<VV> advice for what to tune up....

Harry Yarnell hyarnell1 at earthlink.net
Tue Apr 21 08:37:08 EDT 2009


If the heater hose is shorting to the starter terminal, I'd check it as soon 
as possible. The chance if it catching fire are great.

Harry Yarnell
Perryman garage and orphanage
Perryman, MD
hyarnell1 at earthlink.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brett Griffin" <fly2xs at gmail.com>
To: "Frank DuVal" <corvairduval at cox.net>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> advice for what to tune up....


> Thanks for the note.
>
> It is a 62' Monza 900 Convertible.  Yea the key does not have to be in.
>
> Basically what I can tell it is the starter solenoid.  The draw is on the
> larger positive battery cable that goes to the starter.  Since the starter
> works fine I assume since it starts and operates correctly.
>
> Someone mentioned a frequent problem of an heat duct shorting on the
> terminals.
>
> Thanks for all the help, Hoping to get her running next weekend.
>
> *Brett Griffin
> **Technology Designer
> *brett at architechtronics.com <http://jennifer@architechtronics.com>
>
>
> *main*  (425) 889.9800       hiddentech.com
> *visit our blog! * hiddentech.com/blog
>
> Home control. Theater. Audio. Lighting. Energy Savings.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Contact Me: [image: Linkedin] 
> <http://www.linkedin.com/in/brettgriffin>[image:
> Twitter] <http://twitter.com/hiddentech>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 8:39 PM, Frank DuVal <corvairduval at cox.net> wrote:
>
>> Brett,
>>
>> You didn't mention what year Corvair you have. If it is a late model
>> (1965-1969), you may be not reading the words associated with the key
>> positions on the radio faceplate. The clue to me is "with the key in 
>> lock".
>> Why would it matter if the key was even in the lock?
>>
>> Off on a late is the key straight up and down. Turning the key all the 
>> way
>> counterclockwise puts the electrical system in the Accessory position. 
>> And
>> yes, there is significant draw on the battery with the key in the 
>> accessory
>> position. I have had many a new Covair driver (not necessarily the owner,
>> but a borrower) leave a late model in the accessory positon and then call 
>> me
>> to diagnose the dead battery!
>>
>> If truly inserting the key alone makes the system draw 4 amps, please 
>> give
>> us more details.
>>
>> Frank DuVal
>>
>> Brett Griffin wrote:
>>
>>> OK,
>>>
>>> So I did some basic maintenance this weekend.
>>>
>>>
>>>   - Found I have a 4 amp draw on the large positive cable with the key 
>>> in
>>>   lock.  Bad Starter or Coil? Installed a Quick Disconnect so I don't
>>> drain
>>>   the battery again. Starts fine on a good charged battery.
>>>   - Discovered the generator has no output, or not enough to overcome 
>>> the
>>> 4
>>>   amp draw.
>>>   - Found a sticky throttle plate linkage, cleaned and lubricated that.
>>>
>>> Hoping to meet someone in the Seattle area that would be willing to help
>>> me
>>> get her running smooth.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the advice, I did order a carb rebuild kit. That will be next
>>> weekend.
>>>
>>> *Brett Griffin
>>> **Technology Designer
>>> *brett at architechtronics.com <http://jennifer@architechtronics.com>
>>>
>>>
>>> *main*  (425) 889.9800       hiddentech.com
>>> *visit our blog! * hiddentech.com/blog
>>>
>>> Home control. Theater. Audio. Lighting. Energy Savings.
>>> -------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Contact Me: [image: Linkedin] <http://www.linkedin.com/in/brettgriffin
>>> >[image:
>>> Twitter] <http://twitter.com/hiddentech>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM, shortle <shortle556 at earthlink.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> That is a great question:(what to tune up). If you are using points for
>>>> your ignition make sure your point gap/dwell is correct and then your
>>>> initial ignition timing is set to specs (w/ the vacuum hose 
>>>> disconnected
>>>> and
>>>> plugged going to the distributor). Then make sure your spark plugs are
>>>> the
>>>> proper type with proper gap and that they are clean (not fouled). If 
>>>> you
>>>> are
>>>> certain the ignition system is in proper order, then it is time to
>>>> address
>>>> the fuel system. A great book is Bob Helts HOW TO IDENTIFY/REBUILD
>>>> CORVAIR
>>>> CARBS". It is available thru vendors and even the author himself. It
>>>> makes
>>>> for easy reading with plenty of explanations and pictures. Strongly
>>>> recommended. Of course, look for vacuum leaks. The hoses connecting the
>>>> vacuum balance tube are known for leaks. Make sure carbs are tight. 
>>>> etc.
>>>> etc. Good luck.
>>>> I hope this is helpful.
>>>> Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> From: Sethracer at aol.com
>>>>> Sent: Apr 18, 2009 10:05 PM
>>>>> To: fly2xs at gmail.com, virtualvairs at corvair.org
>>>>> Subject: <VV> advice for what to tune up....
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> In a message dated 4/18/2009 7:16:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
>>>>> fly2xs at gmail.com writes:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello  all, this is my first post to this list.
>>>>> I inherited my mothers 1962 Monza  900 Convertible in November.
>>>>>  Yesterday
>>>>> was the first time it has been  driven in a long time.  A number of
>>>>> years
>>>>> ago
>>>>> the entire drive train  (engine to wheel bearings) was rebuilt and 
>>>>> there
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> is
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> only 340 miles on the  odometer now.
>>>>>
>>>>> It took a bit of time but it is now running and sounds  good.  I have 
>>>>> a
>>>>> Couple of issues I am hoping to get some insight  on.
>>>>>
>>>>> 1. On deceleration and Idle, the engine will backfire softly. No
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>  backfiring
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> on acceleration or maintaining speed.
>>>>> 2. When the engine is  cold it will not idle by itself.
