automatic transmission OPEL GT-R 1973 User Guide

6B- 341973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
test by partially draining the cooling system and dis-
connecting the water outlet housing from the ther-
mostat housing which is mounted on the right front
side of cylinder head.
The standard thermostat valve should start to open
at 189 degrees F and fully open at approximately 212
degrees F. If thermostat does not operate at specified
temperatures, it should be replaced as it cannot be
repaired.MAJOR REPAIR
WATER PUMP REPAIRSThe water pump bearing outer race is shrunk fit into
the water pump cover. For this reason the cover,
shaft bearing, and hub are not repairable.
Water Pump RemovalOpel radiators do not have a drain plug. Drain radia-
tor by first, loosening radiator cap, then remove
lower hose from lower radiator tank.
1. Drain coolant into a clean container. Remove
radiator and shroud.
2. Remove fan belt.
3. Remove fan blade and pulley on water pump shaft.
4. Disconnect inlet hose and heater hose from water
pump. Remove bolts, pump assembly and gasket
from timing chain cover.
5. Check pump shaft bearing for end play or rough-
ness in operation. If bearings are not in serviceable
condition, the assembly must be replaced.
Water Pump Installation1. Make sure the gasket surfaces on pump and timing
chain covers are clean. Install pump assembly with
new gasket. Bolts must be tightened uniformly.
Torque to 11 lb. ft.
2. Install radiator and shroud. Connect radiator hose
to pump inlet and heater hose to nipple.
3. Install fan pulley and fan blade, tighten attaching
bolts securely. Install belts and adjust for proper
tension.4. Fill cooling system and check
,for leaks at pump
and hose joints.
RADIATOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
RemovalI. Loosen radiator cap, then remove lower radiator
hose and drain radiator coolant into suitable con-
tainer.
2. On vehicles with automatic transmission, unscrew
oil lines from connectors on lower radiator tank and
plug lines. On GT models with automatic transmis-
sion the lines have to be disconnected at the coupling
before removing from the tank. It is essential that no
dirt enters the oil lines. When unscrewing oil lines,
hold connectors on lower radiator tank with pliers to
avoid leakages. Ensure that no dirt enters oil cooler.
3. Remove lower attaching nut and slide radiator
upward and out of engine compartment.
Installation1. Install radiat,or into engine compartment and se-
cure lower attaching nut.
2. On vehicles with automatic transmissions, fasten
oil cooler lines to lower radiator tank. It is essential
that no dirt enters the oil lines. When tightening oil
lines, hold connectors on lower radiator tank with
pliers to avoid leakages. Ensure that no dirt enters oil
cooler. Torque to 1 I-15
lbs.ft.3. Install lower radiator hose and add collected coo-
lant.
All Opels are provided with a radiator initial fill of
an antifreeze solution containing corrosion inhibitor.
The antifreeze has either a glycol or glycerin base
and protects the engine against freezing, down to
minus 22 degrees F. (minus 30 degrees C.). Before
the start of the cold season, coolant must be checked
with a hydrometer and if necessary, brought to the
necessary specific gravity by adding anti-freeze with
a glycol or glycerin base. As the specific gravities of
all anti- freeze solutions having a glycol or glycerin
base are practically the same, the hydrometer can be
used for all these types. Because of the tolerances of
the hydrometer, or slight differences in specific
gravity, variations of plus or minus 5 degrees can be
expected. Coolant must be checked at a temperature
of plus 68 degrees F. (plus 20 degrees C.)

