Better sockets, was Re: <VV> new teen driver

[FrankCB@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/12/04 2:42:09 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
akinzelm@greatnortherncorp.com writes:
During the safety inspection, the right rear turn signal failed to work.  I 
was standing off to the side (observing), so I mentioned that 'older cars are 
sometimes cantankerous' and asked if I could look at it.  A bit of wiggling & 
it started working, & the tester passed it.  My daughter passed her test easily.
She has been driving it to school.  Although it is a beater (albeit good 
running), she gets positive comments from her fellow students.
She also asked for some education so she can do some of the work on the car 
herself.
Andy,
    Good place to start with that education is the Corvair Basics Manual.  
Learning how to do tune-ups and how to check all the liquid levels is a good 
beginning.
    Regarding the erratic tail light, I'm sure we can all sympathize with 
your problem.  Unfortunately, the Corvair used only 2 wire leads depending on 
rather tenuous grounding through the socket of the bulb to replace the 3rd wire.  
While this might have worked OK 40 years ago, it's not too reliable NOW.  The 
answer is to convert the sockets to THREE wire ones so that the ground has 
its own separate wire.  The best socket I have found is the Calterm #08543 for 
about $3.50 made in Taiwan.  While it's specified for the Ford, it fits our LM 
Corvairs just fine.  You will have to establish a separate body ground 
connection for the grounding wire by using a sheet metal screw into the metal near 
the tail light.  Do not use the Conduct-Tite #85860 unit (from China) available 
from some shops at the same price.  It fits loosely and does not seem as well 
made as the Calterm.
    Good luck with your new driver in the family.
    Frank Burkhard