>>>>> 3. Acceleration is rough except on wide  open throttle.
>>>>> 4. Gen/Fan light glows during idle and is very very faint  while 
>>>>> driving
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> on
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> the highway.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Brett - Almost all of the above symptoms are indicators of Carb 
>>>>> issues.
>>>>> Sitting for a long time is tough on the inside of Carbs and the rest 
>>>>> of
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> the
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> fuel  system as well. I suppose you have cleaned out the tank and the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> lines,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> so the  carbs are being supplied with enough clean gas. The Corvair 
>>>>> carb
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> is
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> one of the  easiest carbs to rebuild. If you pick up a couple of 
>>>>> rebuild
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> kits
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> and thoroughly  clean out and systematically rebuild the carbs, that 
>>>>> is
>>>>> a
>>>>> good first step. Two  things that can trip up a first-timer with the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Corvair
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Carbs is setting the idle  speeds and the choke alignment. While
>>>>> removing
>>>>> the carbs, check to see if the  choke springs provide a good
>>>>> spring-loaded
>>>>> vertical thrust to the rods. It is  easy to misalign these and have 
>>>>> them
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> catch
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> inside the passage in the head. When  cold, those choke springs should
>>>>> provide plenty of upward thrust to push the  chokes closed and raise 
>>>>> the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> idle.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> (The chokes are only pushed closed when the  throttle has been pushed
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> open.)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> When the motor warms up just a bit, those  springs relax and the rods
>>>>> are
>>>>> pulled down, unloading the chokes and dropping  the fast-idle cams 
>>>>> away
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> from
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> the throttle arms. Setting the idle speed, and  balancing the idle
>>>>> between
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> the
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> two carbs is a procedure that you would be best  consulting the shop
>>>>> manual. It usually involves a special tool such as a vacuum  gage or
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> Unisyn to
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> measure flow. You will need to disconnect the link from the  throttle
>>>>> cross-shaft to the drivers side carb during the idle speed  balance
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> setting.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Otherwise, your adjustments on one carb are fed across via the  shaft
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> linkage and
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> tweak the other side settings. The trick is to get  both carbs passing
>>>>> the
>>>>> same amount of air at idle, the idle down to a  reasonable RPM - this
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> depends a
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> bit on the transmission type - and the  engine to idle with no vacuum
>>>>> feeding to the vacuum advance unit. It is a  balancing act.
>>>>>
>>>>> You can check the real charging voltage by measuring the voltage at 
>>>>> the
>>>>> battery during Higher RPM running, or in a pinch, on the road. There 
>>>>> is
>>>>> no
>>>>> charge at idle with a generator, but the voltage should go up as the
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> engine
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> RPM  increases. If it doesn't, start looking at the regulator or
>>>>> Generator
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> as
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> the  culprit, but always clean the battery cables well as the first
>>>>> step.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Any  insight would be greatly helpful.  I am in the Seattle Area and
>>>>> hope
>>>>> to
>>>>> see those in the area at future meet ups!
>>>>> There is a great group in your Backyard (Don't run and check - I mean
>>>>> figuratively).  Corsa Northwest has a history of Corvair help. And 
>>>>> there
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> is  a
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> great Corvair event coming up - a bit East, but worth the drive. It is
>>>>> the
>>>>> NorthEast Econorun.
>>>>> >From their information page:
>>>>> "The dates are Friday June 12th through Sunday June 14th. More
>>>>> information
>>>>> about the show and the Econorun is available here:
>>>>> http://www.corvair.org/pdf/2009EconorunRegistration.pdf
>>>>> If you can make it,  it should be quite a weekend.
>>>>>
>>>>> Enjoy driving that car, Brett. If it has really old tires, do a 
>>>>> thorough
>>>>> check on them before driving much.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Seth  Emerson
>>>>>
>>>>> C's the Day! - Corvair, Camaro, Corvette
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> easy
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> steps!
>>>>> (
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220814852x1201410738/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DAprilfooter419NO62)
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>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
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