6F. 62 1973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
bleed into the vacuum line, allowing more manifold
vacuum to reach the vacuum motor. Whenever there
is nine inches or more of vacuum in the vacuum
motor, the diaphragm spring is compressed, the door
is opened.
When the engine is not running, the diaphragm
spring will always hold the door closed. However,
when the engine is running, the position of the door
depends on the air temperature in the air cleaner.
When starting a cold engine (air cleaner temperature
under 85 degrees), the air door will open immedi-
ately. This is because the air bleed valve in the sensor
is closed so that full manifold vacuum, is applied in
the vacuum motor. As soon as the air cleaner starts
receiving hot air from the heat stove, the sensor will
cause the air door to close partially, mixing cold air
with the hot air as necessary to regulate air cleaner
temperature within 20 degrees of the ideal 115 de-
grees air inlet temperature.
If underhood air temperature rises to 135 degrees,
the air bleed valve in the sensor will be wide open so
that vacuum to the vacuum motor approaches zero.
The diaphragm spring in the vacuum motor will hold
the air door closed tightly. If underhood temperature
rises above 135 degrees, carburetor inlet air tempera-
ture will also rise above 135 degrees.
While air cleaner temperature is being regulated, ac-
celerating the engine hard will cause the vacuum
level in the intake manifold and in the vacuum motor
to drop. Whenever vacuum drops below 5 inches, the
diaphragm spring will close the air
door in order to
get the
maxumum outside air flow required for max-
imum acceleration.
The carburetor is set by the manufacturer for
800-
850 RPM (automatic transmission) or 850-900 RPM
(manual transmission) and 1.5 to 2.5 percent CO.
Figure 6F-3 E.G.R. System
EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM
All 1973 Opel 1900’s, Manta’s and GT’s are
equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (E.G.R.)
system. See Figure
6F-3.
The E.G.R. system consists of a pipe connected to
the center of the front exhaust pipe, an E.G.R. valve,
a short pipe from the valve to the intake manifold
and a short vacuum hose from the E.G.R. valve to
the base of the carburetor. See Figure
6F-4.
The system does not receive sufficient vacuum at idle
to operate, but will operate during acceleration and
part throttle providing sufficient intake manifold
vacuum is present.
Figure 6F-4 E.G.R. Valve Location
DIAGNOSIS
TESTING THERMO AIR CLEANER OPERATION
Since failure of the therm0 air cleaner will generally
result in the snorkel air door staying open, failure
will probably go unnoticed in warm or hot weather.
In cold weather, however, owners will complain of
leaness, hesitation, sag, surge, or stalling. When any
type of lean operation complaint is received, always
test the thermo air cleaner for
proper functioning
before doing any work on the carburetor.
Always perform checks in the same order as listed
below.
Vacuum Motor Check
1. Check all hoses for proper hookup. Check for
kinked, plugged, or damaged hoses.

GROUP 7
TRANSMISSION7A IClutch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7A- 1
7B IManualTransmission1 76-12 1
7c IAutomatic Transmission1 7C-36 1I
I
I

7C- 361973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
CONTENTS
Subject
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION:
Description of the Opel Three-Speed Automatic,Transmission....................................................................
Principles of Operation....................................................
ComponentOperation
andLocation............................
Mechanical Operation......................................................
Hydraulic Control Units and Valves............................H,y&aulic Operation..........................................................
DIAGNOSIS:
Sequence for Trouble Diagnosis..................................
Checking
Procedures........................................................
ExternalOil
Leaks..............................................................
Trouble
DiagnosisChart..................................................
Hydraulic Pressure
Checks............................................
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS:
Detent Cable Adjustment..............................................
ServicingSelector
Lever..................................................
MAJOR REPAIR:
Transmission Removal and Installation
AllModels........................................................................
Removalof
OilPan............................................................
RemovalofValveBody....................................................
Removalof
ServoPiston................................................
Removalof
Selector
LeverandShaft........................
RemovalofModulatorAssembly..................................
RemovalofDetentValveAssembly............................
RemovalofExtensionHousing......................................
Removal of Speedometer Drive Gear, Governor
Body and Governor Hub..............................................
Removal of Converter Housing, Oil Pump, Reverse
and Second Clutch Assembly..................................
Removal of Third Clutch Assembly, Planetary
Carrier Assembly, Reaction Sun Gear and Drum
Assembly and Low Bank............................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
Converter Housing, Oil Pump and Reverse Clutch
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
SecondClutch
................................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
ThirdClutch....................................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
Planetary Carrier
............................................................Page No.7c- 377c- 387c- 447c- 487c- 487c- 64
7C- 81
7C- 81IC- 817c- 827c- 877c- 917c- 937c- 947c- 99.7c- 99
7c-1007c-loo
7&l 01
7c-102
7c-102
7c-103
7c-103
7c-104
7c-105
7c-111
7c-114
7c-118

