1964 Monza 110

[mauriceschick]

Hi all. I am the proud new owner of a 1964 Monza 110.

A couple questions off the bat:

- The clutch is hard to press down. I think this just needs a new cable, but happy to hear any other theories.

- Thoughts on electric ignition? Worth doing? Crane or Petronix?

- Anyone know any good mechanics in the SF Bay Area? Preferably Oakland.

Thanks. Glad to be a part of the Corvair family.

[God.favored]

Congrats on the vair!
Probably not a cable, mine was always pretty hard to push, might just not be used to it because it's not a hydraulic clutch.

SF Bay Area? Cool! I'm in vacaville (about halfway between sf and sac.

[bbodie52]

Welcome to the Corvair Forum, and congratulations on your recent acquisition! Can you post some pictures?

...Anyone know any good mechanics in the SF Bay Area? Preferably Oakland...

Corvair-qualified mechanics are relatively rare. This one is a little far from Oakland (about 40 miles south on I-880), but he is a professional Corvair specialist in the San Jose/Santa Clara area.

Mel's Vairmart
Mel Raven
1443 Laurelwood Road
Santa Clara California
Phone: (408) 267-8164
Fax: (408) 267-8164

http://vairmart.com/

You can approach your maintenance on your Corvair in several different ways. The DIY "Shadetree Mechanic" approach is probably the most economical for most things, and it is relatively easy to learn if you have a will, some tools, and a place to work. DIY Corvair owners who learn to do at least some of their own work seem to be the happiest owners, and they become well-prepared to deal with roadside breakdowns as well on these aging cars — when qualified mechanics are unlikely to be nearby. I learned to rebuild my first Corvair engine and Powerglide automatic transmission in San Jose in 1969 at the age of 16 with only a Corvair Shop Manual to guide me. My father provided a garage to work in, a good supply of tools, a floor jack, jack stands, etc., and he funded parts and machine shop work, as needed. Modern assistance from sources like the Corvair Forum can make things much easier in ways I could not have dreamed of in 1969! There are also numerous CORSA (Corvair Society of America) club chapters in California, and club members are often willing to assist each other with everything from tune-ups and carburetor rebuilds to engine and transaxle removal, brake jobs, engine overhauls, etc. Bodywork and rust repair generally fall outside the do-it-yourself arena, because the welding and body-working skills involved are more difficult to master. Generally, the more mechanical work you do yourself the more you will save. Parts suppliers like Clark's Corvair Parts have been around since 1973 and are highly successful for good reason.

If you can find a good professional Corvair mechanic, this would likely be a good backup approach for those jobs you don't feel you can tackle yourself. If you locate a nearby CORSA club chapter and choose to join, the experienced Corvair owners can also advise you regarding DIY repairs, and when it would be advisable to turn it over to a professional. They can also give you recommendations for good repair and body shops in your area.

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

Corvair Forum viewtopic.php?f=225&t=6007

You may find it beneficial to contact the nearest CORSA club chapter and get to know the members. Websites like this one are of great benefit, but there is nothing like face-to-face contact with like-minded Corvair enthusiasts in your local area. Many CORSA chapters are well-organized and family oriented, and often offer social get-togethers that include picnics, competitions, scenic drives, technical discussions, etc. that can all be beneficial. Some CORSA chapters are well-organized and well-developed, and others are not. It depends on the nature and attitude of the membership.

The closest CORSA chapter to you is based in Orinda, which is only about 10 miles from your location. They may also be able to recommend good Corvair mechanics and good body, paint and restoration shops. If you are interested, here is some contact information...


CORSA Chapter Locator -
San Francisco Bay Area CORSA

Chapter ID: 947
Organization Name: San Francisco Bay Area CORSA
Street Address (Primary): P.O. Box 422, Orinda, CA
President: Tony Richards, PO BOX 765, Mill Valley, CA 94942 - (415) 261-4762, email: Lonetree12@yahoo.com
Vice President: Harry Kypreos, 7840 Creekside Dr, Dublin, CA 94568, email: HKypreos@epicor.com
Secretary: Clark Calkins, 1907 Alvarado Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94597 - (925) 478-8909, email: CaCalkins@astound.net
Treasurer: Fred Garrity, 113 Alamatos Drive, Danville, CA 94526
Newsletter Editor: Clark Calkins
Newsletter Name: Spyder Web
Sample Newsletter:

SFBA CORSA - Spyder Web Newsletter - August 2014.pdf

SFBA CORSA - Spyder Web Newsletter - August 2014

(692.26 KiB) Downloaded 17 times

Website: http://clubs.hemmings.com/corsanews/
Email (Primary): CaCalkins@astound.net

Meeting Time & Place: First Thursday of each month. Location - Denny's in Danville, CA - Hwy 680 at Sycamore Valley Rd. Meetings start at 7:00 PM. (About 25 miles from Oakland).

...The clutch is hard to press down. I think this just needs a new cable, but happy to hear any other theories... Thoughts on electric ignition? Worth doing? Crane or Petronix?

I would suggest downloading the shop manual for your Corvair, using the link I provided. Use the shop manual to help you to perform mechanical inspections and evaluations of your car, so that you can become familiar with it. Contacting the CORSA chapter I mentioned can also help. Ask the members if they would be willing to take your Corvair on a test drive and have them look it over. Their prior knowledge and experience can be very helpful, and they can tell if the "feel" of your clutch is abnormal. The cable in your car could be worn or frayed, or one of the pulleys could be binding or in need of lubrication. Clutch and parking brake cables can snap without warning, so periodic inspections and maintenance on your cables is a good idea and is not difficult to do. You could also check out the mechanic I mentioned in the San Jose area and discuss your car with him. Such an initial contact could reveal a lot to you about your car, and that introduction can help you to decide whether or not you want to continue having that mechanic maintain your Corvair.

