Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

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Maine61
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Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

Post by Maine61 »

Hey folks.names Carl. Lucked out with a 61 rampside as a first resto project.True barn find. NFS! Last reg. In 66. Mainly the rockers under the doors and drivers side panel behind cab. Gonna be lookin for some advice and parts if any are to be found. if anyone is interested in helpin me figure it out.,gonna start with power train and brakes. Gonna start with new plugs, wires. Battery and cables. Oil change and filter along with a zinc additive I was told. Gas line to follow. Along with filter and tank flush. New gas with a lead additive. No breaks at this time, but gettin it off the trailer pit it in 1st gear and kinda chugged to a halt. So I thonk it's got compression. Time will tell when I put the compression gauge to it. Thinkin of using sea foam to cylinders before starting. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you
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Maine61
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Re: Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

Post by Maine61 »

Carl's 61
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bbodie52
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Re: Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

Post by bbodie52 »

:fc front: ::-): :thumbsupwink: :welcome2: :wave: Welcome, Carl, to the Corvair Forum!

Since you are apparently new to Corvairs, and your Rampside is to be your first restoration project, I'm going to hit you with a large collection of somewhat random facts, details, Corvair information, and links to numerous supply, support, and technical information sources that may be of use to you as you dig into your project…
:assault:

Last registered in 1966??? Rip van Winkle only slept for about 20 years… Rip van Rampside must of been asleep for more than 50 years!

I wouldn't worry about a lead additive for your Corvair. The Corvair already has hardened valve seats that were appropriate for the air cooled engine design in the 1960s. The removal of lead from gasoline was never really an issue for the Corvair.

Selection of the Right Motor Oil for the Corvair and other Engines

:link: http://www.widman.biz/Corvair/English/Links/Oil.html

Assuming your 1961 Rampside is equipped with a manual transmission, changing the gear lube in the transmission and differential (transaxle) would be a good idea. Be sure to use ONLY a GL-4 gear lube. GL-5 gear lube can cause damage to the yellow metal components in the manual transmission. Since the gear lube in the transmission and differential is shared between the two, GL-4 must be used in both.
GL4 ONLY.jpg

Removing your car from storage/Reviving a Dead Corvair

:link: viewtopic.php?f=225&t=5030


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:link: http://www.corvair.org/chapters/corvanatics/index.php

Corvair Truck Production Statistics
Corvair Truck Production Statistics
You should be aware of some of the unique features of the 1961 Corvair. The very first model year (1960) was essentially a prototype. There were quite a few changes implemented in the 1961 Corvair, and developmental changes continued to appear in the 1962 Corvair. Some of these changes make your 1961 engine unique, in that the distributor, fuel pump, and manual choke carburetors were all redesigned in 1962. Those 1962 changes essentially remained through the end of Corvair production in 1969. The manual choke was eliminated and only appeared in a 1961 model year. The distributor in your Corvair utilizes different internal components and a different distributor cap, and the early design was only seen in 1960-1961 Corvairs. Even the fuel pump was redesigned slightly, with later Corvairs utilizing a fuel pump with a push rod that was a different length. If you plan to drive your Corvair regularly, you need to be prepared somewhat for potential breakdowns and roadside repairs. The unique distributor and fuel pump in your 1961 can cause compatibility problems if you ever need to replace components associated with those parts. Corvair parts are already somewhat difficult to locate, and your unique distributor and fuel pump may present you with additional problems should the components in the distributor or the fuel pump ever fail. It is often a good idea to anticipate the need for roadside repairs by having a few spare parts in an emergency toolkit. For example, a spare fuel pump is often a good idea, but if you were to purchase one you would probably also need to purchase a replacement push rod that would have to be substituted along with the fuel pump. The new distributor design is compatible with the 1961 engine. At some point you may choose to substitute the later design distributor to simplify routine tuneup procedures. Many Corvair owners choose to replace the original ignition points with an electronic breakerless ignition system, such as those produced by Crane Cams or Pertronix. But those upgrade systems are only compatible with the 1962-1969 Corvair distributor. Reduced maintenance and increased reliability can be attained by replacing your distributor with a later model distributor coupled with an electronic ignition upgrade.

