Corvair Forum

I look at it this way, you generally want the window to stay up when you have it closed. So I crank the window up until it is closed and then position the handle so the handle weight helps keep the window closed. On the driver's side this is generally anywhere between the 8 o'clock to 10 o'clock po...

Al -- I noticed the "WHITE" LED bulbs were bright and tended to "wash out" the orange needles. I fixed that issue by going with the "WARM WHITE" LED bulbs that emit a light color similar to an incandescent bulb. Now all the gauge and needle colors look good and have the...

That all makes sense. Guess I'm really wondering how stiff their Heavy Duty convertible shocks are. I do not know who stiff they are, I bet someone here has the factory load rating. IF the front springs are NOT cut then I don't change them. Corvairs sat a little high in the front when new to meet t...

Glad you found the problem. It takes a "skilled" hand to fix a gauge as they are fragile. I found some pictures of a couple EM fuel gauges I worked on decades ago. They show two different designs. One used rivets to attach the rear resistor, the other does not. Be careful installing the in...

I run stiffer shocks on my 4 door 66 (the old Clark's adjustable no longer made), but I run stock springs. Handles well, but a little harsh on rough roads. On my 66 convertible I set the shocks on the SOFTER setting and use stock springs. The convertible body is not as torsionally stiff as the fixed...

That trunk looks great. Just a suggestion. If you haven't cleaned and lubed the trunk latch mechanism, then I suggest doing it. Just something that makes the car nicer everytime you open the trunk with the key. I soak the door and trunk latches in solvent (gasoline is fine IF done outside). I follow...

Brad - I do us dielectric grease on contacts, but I'm reluctant to use it on the dimmer rheostat wire as it is nichrome wire and it can get warm, ever hot. That said I've never measured the wire temperature with the lights dimmed. Not sure how warm the wire gets, but the wire is in a cerarmic holder...

If you do decide to put in a new 10SI alternator, use a three wire, not a one wire. The latter sometimes have trouble self energizing at low speeds. To "turn on" at idle speeds (after just starting the car) the alternator circuit needs electrical power. Different schemes, but the GM desig...

Yes a lot of information. Do pick a wheel YOU like. I run period Camaro Rally wheels since a buddy gave me two sets decades back. They are 14" with a 4.5" backspace (that is mounting side to edge of rim) and 7" wide (that is bead to bead, NOT rim to rim edge) On the front I run a 205/...

The headlight "grinding" as you turn the knob is typical. There is a metal blade that moves across the resistance wire coil. After decades the wire and blade get corroded. Simply rotating it back and forth can clean up the contact if not badly worn. DO NOT lubricate the blade and wire! Cor...

Nate - I did not notice a mention what year your Corvair is! The advice given here has been good. Running a LONG wire from the engine compartment for ground is not advised. Better to find a good body ground close to the gauge. Usually the gauges are reliable, BUT after decades corrosion can affect t...

So far the comments to your problem have been excellent. I did NOT notice what alternator you are using? Is it the 10DN external regulated alternator, the 10SI internally regulated alternator and is it the ONE WIRE, or THREE wire design? Does the instrument cluster FAN/GEN warning light come on when...

A FAIR price is one the buyer and seller agree on. As the saying goes -- "It never hurts to ask". Let me know what it sells for. Nobody likes inflation, except when they sell their house!!! I lived through 1979 when inflation was OVER 13%. My mortgage was 15% :woo: Of course I was getting ...

I found an announcement on the other forum that Steve Goodman is celebrating 57 years in the Corvair business. There isn't a nicer gentleman that this fellow. Send him a thank you message. Years ago Steve Goodman (Rear Engine Specialists in Colorado) helped our club get a Spyder turbo car running f...

I've used several of the Autozone alternators lately, it seems. All have worked just fine. None had the right fan - but easy to swap the one off of my core. Good comment! For years folks have noted the "rebuilt" Corvair alternators often have a new "incorrect" fan and pulley ins...

I think you need to define how you want your engine to sound. I have found out that not all mufflers are as quiet as the stock muffler. I purchased several different mufflers then set them on the car and they ALL sounded the same! They were reasonably quiet but only half as quiet as stock. You can ...