Since Corvair parts are difficult to find locally, ordering parts from reputable and well-equipped sources like Clark's Corvair Parts is something of a normal routine for Corvair owners. You can order everything from routine maintenance items like oil and air filters, and tune-up components to emergency spares like a replacement clutch cable and/or pulley(s), a hard copy of the 1961 Shop Manual and 1964 supplement, etc. Ordering in bulk and consolidating your order into a single shipment can save significant money by putting everything into one large shipment, instead of numerous smaller shipments. It is a good idea to have an emergency spares kit in your trunk to help you to deal with roadside repairs. Include some hand tools, spare parts like fan belts, a clutch cable, perhaps a fuel pump, etc. These items can fail in a 50 year old car, and having such items on-hand can make a roadside repair possible. A cell phone and membership in an organization like AAA can make an unexpected breakdown much-more manageable. Such considerations are a part of driving and enjoying a classic car like your 1964 Monza.

With regard to your question about electronic ignition systems, I have had good experience with the optical trigger unit from Crane Cams. I would tend to lean in that direction.

Ted in Atlanta has a lot of professional Corvair experience. I remember his recommendation...

...I love my Crane ignitions. I have only ever seen one that had failed. Something I can not say about the Pertronix units where failure is somewhat common from what I have seen.

Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up. Full time restoration tech and mechanic. https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... ge=OTTO-21

Crane Cams XR700 Optically Triggered Installation Catalog Page.pdf

Crane Cams XR700 Optically Triggered Installation Catalog Page

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Crane Cams XR700 Optically Triggered Installation Instructions.pdf

Crane Cams XR700 Optically Triggered Installation Instructions

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I would like to encourage you to expand on your initial post and tell us more about yourself, your Corvair, and your goals for your Corvair. If you can describe your personal assessment of your mechanical skills and abilities, that would help a lot. Members of the Corvair Forum love to be helpful in assisting other Corvair owners with technical support and advice, but it helps a lot if we have some understanding of your technical background and mechanical abilities, Corvair-related knowledge, etc. Helping us to know more about you and your Corvair will help us to write comments to you that are tailored to your needs and experience. Pictures are great too, because pictures of your Corvair will help us to visualize where you are with your Corvair and its condition at the present time.

[cad-kid]

Welcome to the family

[bbodie52]

Here is some more specific information on the clutch cable system...

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... N&page=112


Part number C127: 60-64 CAR CLUTCH CABLE 108 1/2" END TO CENTER OF CLEVIS PIN

Weight: 1 lbs 0 oz
Catalog Pages(s): 112,113(19)
Price:
1 - 1 $ 29.70
2+ $ 27.35


Part number C507R: PULLEY-60-64 CLUTCH-USES 3, SOLD EACH

Weight: 0 lbs 4 oz
Catalog Pages(s): 112,112(A),U,14(24)
Price: $ 9.95


OPTIONAL MULTI-KIT:
:LINK: http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... graygo.y=0
Part number C10283: ULTIMATE CLUTCH CABLE KIT-60-64
This part is a Multi Kit, which contains the following parts:
Part Number C127: 1 x 60-64 CAR CLUTCH CABLE
Part Number C3786: 1 x BUMPER-RUBBER-CLUTCH & BRAKE PEDAL-2
Part Number C38R: 1 x 60-64 CLUTCH RETURN SPRING-ALSO FOR 1
Part Number C40: 1 x CLUTCH ROD ADJUSTING SWIVEL
Part Number C469A: 1 x NUT-EMERG BRAKE CABLE & 60-64 CLUTCH CAB
Part Number C507R: 3 x PULLEY-60-64 CLUTCH-USES 3, SOLD EACH
Part Number C6801: 1 x 60-64 PLASTIC CABLE GUIDE
Part Number C6843: 1 x SCREWS-FOR GUIDE C6801 60-64
Part Number C6872: 2 x CLUTCH & BRAKE PEDAL BUSHING-2 NEEDED
Part Number C6873: 1 x CLUTCH PEDAL SHAFT SNAP RING 60-64*
Part Number C7367: 1 x SEAL-60-64 FT CABLE COVER-BY ACCEL PEDAL
Part Number C992: 1 x 2 CLIPS-ACCEL & CLUTCH LINKAGE SPECIAL-


Weight: 2 lbs 15 oz
Catalog Pages(s): MK,7
Price: $ 87.55

Since a spare clutch cable in the trunk is recommended (a broken clutch cable on the road can be a real "show stopper" with a replacement cable days away), you should inspect your cable and pulleys. If the problem is a broken or faulty pulley, and if the existing cable is not frayed or damaged, you might consider ordering replacement pulley(s) and at least one new cable. If the old cable appears to be serviceable, you could still replace the old cable (unknown remaining service life) and then keep the old cable as an emergency spare.

[mauriceschick]

Thanks for the detailed reply Brad. I will call Vairmart right away.

My mechanical ability is moderate -- I have done most basic work (routine maintenance, changing alternators, starters, ignition, etc) on my cars for years, but don't have the space or the tools for more involved projects. This is my first Corvair: I am just getting rid of a 1978 Firebird, and in the past have had a 62 Caddy, a 66 Chrysler Newport and a 74 BMW 2002. My goal with the Corvair is just to have it be a reliable, regular driver (as much as that can happen with a 50 year old car). Not making it show quality or anything.

I pulled off the interior cover of the clutch cable yesterday and lubed the pulleys. It helped a little but it is still very stiff. I'll get under there as soon as I have the time to jack it up. Is it all going to be fairly self explanatory when I'm under there? I have the instructions on adjusting the linkage in my shop manual and it seems pretty straight forward.

Thanks again.