<VV> a good vair day

[N. Joseph Potts]

OK - here's an answer on the ignition lock. I've never done this, so I'm
making some of this up, but it should work. SHOULD work . . . Corvairs, like
other cars, were made to use a common key (combination) for the door locks
and the ignition key. I HOPE you haven't thrown your old door-lock cylinders
away, because each of them should have a 4-digit number on them. This is the
number of the key combination that will ALSO fit your ignition switch.
Locksmiths should (there's that word again) be able to decode this number
into a combination and "cut" you a key with a machine. If you can't find a
locksmith to do this (the technology is getting old), Larry Claypool is one
of several Corvair vendors who can cut you a key. tatra@urbancom.net is his
e-mail. His service is cheap and prompt.
     In the matter of the gas tank, you'll notice a round plug on the bottom
of the tank. This is the sender. If you remove this plug (there's a special
tool for this, but it can be substituted for, especially for REMOVING the
plug), you'll find the sender comes out of the tank. Since you're having
sender problems anyway, go ahead and pull this plug, although you'll need a
new o-ring to get it to seal back up, in all probability. Your "sender"
problem is more likely wiring- or gauge-related, but it COULD be the sender.
You can get the old gas out through this hole, and some of the sludge. You
can also inspect the "sock" that filters fuel as it is withdrawn from the
tank. At a minimum, this will probably require either cleaning or
replacement.
     The gas tank can be a bit hard to remove and replace. In view of this,
if you find it bad enough to pull out, you may want to get a new (repro)
tank, first coating the new tank on both the inside and the outside (each
with its respective type of goop), and put that back in, along with new
tubing (there's a fair amount of this) at and around the filler neck.
     Even if it breaks now and then the way mine does, your Corvair will
continue giving you increasing amounts of pleasure to drive as time goes on.
Mine does.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of John Headley
Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2004 6:49 PM
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Cc: Alan W
Subject: <VV> a good vair day


Finally - a good vair day.  I have to share.

I took a vacation day today and dropped the baby off
at day care like I went to work.  I spent all day
working on the vair (my new 64 monza convert).  It's
running and the knock is gone - must've been a lifter.
 The no running was gunk in the carbs - pulled them
apart and used carb cleaner and compressed air to
clean it up.  I also installed an inline fuel filter
to try to help keep them clean.  I used some "free up
lifter" type stuff for the knock and it never
reappeared.  The thing still needs a lot of basic TLC.
 You should've seen the distibutor cap, I've never
seen contacts that wasted.  The guy didn't even have
an air filter in there.  Plugs, plug wires, an air
filter, new points and condenser, new fan belt, and
basic idle/mixture/timing settings are in the near
future.  By the way, what do I loosen to change that
belt?  My manual hasn't arrived yet.  I don't see
anything that looks like it has adjustment to tension
the belt.

I got the rear seat and stuff out and found the
convertible top cylinders are leaking like crazy.
Disconnected them from the linkage for manual top
operation in the short term.  Can these leaks be
repaired, or do I really have to spend hundreds of
dollars to buy new cylinders and lines when what I
have works but leaks?

I got my new door locks installed, but still can't
figure out how to get that ignition switch out without
a key.  No replies the last time I asked, I'm still
looking for ideas....

Since the gas gummed up my stuff, I'd like to drain
it, but I don't see a plug.  Bummer.  I think that
tank's coming down anyway, the sender went to F today.
 I've driven it about 70 miles and only added 2
gallons or so, and it started at 3/4.  It's definitely
not full.

One more thing.  I installed 1/4 window glass on the
rear windows, but I'm having trouble figuring out how
these pieces are supposed to stay on.  Are they glued
to the window somehow?  There's a hole for one
fastener at the bottom, but nothing at the top, and
sometimes it catches on the top on the way down and
wants to pull off of there.

Anyway, it was a very encouraging day.  I got to drive
around the block even, and wash it finally.  There's
hope yet for the Woodward Dream Cruise.

-John Headley
64 monza convert
Royal Oak, MI