'66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
This glorious process continues! I'll be sad when it's all done. Fortunately, the finish line is still quite a ways away so there's still lots of fun to be had.
As I noted in my last post, I cleaned the last harness in the ultrasonic bath and it cleaned up beautifully. After a few repairs, it was ready to install under the dash. As noted, this car was the first to receive my "Racers" fuse panel and I took the time to update it to current specs and reinstall. The only things that gave me trouble were the underdash courtesy lights. Evidently they've seen one too may flexes and three out of four wires broke off during installation. The best solution was a replacement but 6-feet of wiring and two plastic sockets for "Only" $70 + shipping seemed a bit rich. I happened to have an NOS underdash courtesy light kit but it was different than OG because it fit all '66 Chevrolet models so it was much too big and had extra plugs at both ends. I ended up removing the kit's sockets and substituting them for the broken ones. Rather than an obvious "splice", I chose to use OEM Delco connectors so it would all look "like factory". How'd I do? Another fun job under the dash was the installation of a '69 clutch cable. 69 is the only year with a heim joint rather than a pot-metal ball that always breaks. Installation of the wider '69 heim joint requires drilling out the welds in the cross-shaft, adding a .25" spacer, and welding it all back together. It's a great mod. Hopefully this is the only clutch cable this car will ever need. In the engine compartment, I cleaned-up and installed the voltage regulator. Yes, it's aftermarket but it's the very regulator I bought and installed 50 years ago. It makes me smile. Bumper installation went well until I tried to install it.
I sand blasted and painted the brackets: But when I was chasing the threads in the body, the tap broke off! It resisted efforts to be removed so I had to purchase a tap-remover tool ($110) which had the broken tap out in minutes. Once installed I gave it a final shine only to discover what looked like tape residue was actually missing chrome. The shiny silver area was just the nickel underplate. Looks nice otherwise. Boo hiss Next up: Brakes
I cleaned, honed, and kitted the brake cylinders. The cylinders are perfect but unfortunately not original. They'll be fine I guess. All hardware received the glass-bead treatment. New metallic shoes and one wheel is all done. Three more to go but they'll go quickly with all the parts already cleaned. I'm hoping to install the powertrain this week so I brought the engine down from the loft. When the powertrain is installed it's really going to feel like a car!
As I noted in my last post, I cleaned the last harness in the ultrasonic bath and it cleaned up beautifully. After a few repairs, it was ready to install under the dash. As noted, this car was the first to receive my "Racers" fuse panel and I took the time to update it to current specs and reinstall. The only things that gave me trouble were the underdash courtesy lights. Evidently they've seen one too may flexes and three out of four wires broke off during installation. The best solution was a replacement but 6-feet of wiring and two plastic sockets for "Only" $70 + shipping seemed a bit rich. I happened to have an NOS underdash courtesy light kit but it was different than OG because it fit all '66 Chevrolet models so it was much too big and had extra plugs at both ends. I ended up removing the kit's sockets and substituting them for the broken ones. Rather than an obvious "splice", I chose to use OEM Delco connectors so it would all look "like factory". How'd I do? Another fun job under the dash was the installation of a '69 clutch cable. 69 is the only year with a heim joint rather than a pot-metal ball that always breaks. Installation of the wider '69 heim joint requires drilling out the welds in the cross-shaft, adding a .25" spacer, and welding it all back together. It's a great mod. Hopefully this is the only clutch cable this car will ever need. In the engine compartment, I cleaned-up and installed the voltage regulator. Yes, it's aftermarket but it's the very regulator I bought and installed 50 years ago. It makes me smile. Bumper installation went well until I tried to install it.
I sand blasted and painted the brackets: But when I was chasing the threads in the body, the tap broke off! It resisted efforts to be removed so I had to purchase a tap-remover tool ($110) which had the broken tap out in minutes. Once installed I gave it a final shine only to discover what looked like tape residue was actually missing chrome. The shiny silver area was just the nickel underplate. Looks nice otherwise. Boo hiss Next up: Brakes
I cleaned, honed, and kitted the brake cylinders. The cylinders are perfect but unfortunately not original. They'll be fine I guess. All hardware received the glass-bead treatment. New metallic shoes and one wheel is all done. Three more to go but they'll go quickly with all the parts already cleaned. I'm hoping to install the powertrain this week so I brought the engine down from the loft. When the powertrain is installed it's really going to feel like a car!
'61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
- toms73novass
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:58 am
- Location: Grand Island NY
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Looks wonderful! That loft access is so cool.
1962 700 Wagon
1963 Spyder convertable
1965 Monza
1967 UltraVan 211
1963 Spyder convertable
1965 Monza
1967 UltraVan 211
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Thanks Tom! The loft access is super handy. The shop addition to our home is new and our county building department is notoriously tough- I can't believe they let me include the trap door and hoist.
'61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Yesterday: The powertrain went in! A milestone day for the so-called Craigmobile; at least that's what Cody calls it.
IMO, the easiest and safest way to install the transaxle is to do it piecemeal.
First, the input shaft goes into the clutch, then the differential goes onto the bell housing:
I have a 3.27 diff from my other '66 and the diff only has 47k miles on it so I know it's good.
SORRY: The pictures from this point all require a "Click" to orient them properly.
