1961 'Vair Engine Issue

[RGoodwin]

A little background first. I bought a buggy with a 1961 engine and tranny installed. I was told that the car was running and driving, and to an extent it is. Unfortunately, it runs horribly. The problem I'm having is, one, getting the car started, two, getting the car started once its been running for a bit, and three, timing. I've rebuilt the carbs, gave it a tune-up and everything. It does start, but it takes forever for it to. And once I shut it off after running for a bit, it doesn't want to start up again. Is this a timing issue? Valve lash? Anything would be great. Thanks.

[funvairs]

" gave it a tune-up and everything."

"Tune up" means different things to different people

Did you:
Test compression
Replace plugs, points, condenser, cap, rotor, plug wires
Balance the carbs
Set the dwell or set the points
Set the timing
Check for vacuum leaks

What did you use for plug gap, dwell angle, and timing advance?
61 has manual chokes. Do they work?

[bbodie52]

There are just too many variables to begin to answer your question based on your brief one-paragraph description. Even your definition of a "tune-up" would be questionable. The actual carburetors and distributor installed on your "1961" engine could have changed many times over the years. For example, the 1961 Corvair was the only model year with a manual choke. Which carburetors do you have, and are they configured for proper choke operation? The 1960-1961 engine had a unique distributor, and in 1962 the distributor was redesigned. Which distributor do you have?

Distributor Design...

1960-1961 Engines had an early distributor design with a clip-on distributor cap. 1962 and later engines had a new design with the centrifugal advance weights under the breaker plate and a screw-on distributor cap.

Did your tune-up include a carburetor overhaul, or was it just an ignition system tune-up. Have you run a compression test on all cylinders? One of the first steps in the tune-up section of the shop manual includes running a compression test. This test evaluates the condition of the pistons, rings, cylinders, head gaskets, and the valve train. If one or more cylinders has poor compression results, no amount of tune-up of the ignition system or fuel system can overcome an engine that is mechanically unsound.

Some detailed photographs of your engine might help to define your engine configuration. The engine serial number and cylinder head casting numbers would also help to confirm the engine configuration. After more than fifty years and after numerous previous owners tinkering, many engine parts often are substituted.

Are you using a factory shop manual to guide you? The following link will provide you with websites from which you can download shop manuals and numerous other Corvair technical guides and references for free in Adobe Reader format...

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

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


Watching the video presentations below helps to provide insight and understanding about proper sequencing of the tuneup steps and procedures. Skipping around can insert obstacles and problems with getting he engine properly tuned.

Tuning the Corvair Engine — Part 1



Tuning The Corvair Engine — Part 2



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. Knowing your location is also useful, because knowing where you live can sometimes suggest possibilities to resolve some issues or problems.