The master cylinder in 1960-1961 Corvair passenger car brake system was unique to those years (1961-1962 FC vans and trucks also had a unique master cylinder that was different from the passenger cars). A replacement design in 1962 uses an entirely different mount (1963-1965 FC vans and trucks inherited the same brake master cylinder used in 1962-1966 Corvair passenger cars). A dual master cylinder was mandated and implemented in 1967. Upgrades to earlier Corvairs to fit the dual master cylinder as a substitute for the earlier single master cylinder is possible, but only on 1962 and later Corvairs. The unique mount of the master cylinder in your Corvair does not allow substitution of the later single or dual master cylinder design.
Master Cylinders.jpg

As previously mentioned, fuel pump design was changed in 1962 and used a different push rod to drive the pump. The 1961 fuel pump rods are only 3-5/8", while 1962-1969 rods (the current design for all replacement fuel pumps) are 3-13/16". The page shown below is from the Clark's Corvair Parts online catalog. It shows the details of the new pump and push rod.

CLARK'S CORVAIR PARTS MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP OPTION (Page 65)
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http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... IN&page=65
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The original steel cooling fans found on 1963 and earlier Corvairs were heavy. To some extent, they acted like a flywheel and caused additional stress on the fan belt as the cooling fan fought with the crankshaft pulley as engine speeds changed. The fan belt in your Corvair will, to some extent, be exposed to less stress because of the shift characteristics of an automatic transmission which applies continuous power without the up and down shift patterns associated with the manual transmission. The lightweight magnesium cooling fan that was introduced in 1964 helped to improve fan belt reliability, and substituting the magnesium blower for the early steel blower has become a popular upgrade.

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1960-early 1961 distributor is shown on the right…
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I didn't want to get "into the weeds" too much by placing too much emphasis on small details. But owners of 1960 and 1961 Corvairs have some unique parts interchangeability issues that they should be aware of. Owning a classic car often places unique responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep on the owner, and knowledge of certain unique characteristics of your Corvair can be helpful.
bbodie52 wrote:If you have a generator-based charging system, this information applies...

CHARGING SYSTEM (GENERATOR TYPE ONLY)

Whenever the battery is disconnected from the vehicle for any reason the polarization procedure should be performed.

The recommendation on how to polarize a charging system is the following: After the installation of a battery, generator or voltage regulator follow these procedures. The terminals on the voltage regulator are labeled with letters and this is where you will do the polarizing procedure. Both of the components will have battery power so do not start the vehicle or turn on the ignition switch before polarizing them. You will need a small piece of wire fourteen or sixteen gauge with alligator clips on the ends. Find the "Batt" terminal on the regulator and attach one of the alligator clips, find the "Armature" terminal and touch the terminal with the other alligator clip. You can touch the terminals a few times and it will produce a soft light spark.

:nono: Under no circumstances touch the "Field" terminal or any other part of the regulator or you could damage the regulator.

:link: http://www.vv.corvair.org/pipermail/vir ... 13475.html

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What you want to do is polarize the generator. If in fact it ran with reverse polarity, everything should be fine after this process. You should not have damaged anything yet.

With key off, use a piece of 14 gage or larger wire to jump between the battery and armature terminals of the voltage regulator. I am at work without a shop manual, so I forget the actual writing on the terminals. BUT, it is the top and middle terminal on Corvairs (with the regulator mounted stock position, red wires on top terminal).

It will spark! Hold for 1 or 2 seconds. The wire may also get warm, be prepared.

Start engine again and check for red light going out.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO POLARIZE A NEW GENERATOR BY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES IN THE CORVAIR SHOP MANUAL. THIS PROCEDURE IS DESCRIBED ON PAGE 8-18 OF THE ATTACHED SHOP MANUAL SECTION. This polarizing procedure applies ONLY to vehicles equipped with a GENERATOR. It does not apply to vehicles equipped with an alternator.