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7c- 37
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
ReactionSunGearandDrum....................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
Governor Body................................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
GovernorHub..................................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
ExtensionHousing........................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
Servo Piston....................................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
ValveBody........................................................................
Disassembly, Inspection and Reassembly of
Case....................................................................................
InspectingandTestingConverter................................
InstallationofSelectorLeverandShaft....................
InstallationofLowBand................................................
Installation of Reaction Sun Gear and Drum..........
Installation of Output Shaft and Planetary
Carrier................................................................................
Installation of Second and Third Clutch Assemblies
IntoCase..........................................................................
InstallationofReverseClutch......................................
DeterminingSelectiveWasherSize............................
Installation of Converter Housing, Oil Pump and
Clutch Assembly............................................................
Installation of Governor Assembly..............................
InstallationofExtensionHousing................................
InstallationofSpeedometerDrivenGear..................
Installation of Detent Valve, Modulator Valve
and Modulator Assembly............................................
Installation and Adjustment of Servo........................
InstallationofValveBody..............................................
InstallationofOilPanandGasket..............................
Torque Converter..............................................................
SPECIFICATIONS:
GeneralSpecifications......................................................
7c.
7c-
,l
‘118
197c-1207c-1207c-1207C-121
7C-124
7C-125
7C-125
7C-125
7C-127
7C-127
7C-127
7C-128
7C-129
7C-129
7C-129
7c-130
7c-131
7c-131
7c-131
7C-132
7c-133
7c-134
7c-134DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
DESCRIPTIONThe Opel Three-Speed Automatic is a fully auto-matic unit utilizing a torque converter and a Ravig-neaux planetary gear set, with three multiple disc
clutches and a single band to provide three forward
speeds and reverse. See Figure 7C-71. Automatic
upshifts and downshifts are controlled by road speed,
engine vacuum and an accelerator pedal connection
to the transmission.

Figure 7C-1 Quadrant In Park Position -Opel 1900
and Manta7C- 381973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
R
- Reverse enables the vehicle to be operated in a
reverse direction.
N
- Neutral position enables the engine to be
started and operated without driving the vehicle.
D
- Drive range is used for all normal driving
conditions and maximum economy and has three
gear ratios. Downshifts are available for passing
by depressing the accelerator partially at lower
car speeds and through the “detent” at higher car
speeds.
S or 2
- Second range adds new performance for
hilly terrain. It has the same starting ratio as Drive
range, but prevents the transmission from shifting
above second gear to retain second gear for
acceleration or engine braking as desired. Second
range can be selected at any vehicle speed, but
should not be used above the speed shown m the
Owner’s Manual. This is to prevent over-speeding
the engine. The transmission will shift to second
gear immediately and remain in second until the
vehicle speed or the throttle position is changed
to obtajn first gear operation in the same manner
as in Drive range.
L or 1
- Lo range can be selected at any vehicle speed,
but should not be used above the speed shown in the
Owner’s Manual. The transmission will shift to low
(1st) gear immediately and remain in 1st gear regard-
less of vehicle speed or throttle position. This is par-
ticularly beneficial for maintaining maximum engine
braking.
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Torque ConverterThe torque converter acts as a coupling to transmit
engine torque, through oil, to the transmission power
train. It also multiplies the torque from the engine
under certain conditions of input and output speed.
Figure
7C-2 Quadrant in Park Position - GT Models
The quadrant has six positions indicated in the fol-
lowing order: (Opel 1900 and Manta) P,R,N,D,S,
and L (Figure
7C-1); and (GT) P,R,N,D,2, and 1
(Figure 7C- 2).The torque converter used in the Opel three speed
automatic transmission consists of three basic ele-
ments: the pump (driving member), the turbine
(driven or output member) and the stator (reaction
member). See Figure
7C-3. The converter cover is
welded to the pump to seal all three members in an
oil tilled housing.
P
- Park position enables the transmission output
shaft to be locked
- thus preventing the vehicle
from roling either forward or backward. Because
the output shaft is mechanically locked by a
parking
paw1 anchored in the extension housing,
the park position should not be selected until the
vehicle has come to a stop. The engine may be
started in the Park position.Whenever the engine is running, the converter pump
turns at engine speed and acts as a centrifugal pump,
picking up oil at its center, adding energy, and dis-
charging the oil at its outer rim between the blades.
The shape of the converter pump shells and blades
cause the oil to leave the pump spinning in a clock-
wise direction toward the blades of the turbine. Asthere is no mechanical connection between converterpump and turbine, the oil is the only driving force
and strikes the blades of the turbine, transferring the

