Hi there guys 

I am Curtley Prince from South Africa🇿🇦🇿🇦 I've owned my 1985 Opel Ascona 1.8 Gls 5speed Hatchback for the last 4 years. 

Through the years the car has seen many repairs or should I say tasteful upgrades. 

Bought the car with 13 inch  steel wheels. 

Processed to buy white  14 inch tear drops.

Drove the car for few months 

Battery gave in 

Replaced battery 

Fuel pump gave in 

Replaced it 

Then the carburator 

Replaced it with KEIHIN KS2 popular conversion in South Africa (citi golf carburator) 

Got a counterfeit pan cake K&N filter 

Cylinder two on the head didn't have any spark 

Got head reconditioned 

Accelerator cable broke 

Used a mk1 golf accelerator cable 

I thought the carburator was faulty because the settings wasn't proper  Near the end of 2020 the head gasket went unbeknownst to me. 

Replaced the fuel pump again 

Unfortunately didn't solve the issue 

In April 2021 

The head gasket was done 

Carburator was reconditioned 

In May 2021 I replaced the front brake pads 

In August 2021 

The right rear wheel cylinder burst 

Which caused the wheel to lock 

Left the car like that 

In 2022 January  I proceed to fit the astra mk2 rear disc setup

Drove the car like that for better part of a year  without handbrake 

In August 2022 I imported left mirror from UK 

Cause they are extremely rare in South Africa 

in October 2022 

I had the tear drops reconditioned

I got Lcd digital cluster fitted 

Ignition wire burned for a second time. 

November 2022

I fitted the cheapest  HID kits  I could find. 

Demeber 2022 

I fitted 256mm front discs with FN52/24 calipers 

January 2023 

I fitted astra mk5 rear disc setup 

After bleeding the brakes the brake master cylinder gave in 

Huge fluid leak into the brake booster 

I was lucky to find a suitable replacement apparently the escort mk3 and opel ascona uses the same brake master cylinder. 

 

Awesome.....welcome to the site

Welcome!🙂

lovely looking ascona, welcome to the site

Welcome to the site, that looks like a nice car is it sound underneath, The problems you have had remind me of my days of ownership with of several Triumph Dolomite Sprints few years ago.

From one newbie to another - Welcome! 👍🙂😎

Thank you everyone for the warm welcomes much appreciated. 🙏

Hi there everyone so I bought a mid spec snowplough still look looking for left side. If anyone has one please let me know if you are willing to send it to South Africa. 

 

Haven't done much to this one yet in the last few months. I've only done repairs.

Fuel pump 

Leaking fuel pipes 

Brakes felt very spongy but think I'm use to it now.

Digital cluster isn't working stuck at 0km/H 

Still need to sort out the handbrake cable.

 

That's a good list of stuff you have ticked off, what's next on the list to do?

Hi there just a cheeky little update on my Ascona haven't been able to work on the car with the new baby she demands all my time.

 

Unfortunately not the good kind of update👎 

I've found an oil leak that I've yet to determine the source 

Engine is covered in oil 

However found out where one oil leak is coming from near the oil pump. The rest is still a mystery.

Also found that the radiator is leaking seems like I will be needing one sooner than I thought 🤔

Yes I've two fuel filters on so that the carburettor doesn't flood.

I am using a fuel separator and a universal electric fuel pump.

So the list continue on what still needs fixing 😕⬇️

°Handbrake doesn't work so need to get custom cables or use astra mk5  cables.

°Digital cluster sort out it's bugs 

°Temperate gauge isn't working cause it's not connected. Engine bay side. Will need new temp switch.

°Brakes isn't how I imagine it should be will see if I can find a different brake servo perhaps it's my servo. My problem is that brakes engage rather low and not as high as I thought it would be.

°Drivers seat is falling apart need new seat foam.

° The car has a hard start that I can figure out when you go to start it for the first time morning/afternoon/night doesn't matter it swings like the battery is completely flat then afterwards it would start 

Don't know if it's the starter or if there is a connection problem somewhere. 

°I've yet to fit my lowering springs a bit afraid of taking the struts out 😂 haven't removed struts before on a car that I drive 

Only on the spare cars but will grow a pair and tackle that job when I get there.

Also on the hunt for some other rims I've grown tired of the teardrops now.

I'm torn on my engine choice to replace my 1800 carburettor

C20xe 

20seh 

X20xev 

Z32se V6 

C20xe is the ultimate choice but it's getting ridiculous these days.

V6 is one of the engines I really want but they weren't really available in South Africa 🇿🇦.only available in rwd omega b 2.6 y26se

So parts are very scares and only imported engines are available here.

X20xev is a engine I'd settle for very underrated 

20seh if I can get one I will take it I won't be fussy.

I've too many ideas and never stick to one.

I've recently done this brake  upgrade but now I want to go 5 stud 🤦 yes you've guessed correctly turbo wheels 👀☺️

 

 

 

So brief update on my ascona since I've posted last 

In December 2023 bloke that cutting my grass accidentally broke my left rear quarter vent window 

After a nightmare trying to find the glass I finally managed to find the glass

Still busy installing it. 

 

Got the digital cluster to work somehow by itself 

 

Car won't start now suspect it's the ignition switch 

 

Radiator leak got worse luckily managed to source a new one still need to get a brand new expansion tank and radiator hoses. 

 

Sourced astra mk4 handbrake cable hopefully it works 🤞🤞

 

Theres a oil leak I can't track down 🤷

Don't know after 39 years if the engine is finally finished. 

 

Hopefully the engine isn't dead 

2025 

 

Here's what I've done so far 

Chrome exterior handles 

Chrome interior handles senator 

Senator glovebox button 

Commodore chrome door locks 

Still need to swap over the lock pins 

 

Hopefully getting centre caps for the rims 

 

Rear right door handle has to be repaired 

 

 

I've few parts that needs to be fitted 

Brand new radiator (aftermarket) 

Brand new coolant bottle(aftermarket) 

Rear left quarter vent 

Astra mk4 handbrake cable