Full disclaimer, this article was original generated from CJ Pony Parts, a Mustang restoration website. Before you reach for the tomatoes and raw eggs to throw, this is a informative and thoughtful article for those of us who are new on our Corvair journey. We have made slight modifications to make this article more Corvair specific, but want to tip the cap to Bill Tumas and CJ for the inspiration. The original article is available here.
1. MISUSING OR ABUSING HARDWARE
There are a lot of different sized nuts, bolts, screws, and clips on vehicles. Using the wrong size socket or too small of a screwdriver can cause you to strip a bolt or round the head off a screw. Good luck trying to remove them if this happens to you. The best way to avoid stripped screws or broken hardware is to just find the right sized tools for the job.
Another thing to be careful of is cross-threading bolts. If you’re installing something and the bolt feels wrong, it probably is. This happens a lot, but with time you’ll start to get a feel for whether a bolt is truly “in.” Cross-threading can damage the threads or even break the bolt. If this happens, you’ll have to buy a kit to remove the broken or damaged bolt. A good rule is to always try to finger tighten a bolt before you reach for the wrench. This is especially important for Corvair owners as we are often bolting steel fasteners onto an aluminum block, so be careful!
2. BUYING EXPENSIVE TOOLS
In second place on our list is buying tools that are more expensive than you really need. If you only work on your car a few weekends each year, you don’t need to buy the best tools from Snap-on or Matco. These brands make great products, but if you’re only using them occasionally, they’re not worth the investment. Just buy the essential items and tools for your garage and you’ll be fine. The guys in the comments aren’t spending your money. Most stuff from Harbor Freight will do the job.
If you start breaking stuff regularly, then buy something of better quality so it lasts longer. But don’t spend too much money on one tool when you could get a whole set for less. That way, you have more options and are more likely to have the right tool for the job. Garage sales, swap meets and craigslist can be great places to find good high quality tools at discount prices.
3. USING GIMMICKY TOOLS
While those “one-size-fits-all” ratchets and sockets can be cool, they usually don’t do a good job and can potentially damage or break the bolt. It’s always better to invest in a good set of sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers instead of getting one tool to do the job of many.
4. IGNORING TORQUE SPECS
It can be a pain to look up the individual torque specs for your Corvair or the parts you’re installing, but it’s easier than ever thanks to the internet. Corvair service manuals, tech guides and the Corvair Center Forum are all great resources.
You don’t need an expensive torque wrench, but get yourself a decent one so that you can be sure you’re doing the job right.
5. MISUSE OF FLUIDS
From using the wrong type of transmission fluid to over- or under-greasing something, there are lots of ways to screw up fluid maintenance. Make sure you know what fluids and lubricants are required for your Corvair and that you’re using the proper amount of each one. Knowing the correct product and correct amount to use is very important. Do a little research before you tackle the job and you’ll only have to do it once instead of twice!
Anti-seize is important, so don’t be afraid to use it if the manufacturer calls for it, even if it gets all over your hands. However, make sure you follow the directions and use a reasonable amount. The same goes for grease and gasket maker, so be sure to get the right kind and quantity of each so the job is done properly.
Related: If you’re not sure what fluids you need for a certain job, reference the Corvair Center Forum. Create a free account and then join the SFBA private forum.
6. NOT DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY
if you’re working with any electrical components, you need to disconnect the car battery. Even though 12 volts may not seem like a lot, it’s enough to give you a good shock. Furthermore, disconnected wires or those lying around can touch something and cause an electric arc, which can damage electrical components.
7. LEAVING CRITICAL COMPONENTS UNCOVERED
Leaving open areas of your engine, transmission, or other critical components exposed while working on them is a recipe for disaster. If you’re working near an exposed opening in your engine, just cover it up with some tape.
The last thing you want to do is drop a fastener or a small piece of plastic down into your engine. This will surely cause damage and could potentially ruin the engine. Tape is cheap and considerably easier to remove than a piece of debris from your engine.
8. WORKING AROUND SOMETHING INSTEAD OF MOVING IT
If a part or component is in the way while you’re working, just move it. For example, if you’re trying to replace your oil pressure switch and the generator/alternator is in the way, remove it instead of trying to work around it.
The more space you have to work with, the smoother the installation is going to go. You’re also less likely to damage bolts and other components since you’re not using a bunch of extensions or swivels.
9. GETTING IN OVER YOUR HEAD
It’s easy to bite off more than you can chew when you first start working on cars. Our final tip is to not get ahead of yourself. There’s an old saying that an elephant can be eaten, but only one bite of a time. Pick a component of your Corvair to work on. Fuel system, brakes, electrical… it doesn’t matter, but choose one. Start small, go slow and have patience with yourself as you learn.
YouTube and social media can make repairs look easier than they really are, since they have editors who cut out the mistakes, hang-ups and time lapse video to condense the time actually spent on the project.
The worst thing you can do is take on a project that’s too difficult for you to handle. You’ll feel bad about yourself and your abilities, and you won’t want to try again. It’s just not going to be any fun.
Start small, go slow and take pride in the little victories. Ask questions! Club members love to help when they can, even if it’s just showing support and encouragement. Gaining knowledge and confidence, you will soon better understand your Corvair and work your way up to the big projects. The most important thing to remember is that this is a hobby. Never forget to have fun along the way!
Did we miss anything? Hit that comment button and share your experiences or let us know something important we missed.
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