<VV> Fwd: Corvair performance

[N. Joseph Potts]

My timing is 18 degrees, which is correct for a 140hp (see my signature on
my post). The same signature states that there are no modifications to my
engine (OK - I have ball-and-cage float valves in my carbs, but that's it).
     I'm in no position to do more than guess that your problem is cooling.
There are several other possibilities, including a vacuum leak. I didn't
know your car had been so heavily intervened in lately - that, of course,
brings on its own set of problems (ask me how I know - I'm the intervenor
with my car). Knowing a bit more (but still NOT knowing a great deal), I
have this question about your friend/reputable mechanic: (a) is he a Corvair
specialist (I assume not); and (b) does he know much about carburetors? If
he is a mechanic in the present day, he doesn't have much exposure to
carburetors - cars nowadays are fuel-injected. That he balanced the carbs
(whether correctly or not) does suggest that he's been around this block a
time or two, of course.
     Y'know who should go through your carburetors with the applicable Shop
Manual and confirm EVERY adjustment, and then balance the carbs back on the
engine, also per the Shop Manual? YOU. This undertaking requires FAR more
intelligence and persistence than it does experience. Experience, if it is
from other cars, or fuel systems, can actually lead you astray. Get your
hands on your hardware, here - there's great reward in it. You don't even
have to be strong or brave to work on carburetors. (But you CAN be foolish -
NEVER look down the throat of a carburetor while the engine is running - a
backfire through the carburetor would totally spoil your day.) Your
carburetors are presumably all clean inside and out, so you won't even get
your hands dirty, much less have to contend with the arduous process of
cleaning carburetors. And if you want to be SURE your carburetors are right
through and through, just haul off and buy rebuilts from Grant Young, the
Carbmeister. He's on this list - you'll see his posts regularly. An
intermediate step would be to buy two carburetor kits from any of our
(Corvair specialist) vendors and install all those parts WHILE you are going
through your carbs' adjustments (not INSTEAD of adjusting them!).
     I hope you don't mind my having posted your message, along with this
reply. This way, you retain the benefit of ALL the wisdom of 800 Corvair
drivers, and they all get to know additional details of your situation, such
as those you disclosed in your most-recent message below. For this reason,
the best next step you could take would be to sign up into Virtual Vairs
(it's easy, quick, and FREE) so you can post to, as well as read, the list.
Go to www.corvair.org.

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Dennis [mailto:mike_kd@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 10:18 PM
To: N. Joseph Potts
Subject: RE: <VV> Fwd: Corvair performance


I recently changed my oil cooler doenut gaskets and
the cooler was pretty clean when I changed them and
not it very clean. As far as cleaning out fins and
such goes, All that was done when it had a valve job
done about 15,000 miles ago. Carbs were rebuilt and
have 52s in them, at that time the carbs were balanced
by a friend that is a reputable corvair mechanic.

>From a tuning standpoint what is your timing set at,
or should I ask how close to stock setting are you.

>From all this I assume that you do not have an
electronic ignition or knock supression set up of any
kind. From your recommendations it sounds like you
feel that it's a cooling issue. I'll check the gasket
at the engine shroud. It may be that easy.