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7c- 39
TURBINESTATOR
(DRIVEN MEMBER)fREACTION
MEMBER)CON;ERTER
COVERP;MP
(DRIVING MEMBER)
7c.3Figure
7C-3 Torque Converter Assembly
energy of the oil to the turbine. See Figure
7C-1. The
driven member, or turbine is splined to the transmis-
sion input shaft to transmit turbine torque to the
transmission gear train.
When the engine is idling, the converter pump is
being driven slowly. The energy of the oil leaving the
pump is very low, therefore there is very little torque
imparted to the turbine. For this reason, the engine
can idle and the car will have little or no tendancy
to “Creep.”
As the throttle is opened and pump speed increases,
the force of the oil leaving the pump increases and
the resultant torque is absorbed by the turbine.
After the oil has imparted its force to the turbine
member, oil leaving the turbine follows the contour
of the turbine blades so that it leaves the turbine
spinning counterclockwise. Since the turbine mem-
ber has absorbed the energy required to reverse the
direction of the oil, the turbine now has greater forceor torque than is being delivered by the engine, and
the process of torque multiplication has begun.TURBINE
PUMPTURBINE
PUMP7c4Figure
7C-4 Oil Flow Without Stator
If the counterclockwise spinning oil were allowed to
return directly to the converter pump, the oil would
strike the inner section of the pump blades in a direc-
tion that would hinder its rotation, cancelling out
any gains in torque that have been obtained. To pre-
vent this, a stator assembly is added, and is located
between the converter pump and turbine. See Figure7c-5.
The stator redirects the oil returning to the pump
member of the converter and changes its direction of
rotation to that of the pump. Since the direction of
the oil leaving the stator is not opposing the rotationof the pump, the energy or torque of the engine is
added to the oil as it passes through the
the entire cycle repeats. See Figure
7C-6.pump and
The force of the returning oil from the turbine tends
to rotate the stator in a counterclockwise direction,
the stator is mounted on a one-way or roller clutch
which allows it to turn clockwise but not counter-
clockwise. Therefore, at low turbine speeds, the re-
turning oil from the turbine striking the stator blades
in a counterclockwise direction causes the roller
clutch to “lockup,” and prevent the stator from turn-
ing.
As the turbine speed increases, the direction of the
oil leaving the turbine changes and flows against thestator blades in a clockwise direction. Since the sta-tar would now be hindering the smooth flow of re-
turning oil to the pump, the roller clutch releases,
and the stator rotates freely on its shaft. With this
condition, the stator becomes ineffective and no fur-
ther multiplication of engine torque is produced
within the converter. At this point the converter acts

