Tag: mechanic
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Tech Tip ~ Late Model Powertrain Installation
Today’s tech tip is courtesy of Fran Schmit of the Minnesota club and originally appeared in the Feb 2007 issue of the CORSA Communique magazine. This procedure solves a difficulty with installation of the powertrain, which requires doing what I tell you before you begin to remove it. I was reminded recently of this when reading a CORSA article about how much trouble someone was having re-installing their late model drivetrain. A late model with its drivetrain out has its rear wheels hanging down a mile. When you want to re-install the drivetrain you can’t get the strut rods back onto the differential housing. The shop manual is of little help as it says, “support torque arm so that spring is compressed to be near curb height”…
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Tech Tip~ Electric Fuel Pump Conversion
Fuel. Gas. Petrol. It seems to be a hot topic of conversation lately! Within our little community, it has been a topic of conversation for a long time. What type of gas should I run? What type of fuel additives should I use? Why does my engine bay smell like gas? Where can I get…
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6 Dangerous but common DIY mistakes
We are big fans of Kyle Smith and of Hagerty! Kyle owns a 66 Corsa and references it frequently in his articles. Hagerty not only insures many of our Corvairs, but their genuine love of the classic car hobby is unmatched. It shows in their digital media, Drivers Club magazines and customer service. If you’re…
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Tech Tip ~ Checking Your Spark Plugs
Checking your spark plugs can tell you a lot about your engine. Is your car running “too rich” or “too lean”? Are you having “hard starts”? Does your car start ok but perform poorly when driving? Do you have regular “pinging” or “pre-detonation”? Not all of these issues can be fixed with a cleaning or…
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Tires!
Tires. We all have them. Some are sporty. Some are skinny. Some are fat. Some are bald. Some are European and exotic, while others like to maintain a low profile. The topic of tires came up at yesterday’s SFBA Holiday lunch. Based on the chatter throughout the room, I would imagine that hundreds of topics,…
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Doug Hargrove’s V8 Corvair
The Modesto area has a rich history of Corvair racers. SFBA life member Doug Hargrove is one of those race car builders and drivers. We thought you would enjoy reading about Doug’s undertaking of an abandoned V8 project Corvair. The original article and a massive archive of V8 powered Corvairs can be found on the…
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Tech Tip ~ Fan Belt Maintenance
With the Fan Belt Toss in the rearview mirror, what better tech topic to discuss than Fan Belt Maintenance so you don’t toss, or better, throw your belt. Courtesy of Mike Dawson and the Central PA Corvair Club FAN BELT MAINTENANCE The Corvair boasted a specially designed belt that G.M. used only after rejecting at…
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Tech Tip ~ Pressure Plate Checking
Tip provided by Mike Dawson originally in the Feb 2024 HACOA Newsletter If you are contemplating installing a used pressure plate, the following may be useful in determining if there are any potential issues. It is always helpful if you personally know the past performance of a pressure plate or if you acquire one from…
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Members stories ~ Priscilla gets a makeover
By Pete Tachis~ I’ve now owned my Corvair, aka Priscilla, for about a year and a half. I feel like I’ve accomplished much in that time, but she still needs quite a bit more work. From minor stuff like, repairing the heat/defrost system, and the shift linkage to major tasks like rebuilding the engine, repairing…
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Tech Tip~ 8 simple adjustments your Corvair probably needs
This article is from Corvair owner and Hagerty Drivers Club writer Kyle Smith. Many are topics we have recently discussed and shared tips on. Some are also on the website Resources and FAQ page. Wheel Alignment Belt tension … and we have been dealing with window glass alignment on the donated Corsa. Don got that…