Corvair Forum

It sounds like you have a goal set. And I’m sure you’ll get the help, advice, and direction from the many who’ve been down the path that are tuned in to the forum, and possibly a local club in your area. Did you happen to get the Corsa yet?

It is a lot of work, but I had to go this route as my fender tops were so badly corroded, pitted, and thinning, as was the trunk rim. Additionally, the front was dented from a previous wreck and the headlight openings were severely rusted away. I’ll show a few before photos below. The body is rigid,...

Hi Connor. I didn’t have much space to work with myself, so I rented a reasonably priced storage facility. Roughly 10’x15’, but have it nearly full of parts removed as well as donor parts from cars I stripped. Organized chaos in other words. I’m looking forward to updates when the wrenching begins. ...

Another good day of progress on the nose section yesterday. I was able to at least get the main weld seams completed down each side on the outer fenders. :woo: This welding was very time consuming. I wasn’t exactly watching the clock or trying to get it done as fast as possible, because I was trying...

I’ve been reading through your thread and find it really interesting and informative. Nice job on the work you’ve done! I may pick up a couple of yours tips and tricks for my project.

More steady progress this week. I received the gas tank kit and was able to prime and paint the tank with good old rust oleum. Brush applied, it laid down good and thick. Before painting, I washed and wiped it down with solvent as well as giving it an internal rinse with gasoline. Also I was able to...

It looks better than my car did, and I’m deep into metal reconstruction. (You’ll see on my thread.) If you’re not experienced with welding, start in easy hidden spots. You’ll get better quickly. I recommend a good mig welder, not a flux core. I’m using C25 gas and 0.024 wire for sheet metal. Hopeful...

Got a few more hours in earlier today on the project and began repairs on one of the headlight openings on the donor. I tackled the worst one first. Even though the donor has some rusted out areas, it’s way better than what was on the car. It looked like this was going to be challenging at first, bu...

I was able to get the driver’s side front floor pan in today. What a good feeling to see the progress! :guitar: It’s come a long way since August. My gas tank delivery was delayed a few days, so I’ll turn towards working on the front nose, trunk rim, and fender tops section. Once I get that on the c...

Hi Sparrow. About your question about the shocks. What you’re used to are “gas charged” shocks. Before the gas shocks came on the market, there was only the standard hydraulic shocks. You’ll get a softer ride with the standard ones. The gas ones make for a stiffer ride.

Thanks for the encouragement sparrow. :ty: Tonight I completed welding the passenger front floor pan in on the top side. I’m pleased with the fit and finish. It seems really solid! Hoping to get the drivers side in this weekend. I ordered the “deluxe” gas tank kit from Clark’s. Should come next week...

Tonight I started installing the Clark’s floor pans. I looked in the forum for tips and threads. Some of you guys out there have done some nice work! :ty: How I’m installing mine began with trimming the outside edge first. (You begin with the passenger side first.) Then a lot of bending and hammerin...

Shifted gears a bit today and focused on prepping for the Clark’s floor pan install. I thought the pans would fit a bit better, but I found that bending, hammering and trimming is required. :banghead: I also realized that I had better apply some rust preventative coating to the surfaces before I wel...

Days of welding has continued on the 65. I finally have the entire front subframe/trunk/front floor welded in. :woo: An interesting note is that my original subframe was only carbon steel and had single side supports to the rocker panels. My donor subframe was from a ‘66 convertible. The main rails ...

Great information and advice on the engine and transmission. :ty: The Clark’s 304 cam sounds attractive. Any experience with the Clark’s high stall converter? I recall from when I drove it as a teen, the car would give you the nice aroma of oil in the winter when you would run the heat. I also had t...

It’s certainly a labor of love! But I’ve given myself a very aggressive schedule. I’m hoping to have the car back on the road this summer….2022. So if this project goes as planned, it will be faster paced. To meet that goal, I need to finish the front end, and then turn focus towards my the back end...