<VV> RE: Comment on VirtualVairs Digest, Vol 34, Issue 73

james rice ricebugg at mtco.com
Mon Nov 26 15:25:10 EST 2007


Steve:  When you dropped the drive train, did you snag the shift tube and
bend it up front?

I did that once, and could not get all the gears at the same time.  We were
beside ourselves and in process of dropping the drive train again when my
co-conspirator noticed linkage was hanging (in a not) funny way as we
started to process.  I don't remember how we bent it straight.  I think we
tightened the 4 bolts at the front down real tight and put a floor jack
under the shaft until it looked parallel to bottom of car, loosened the
bolts to correct specs and hooked it back up and got all the gears.

Historically Yours,
			James Rice

****************************

Message: 10
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:18:15 -0800
From: "Steve Brennan" <Alohaz at ca.rr.com>
Subject: RE: <VV> New Clutch Isnt Working
To: "'Chris & Bill Strickland'" <lechevrier at earthlink.net>,
	<virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Message-ID: <04a101c82ff4$22164670$6642d350$@rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="US-ASCII"

My Spyder sat in a carport in Anaheim California from 1974 to 2005.  In
spite of this, it ran quite well, and I used it to teach my 17 year old
daughter how to drive a stick shift.  We then got it painted and a new
interior put in, and I decided to put a Kevlar clutch in just to play it
safe.  The old clutch worked quite well, with no slipping, but once my
daughter wanted the Spyder as "her" car, I just figured that I would err on
the side of caution.  Plus, I had never dropped a Corvair drive train, so I
thought it would be an interesting project.

As for the details you ask about, let me admit up front that my memory is a
bit fuzzy on this stuff because I did this work in June of this year (I
spent the intervening months soundproofing the engine compartment, changing
the rear axle bearings, and powder coating the shrouds, fan, pulleys, etc.).
That said, if I recall correctly, I installed the pilot bushing using the
transmission input shaft, as I was using Bob Helt's book as a primary guide.
I also recall reading that a deep socket of a specific size worked to tap
the bushing in, and I believe I used that technique to confirm the bushing
was all the way in.

Anyway, if I knew then what I know now, I would have realized that the
bushing could present a problem, because after using the input shaft to
install the bushing, I had a heck of a time getting it back out.  So I
cleaned everything up real good and worked the shaft into the bushing until
it released more easily.  I am embarrassed to admit that I really do not
recall testing to see how easily the shaft spun in the bushing.  Frankly, I
thought that any tension would quickly be removed because the bushing was
oil impregnated brass.  Rookie mistake.

As for other potential problems, I do not recall any problems with the
clutch hub binding on the shaft.  I do, however, believe I did have to close
the gap between the differential and bell housing  by tightening up the
bolts.  Unfortunately, it has been too long for me to really be sure.

All other clutch engagement parts appear to be working well, and I do not
believe I bent the disc. I see no evidence of any cable or pivot problems,
everything appears to adjust as it should and, as I posted previously, I
have been able to watch the throw out bearing sliding into the pressure
plate through the use of a mechanics mirror placed in the starter hole.
That is one reason that I have been so perplexed -- everything looks like it
is working perfectly.  But for whatever reason, I can't put the car in gear
when it is running: when trying to put it in 1st 2nd or 3rd gear, the
shifter just won't go into gear.  4th and reverse, on the other hand, will
allow me to attempt the connection, only to be met with a very determined
synchro grind, i.e., those gears are not even thinking about slowing down.

As for posting pictures, if you or anyone else can tell me what
parts/images/angles might be of use to a trained eye, I will take them and
post them.  But right now, I just can't figure out what I can show.  That
said, I agree with you that if I do drop the drive train again, I really do
not know what I will be looking for, other than perhaps a very tight or
seized pilot bushing.  Still, it appears I have run out of other options.

I appreciate very much all the thoughts and suggestions you and others have
shared.

Steve





More information about the VirtualVairs mailing list