylinders through spark plug port. Repeat
compression check on these cylinders.
a: If compression improves considerably, rings are
lV0*tl.b. If compression does not improve, valves are stick-
ing or seating poorly.
c. If two adjacent cylinders indicate low compression
and injecting oil does not increase compression, the
cause may be the head gasket leaking between the
cylinders. Engine coolant and/or oil in cylinders
could result from this defect.
Compression Pressure Limit ChartThis chart may be used when checking cylinder com-
pression pressures. It has been calculated so that the
lowest reading number is 75 percent of the highest
reading number. See Figure 6G-2.
EXAMPLE: After checking the compression pressures
in all cylinders, it was found that the highest pressure
obtained was 182 psi The lowest pressure reading
was 145psi.
By locating 182 in the maximum col-
umn, it is seen that the minimum allowable pressure
r-.__MAXIMUM
PRESSURE
POIJNWW. INCH
--
134
136
138
140
142
146148
150
152
154
156
158160lb2
164166168170172
174
176
178
180182184
186MINIMUM
PRESSURE
POUNDS/
SQ. INCHHAXIMUM
‘RESSURE
‘OUNWiQ. INCHMINIMUM
PRESSURE“OUNWX?. INCH
101188I41I02190142104192144105194145107196147II0198148Ill200150
113202151
114204153
115206154
117208156118210157120212158
121214160123216162
124218163
126220165127222166129224168131226169132228171133230172
135232174136234175138236177140238178
Figire 6G.2 Compression Pressure Limit Chart
is 136psi. Since the lowest reading obtained was 145
psi,
the car is within limits and the compression is
considered satisfactory.
Spark Plugs1. Inspect, clean and regap or replace spark plugs as
required. Correct gap is
,030.2. Install spark plugs. Tighten to 30 lb.ft.
Secondary Ignition System1. Inspect ignition cables for broken, swollen or
deteriorated insulation.
2. Check terminal ends and condition of rubber
boots. Replace as required.
3. Inspect the condition of the distributor cap and
rotor.
4. Clean the ignition coil and inspect for cracks or
carbon paths which could cause high voltage leak-
age.
Distributor Contact Points1. Inspect distributor contact points and replace or
adjust as necessary
(.016 gap).

2. If inspection of contact points indicates excessive
burning, pitting or wear, check condenser and re-
place if necessary.
3. Inspect all connections and wires in the primary
ignition circuit. Correct any abnormal conditions
found.Carburetor1. Clean fuel strainer in fuel pump. To prevent fuel
leakage in pump, disconnect “IN” line from pump
and raise end above fuel level. The in-line fuel filter
should be replaced every 12,000 miles or every 12
months.
2. Check for freedom of choke valve operation and
clean shaft if necessary, with suitable solvent.
3. Inspect throttle cable or linkage bracket and re-
turn spring for wear. With helper depressing acceler-
ator pedal to floor, check for wide open throttle.
Adjust accelerator pedal height so wide open throttle
is obtained when pedal is within
l/2 inch from floor.
Lubricate linkage pivot points with engine oil.
Air CleanerCheck paper element every 6,000 miles and replace
every
24,ooO miles. If a vehicle is operated in dusty
territory, check condition of air cleaner element
more frequently and replace if necessary.
Fan Belt1. Inspect belt for wear, cracks or frayed points.
Replace and/or adjust as necessary. Specified ten-
sion for belt using Gauge J-23600 is 45 lbs.
Cooling System1. Inspect the radiator, water pump, cylinder head
areas and all radiator and heater hose connections
for evidence of engine coolant leaks.
2. Inspect all hoses for deterioration from gas and oil
contact. Correct as required.
Inspection should be made with engine operating at
normal temperature, cooling system completely
filled, temperature control lever fully open and nor-
mal pressure in the system. Normal pressure should
be 13.2 to 15.2 psi.
Engine Lubrication SystemInspect engine for evidence of oil leakage. Correctany abnormal condition with sealastic or new seals
and gaskets.
Battery
1. Inspect battery, battery mount and cables and
check electrolyte level. Proper level should be just
above the cell plates.
CAUTION:Do not over fill.
2. Determine the serviceability of the battery by ap-
plying the 421 Battery Test.
Positive Crankcase VentilationClean crankcase ventilator metered orifice in the in-
take manifold fitting every 6,000 miles. Also all hoses
and fittings should be inspected, cleaned and re-
placed, if necessary.
To clean, remove rubber hose from metered orifice
and apply air pressure to orifice to remove any for-
eign particles that may be trapped.
Valve Lifter AdjustmentRefer to Engine Mechanical and Mounts section for
valve lifter adjustment procedure.
Engine Tune-Up Instrument ChecksThe following instrument checks and adjustments
serve as a final check on engine condition. These
checks may discover some new problems that may
not have been obvious before. The engine is also
given its final adjustments that will assure maximum
performance, reliability, and proper emission con-
trol.
Refer to Electrical Group for checking procedures of
the following:
Cranking Voltage Check
Ignition Timing
Distributor Advance
Ignition Output
Secondary Resistance
Current Output and Voltage Setting
Idle Speed and Mixture AdjustmentsRefer to carburetor section.