<VV> Corsa Dash Install questions

[Shelrockbored at aol.com]

I've rewired a '64 and '65 Monza.  I'll describe the '65 since  that is 
more in line with what you have in mind.  If you are going to try  to rewire it 
yourself (i.e. without the replacement harnesses) my advice is do  not even 
attempt to do this without the schematic diagrams available in the  
Technical Service Shop Manuals.
 
A friend of mine is converting his '65 Monza PG to a Corsa 4 speed.   The 
car will not of course be numbers specific but it will be a functioning  
Corsa.
 
We installed clutch and standard brake pedals after removing the PG brake  
pedal and PG shift cable.  But what you want to know is how to install  a 
Corsa dash in a Monza.  First of all both will bolt right up to the dash  
fascia with little difficulty other than lining the new dash up with the correct 
 screw holes.  (This is a perfect opportunity to check that all screw  
holders are present and afford you the chance to replace any that are missing or 
 broken.)  The book Corvair Basics describes the  removal process 
perfectly.  Installation is a little more difficult  but not too bad.  The Corsa dash 
is considerably heavier than the  Monza.
 
Be aware of the ground strap when re-installing.  If this is not  connected 
correctly the dash will, "go haywire" when power is  applied.  I had 
experience with this in my first car (a 1970  Buick Skylark GS) when I was a kid.  
A friend had the same  problem in an early 70's Pontiac.  GM cars from this 
era were prone to this  problem so be aware.  
 
To answer your first point, unless you want to do some wiring yourself you  
must purchase a Corsa wiring harness.  We had an old Corsa available which  
we raided for parts and wiring harnesses.  A new harness from Clark's costs 
 in the neighborhood of $350.00 for the behind the dash harness.  
 
Additionally, the main harness which runs along the tunnel will  also have 
to be replaced.  This one is under $100.00 available from  Clark's.  Again 
you could wire it yourself but that is a very complex  operation and you 
would need the wiring schematic to accomplish this.   Remember the Monza does 
not have a tach and all the wiring which  runs the tach would have to be 
installed along with the heat gage.  The  schematic calls for 20 gauge wire to 
run the tachometer.  
 
In order for the heat gauge to work a thermister would have to be installed 
 in the head.  The 140 (as well as 180 turbo, et  al.) head has a provision 
for this but I don't know if a 110  does.  Remember the Corvair is an air 
cooled engine so an  aftermarket sender is useless here.  At last report 
replacement  thermisters were rare and expensive.  I have no idea how this could 
be  installed in a 110 if that is the engine you are using in the  car.  
110 and 140 heads are quite different.  
 
For the vacuum gauge, a vacuum line could be run and attached to  the 
vacuum pressure lines in the engine.  This is probably the simplest  task.  Again 
the 140 etc has a provision for this but it should not be  difficult to 
connect a vacuum line to existing vacuum conduits.  In  most cases all that 
will be needed is a T junction.  Or if you prefer  a more stock appearance the 
140 etc. crosstube (there is a formal name for this  which I cannot recall) 
accommodates the plastic vacuum hose which runs from the  dash through the 
tunnel to the engine.
 
These parts will not be easy to find as they are Covair specific.   Your 
best bet is Clark's Corvair but I imagine some parts will have to be found  in 
scrape yards.  The Corvair Ranch might be helpful here.   

Hope this helps.
 
LICA Webmaster
 
In a message dated 9/20/2011 9:35:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
dixon5553 at yahoo.com writes:

Would  like to know what's involved with installing a Corsa dash in a Monza 
- it's a  1966. 
1. How do you attached this to the Monza's wiring harness so  everything 
works, what modifications are needed if any.

2. Tach  hook up - what gage of wire, and where is this attached on the 
cluster  and the  distributor or? 

3. Vacuum line - do I just  run a plastic tube to the engine and where is 
this connected to on the  engine?

Any other tips and suggests are welcome.  

RD
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