7C- 401973 OPEL SERVICE MANUAL
ENERGIZING SPRINGS
UTER RACE (CAM)
ROLLER CLUTCHSTATOR
LOCKS UPSTATOR
COUNTER CLOCKWISE FORCES ON CAM, LOCKOVERRUNS
ROLLERS TO INNER RACE
CLOCKWISE FORCES ON CAM CAUSESTATOR ASSEMBLYx.5
ROLLERS TO OVERRUN INNER RACE
Figure 7C-5 Roller Clutch And Stator Assembly
as a fluid coupling, since both the converter pump
and turbine are turning at the same speed, or at a 1:l
ratio.
The torque converter and input shaft actually form
a simple transmission in themselves, however, since
the requirements of an automobile transmission are
greater, some means of providing additional torque,
neutral and reverse, are required. For this reason a
gear set is added behind the torque converter.
Planetary Gears
Planetary gears are used in automatic transmissions
as the basic means of multiplying the twisting force
or torque from the engine. They are so named be-
cause of their physical arrangement and are used
because they permit constant mesh operation, cannot
clash, operate in a minimum of space and distribute
the load over several gears. The simplest planetary
gear set consists of a center or sun gear, internal or
ring gear and a planetary gears called planetary pin-
ions. See Figure
7C-9. The sun gear meshes with theplanetary pinions which rotate freely on their shafts
attached to the planetary carrier. The ring gear
sur-rounds the assembly and meshes with the planetary
pinions. Power flow through the planetary gear set
is accomplished by applying power to one member,
holding another member thus making it a reaction
member and obtaining the transmitted power from
the third member, which can result in any of the
following conditions:
1. Increase torque with a proportional decrease in
output speed.
2. Increase speed with a proportional decrease of
output torque.
3. Reverse direction of rotation.
4. Act as a direct connection for direct drive.
The gear set used in the Opel Three Speed Automatic
transmission is known as a Ravigneaux planetary

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7c- 41
Figure
7C-6 Oil Flow With Stator Active
gear set and utilizes two sets of planetary pinions in
one planet carrier, two sun gears and one ring gear.
See Figure
7C-8.The short planetary pinions are in constant mesh
with both the input (front) sun gear and the long
planetary pinions. The long planetary pinions are inconstr$ mesh with the reaction (rear) sun gear, the
short planetary pinions and the ring gear.
In the first gear the reaction (rear) sun gear is held
stationary. The input (front) sun gear rotates in aclockwise direction (when viewed from the front)
turning the short planet pinions counterclockwise
and the long planet pinions clockwise. The long pla-
net pinions turn the ring gear clockwise and walk
around the held reaction (rear) sun gear driving the
planet carrier and output shaft assembly in a clock-
wise direction. See Figure
7C-10.In second gear the reaction (rear) sun gear is again
held statioinry. The ring gear is the input and is
driven in a clockwise direction turning the long pla-
net pinions clockwise which walk around the station-
ary reaction (rear) sun gear, driving the planet

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7c- 43
LONG PINIONINPUT SUNGPLANETARY CARRIERFigure 7C-12 Third Gear
LONG PINION
ORT PINION
INPUT SUN
PLANETARY CARRIER7c.13Figure 7C-13 Reverse
Three Speed automatic transmission has three disc
clutches, a band and a sprag (overrunning) clutch.
Disc Clutch
A disc clutch serves to connect or disconnect a rotat-
ing member with another rotating member or a sta-
tionary member. A clutch of this type can have one
or mgre discs or plates depending on the desired
capacity.
A disc clutch consists of drive plates, driven plates,
a hub and a drum or housing (depending on whether
the rotating member is being clutched to another
rotating member or a stationary member). Themethod of apply in an automatic transmission is a
hydraulic piston.
One set of plates is lined with friction material and
the other plates are steel. Whether the plates are
designated as “drive” or “driven” plates depends on
the power flow through the clutch.
One set of plates is splined to the drum or housing.
With the piston in the released position, the hub with
its plates are free to rotate relative to the drum or
housing. When hydraulic pressure is applied behind
the piston, the piston forces the drive and drivenp!ates together, thus causing the hub to rotate with
the
drur.1 or remain stationary with the housing. See
Figure 7C- 12.
DRUM
FORCE APPLIED
FORCE APPLIEDr
7c-14
Figure
7C-14 Clutch Applied
CLUTCHAPPLY
\
PISTON
CLUTCH
RELEASE-SPRING
r
HUB
CLUTCH DISCS
RELEASED
CLUTCH HUBFigure
7C-15 Clutch Released