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Incidentally, if you ever consider upgrading your ignition system to make use of a breakerless ignition system to eliminate the ignition points and condenser (magnetic or optical trigger), there is another option besides purchasing a used 1962-1969 distributor and fitting it with the electronic ignition system. Some time ago Performance Corvair began offering a complete replacement distributor. It is fully adjustable and includes a magnetic pulse electronic ignition system in its design. When you compare the costs involved with purchasing a used Corvair distributor, rebuilding and overhauling it, and purchasing and installing an aftermarket electronic breakerless ignition system, the cost of a brand-new electronic ignition distributor from Performance Corvair really makes more sense. Once you upgrade the ignition system in your 1961 Corvair, the time and labor and parts involved with an ignition tuneup is greatly reduced.

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:link: https://www.perfvair.com/stinger-ignition-distributors/

The brake system in your aging Corvair needs to be monitored. The condition of the aging seals in the master cylinder and wheel cylinders is certainly questionable. All should be inspected regularly. The flexible brake hoses also should be monitored, as they can swell on the inside and restrict brake fluid flow. Of course the drums and brake components should be inspected and repaired, as needed, and the brake fluid should be flushed and replaced every few years. (Brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air over time. Excess water build-up in the fluid can rust steel brake lines and cause corrosive damage to the internal wheel and master cylinders. Moisture in the brake fluid will also lower the boiling point, which can result in early brake fade as the brakes get hot).

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The link below will provide you with a list of useful websites that are Corvair-related. Some of the links will lead you to an extensive technical library that will allow you to download shop manuals and other technical references in Adobe Reader format at no cost. There is also a link that will help you to locate nearby CORSA (Corvair Society of America) club chapters. While the Corvair Forum can be very helpful as you work on your Corvair, having local friends and contacts in your region who are knowledgeable about the Corvair can also be very helpful. These family-friendly CORSA chapters often offer picnics, group scenic drives, technical training and assistance, car shows, and competition events that can greatly enhance your enjoyment of Corvair ownership. You will also find a list of essential Corvair parts suppliers. Clark's Corvair Parts is the biggest and oldest Corvair supplier in the world. You will find a link that can provide you with a series of videos that amount to a tour of the Clark's Corvair Parts facilities. I think you will be amazed at the quality of the reproduction components they offer — particularly the interior carpeting and re-upholstery items. Parts suppliers such as this truly make our Corvair hobby possible.

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

:link: viewtopic.php?f=225&t=6007

:dontknow: I would like to encourage you to expand on your earlier post and tell us more about yourself. 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. Also, do you have a garage to work in and hand tools, jack stands and a floor jack, etc. to support Corvair maintenance and restoration projects? Helping us to know more about you will help us to write comments to you that are tailored to your needs and experience. Knowing your location is also useful, because knowing where you live can sometimes suggest possibilities. If you can post some photographs of your Corvair we would love to see your Rampside, too.

:welcome:
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
Image 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
joe moore
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Re: Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

Post by joe moore »

Hi Carl nice truck like to see some pictures of the inside and under side if you need information you came to the right place again nice project joe

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toytron
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Re: Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

Post by toytron »

Welcome Carl. You picked a fine vehicle as your first corvair.

Ed Stevenson

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Trip
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Re: Names Carl.,.gotta 61,rampside. NFS.Just sayin.

Post by Trip »

Welcome and congrats! You've found yourself a fantastic way to join what I think is the best damned classic car group there is. Corvairs are easy to repair and maintain, a ton of fun to drive, and even more fun to talk to people about if you educate yourself on the subject.

Educating folks about the many misconceptions related to Corvairs is one of my favorite things to do, and car guys tend to be pretty interested when the topic comes up.
Ray "Trip" Rodriguez III
Gouldsboro, PA
66 Corsa 140 coupe
65 Corsa 180 Turbocharged coupe
64 Monza Convertible
61 Air conditioned Monza coupe (Missy's)
See them here: https://tinyurl.com/ydc7txrf
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