Cad-kid's 65 Monza - my first Corvair

[malibusled]

When you pull the sending unit, it's a good chance to replace your "filter sock" on your sending unit.
Very cheap, and good piece of mind, and it will only take a second.

Congrats on the underside, can't have a nice house, without a good foundation.
Looks like you have a great car.

[larry202br]

Vairy nice car, the 140 is a big plus. Any idea what caused the paint to crack and craze like that?

[cad-kid]

Vairy nice car, the 140 is a big plus. Any idea what caused the paint to crack and craze like that?

Thanks

The best theroy is the car was repainted with acrylic laquer (same type as from the factory). And it was put on pretty thick in places. Laquer tends to crack with age and the car probably was not stripped down to bare metal. One thing to do before it becomes my daily summer driver is to seal up the problem areas in the paint. The trunk lid has a few large chips missing and down to bare metal

[cad-kid]

Last month on one of those cold Wisconsin days I checked out the classifieds on the Corsa website http://www.corvair.org I purchased a late model instrument cluster (1968) and a engine compartment lock (missing the key) from John Bertsch. The transaction went smoothly and the items were as described

I wanted the cluster for the late fuel gauge so I can use the "brake" light feature as a parking brake signal on my 65. I think I will use my current cluster lens (no "brake" script) so on first glance it will maintain a stock appearance My future plans were to add a factory clock so with this cluster I was able to get both goals met

The clock was fun to work on - after some fresh lube it started right up. The points just needed some cleaning with the proper electronics cleaner. The final piece was to install a blocking diode to reduce any spark when the points seperate - works excellent!

Just for kicks I tore down the speedo and found it to be in nice condition except for a siezed up main bearing. Soaking the lower piece of the speedo in ATF for a few days worked wonders. It's always good to have some spare parts on hand (as my 65's speedometer seems to work well).

As for the engine compartment lock - I cleaned up the aluminum bracket and tore down the lock cylidner. Then I found a key that fit and rearranged the tumblers so the lock would function.

It was a good time at the basement work bench

[Scott H]

wow, I'm impressed! Maybe you should write up a short DIY on how to get those things repaired and working like that.

[cad-kid]

wow, I'm impressed! Maybe you should write up a short DIY on how to get those things repaired and working like that.

Excellent idea Scott I will work something up when I change the gauges over to my 65. When I purchase another clock or end up repairing mine again I will write up something for that.

[cad-kid]

Today it was just warm enough for me to remove the carbs (36 deg - brrr). Being my first time pulling carbs off a Vair motor it went pretty well. I only got stumped for a couple of minutes trying to find the other carb attachment nut - I didn't realize the stud went through to the top of the carb - I was feeling around the base of the carb for the other nut

Later this weekend I will tear into them and start the cleanup work

[cad-kid]

Tonight after work I pulled off the turkey roaster. I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of a mouse nest There was only a tiny amount of insulation tucked in the corners. Tonight was also a great time to inspect the engine number "RM" (140 manual non-Corsa) -
That's great news as it is correct for this car - Bonus!

[Jimbo]

looking good and very clean under there, now is a great time to put a light under the heads with the bottom shrouds off and see if the heads need deflashing, that will make a BIG difference in the cooling. But looks like your doing good, wish mine was that far along. keep on keepin on Jimbo

[flat6_musik]

I second that, about the deflashing......if you've got the time. Looks good and well-sealed up, that's great! Didjya wanna do those oil cooler seals now too? :D

[cad-kid]

You both read my mind! Oil cooler seals are in my parts stash (ordered last month). After I get the low compression issue straightened out I will see if a de-flashing is needed.

[cad-kid]

It's been a pretty good week - Wednesday my coworker brought his son and his son's friend over to help move the Corvair (remember the carbs are still off). The move was a simple one - just across the street to my garage. Today I had some time to put the car up on jack stands and start to do a little cleaning. Needless to say I was very happy to find a warning sticker for the limited slip diff (burried under the jack). Since the car was on jackstands it was easy to verify
- rotated one wheel and the opposite turned the same direction




Sure was great to have 2 HS Football players be the motive power

[malibusled]

You both read my mind! Oil cooler seals are in my parts stash (ordered last month). After I get the low compression issue straightened out I will see if a de-flashing is needed.

It's a 140, de-flashing is always needed.

De-flashing is the single most effective way to make your engine run cooler.
You want your 140 to run cool, so valve seats stay where they're supposed to.

[cad-kid]

It's a 140, de-flashing is always needed.

De-flashing is the single most effective way to make your engine run cooler.
You want your 140 to run cool, so valve seats stay where they're supposed to.

Thanks Ed Great timing on your post. The oil cooler is back in and the next step is to start de-flashing the heads. And as a side note I replaced the broken push rod and loosened up the valves on the offending cylinders. Now I have 150 psi on the 2 cylinders that were dead

[bbodie52]

wow, I'm impressed! Maybe you should write up a short DIY on how to get those things repaired and working like that.

Excellent idea Scott I will work something up when I change the gauges over to my 65. When I purchase another clock or end up repairing mine again I will write up something for that.

I was reading through this thread and noted the comments on the Monza instrument cluster repair. I remembered an article in an issue of the CORSA Communiqué from May 2012 regarding Corsa speedometer repair. Although it does not pertain directly to the Monza speedometer, some of the techniques and procedures may have some application to the Monza unit, and the article can certainly help Corsa owners. I thought I would post the extracted article here to supplement anything you choose to write on the instrument cluster work you have been doing.

CORSA Tech Topics - Speedometer Overhaul - Communique - 2012 May - Vol 34 - No 4.pdf

CORSA Tech Topics - Speedometer Overhaul - Communique - 2012 May - Vol 34 - No 4

(1007.26 KiB) Downloaded 80 times

Also, here are some links to websites that can provide some support for instrument cluster repair and restoration...

Dash Restoration Parts
http://www.whitegauges.net/categories/D ... ion-Parts/

ClocksAndGauges.com
http://clocksandgauges.com/gpage.html

OMICRON Clock
http://omicronclock.auctivacommerce.com ... ?k=corvair

[cad-kid]

Thanks for the great info and links Brad