Next, soften the gasket in oil for a while:
No pictures but I ran the trans through the gears before installation and it wouldn't turn! I popped the side cover and evidently someone, possibly me, put the side cover on with a shift fork out of position. I fixed that and tried again but it wouldn't go into reverse. That was easy: the backup switch was stuck. Now we had all four and reverse. Boy am I glad I checked the trans before installation.
The transmission bearing retainer strap was missing so I made one; that took 45 minutes and onto the next thing. I only had two of the six 1" bolts that hold the trans to the diff so... I shortened some longer bolts and ticked another 30-minutes on the clock. Now the transaxle was on the engine which made the jack out of balance and I had to reposition the package on the jack and another half an hour consumed pulling off that process safely. Now we're ready to go! Up she goes! While the engine is "in the hole", there are dozens of things to finalize and connect but this is a serious milestone and the car-sized pile of parts if significantly smaller than it was on Wednesday.
Rechromed bumpers are due today from California Corvairs, Yay! Getting closer every day.
IMO, the easiest and safest way to install the transaxle is to do it piecemeal.
First, the input shaft goes into the clutch, then the differential goes onto the bell housing:
I have a 3.27 diff from my other '66 and the diff only has 47k miles on it so I know it's good.
SORRY: The pictures from this point all require a "Click" to orient them properly.
Next, soften the gasket in oil for a while:
No pictures but I ran the trans through the gears before installation and it wouldn't turn! I popped the side cover and evidently someone, possibly me, put the side cover on with a shift fork out of position. I fixed that and tried again but it wouldn't go into reverse. That was easy: the backup switch was stuck. Now we had all four and reverse. Boy am I glad I checked the trans before installation.
The transmission bearing retainer strap was missing so I made one; that took 45 minutes and onto the next thing. I only had two of the six 1" bolts that hold the trans to the diff so... I shortened some longer bolts and ticked another 30-minutes on the clock. Now the transaxle was on the engine which made the jack out of balance and I had to reposition the package on the jack and another half an hour consumed pulling off that process safely. Now we're ready to go! Up she goes! While the engine is "in the hole", there are dozens of things to finalize and connect but this is a serious milestone and the car-sized pile of parts if significantly smaller than it was on Wednesday.
Rechromed bumpers are due today from California Corvairs, Yay! Getting closer every day.
'61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
-
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 6:32 pm
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Very exciting stuff!!
Cody Hurley
Post Falls, ID
66 monza convertible 140/pg loaded with options
66 corsa turbo coupe 3rd owner
66 Canadian monza coupe 110/pg
65 monza coupe 110/4 daily driver
Post Falls, ID
66 monza convertible 140/pg loaded with options
66 corsa turbo coupe 3rd owner
66 Canadian monza coupe 110/pg
65 monza coupe 110/4 daily driver
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
What a good feeling to have a big piece of the puzzle in place. Looks great.
Sam Russell
1962 Monza Wagon
1964 Monza Spyder
1962 Monza Wagon
1964 Monza Spyder
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Who knew a guy could spend an entire day configuring and connecting things at the south end of the tunnel? That was my Sunday:
Well, I lied a little about Sunday. I also took a minute to install the previously sandblasted and painted front bumper brackets into the perfectly awesome California Corvairs rechromed front bumper. My wife Jan helped me position it in addition to foam-wrapping the ends to prevent paint damage. Job done!
Saturday was "Rear Brake Day" so final parts restoration and installation of all that stuff. I practiced my ninja skills and installed the shoes without using any spring tools - a trick shown to me by a master mechanic over 50 years ago.
Not sure what's next. Maybe finishing the last of the brake tubes at the dual master or the mufflers or the stealth electric fuel pump? Decisions Decisions. At any rate, it's ALL fun! '61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Nice job Craig. I never got into that kind of detail on old cars until I had the time due to retirement.
When folks ask me why it took so long to finish the car I show them the pictures, or have them look under the car.
It is nice to keep busy, I've seen too many friends "retire" and just sit around and fall apart from inactivity. Kind like an old car that is neglected - LOL.
When folks ask me why it took so long to finish the car I show them the pictures, or have them look under the car.
It is nice to keep busy, I've seen too many friends "retire" and just sit around and fall apart from inactivity. Kind like an old car that is neglected - LOL.
- toms73novass
- Posts: 216
- Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:58 am
- Location: Grand Island NY
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Craig, what brake shoes did you use? I have not seen ones with the gap in the middle.
1962 700 Wagon
1963 Spyder convertable
1965 Monza
1967 UltraVan 211
1963 Spyder convertable
1965 Monza
1967 UltraVan 211
-
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:52 pm
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
The brake shoes look like old school metallics to me. I am sure someone else will chime in with a definitive answer shortly.
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Man, this all looks amazing.
Re: '66 Sprint Convertible resto aka "my first car/first Corvair"
Fred has it right, those segmented brake shoes are old-school metallic linings.
I installed metallic brakes when I had the car in the early 70s. Those old shoes were still in place when I started the restoration.
While the front shoes were/are in great shape, the rears were paper thin in places. Remarkably, all four original GM brake drums are still in great shape.
I installed metallic brakes when I had the car in the early 70s. Those old shoes were still in place when I started the restoration.
While the front shoes were/are in great shape, the rears were paper thin in places. Remarkably, all four original GM brake drums are still in great shape.
'61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)