My Field Find 65 Corsa Heads-after at least 27 Years

[GasDaddy140]

Hi,
So in brief, the story was that this 65 Corvair Corsa was driven around for years in the Sacramento CA area by the daughter of the purchaser. After she was done with college and moved on, he decided to restore it; he was an aviation mechanic, but unexpectedly died before it was finished. Next the unfinished project was bought cheap by a neighbor and parked in a field, where it sat for at least 27 years. Sounded like a tall tale to me, but the car was mostly complete and straight. However, when I tore down the engine and split the case I realized that the story was ringing true. The big valve heads had all new valves and valve springs. A car friend and I removed a couple random valves to check, like new parts and seats. The camshaft with the "89" last numbers looked really good, like it was refreshed. Cylinders honed! Bolted clutch and pressure plate and disk, like new. I've decided to re-use the pistons as they have not been actually running in a car for so long. Plus if the guy was going to use them, I feel like I'm going to finish his work. I've been told to buy new cast, but I'm not sure if they're made as good as they used to be anyway.

Take a look :)

[xrotaryguy]

Grant find! And a pleasant surprise. Much better than buying a project that turns out to be a basket case.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Corvair Forum mobile app

[notched]

The camshaft you refer to can be 1 of 2 GM cams. The first is the 891 cam which was used on all early 65 140's and later just 4 speed 140s and all 110 engines. The second is the 889 cam used on all 95 horse engines and the later 65 and up 140 Powerglide engines.
If you are this far in and they are original GM pistons I would replace them. The stock GM pistons are prone to cracking and the tops can separate with catastrophic results. They can also separate at the oil ring lands. New pistons are far superior to what was offered in the 1960's. Technology has come a long way. Forged is still king for racing and heavy duty use. But hypereutectic pistons are definitely a vast improvement with their high silicon content which helps make them much stronger and dimensionally stable. Stock pistons are fragile!
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/file.ph ... ton_22.jpg
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/file.ph ... ton_33.jpg

[bbodie52]

OOPS!
The links you placed in the above post were rejected by the website server.

Permission denied: links to files in the forum are only allowed from the forum itself.

[MtnVairMike]

The camshaft you refer to can be 1 of 2 GM cams. The first is the 891 cam which was used on all early 65 140's and later just 4 speed 140s and all 110 engines. The second is the 889 cam used on all 95 horse engines and the later 65 and up 140 Powerglide engines.
If you are this far in and they are original GM pistons I would replace them. The stock GM pistons are prone to cracking and the tops can separate with catastrophic results. They can also separate at the oil ring lands. New pistons are far superior to what was offered in the 1960's. Technology has come a long way. Forged is still king for racing and heavy duty use. But hypereutectic pistons are definitely a vast improvement with their high silicon content which helps make them much stronger and dimensionally stable. Stock pistons are fragile!
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/file.ph ... ton_22.jpg
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/file.ph ... ton_33.jpg

Corvair Center doesn't allow direct files links externally.
You may have to post the photos here.

Thanks,

Mike

[notched]

Here ya go! Cracked piston

[GasDaddy140]

Thank You for the piston information, I guess it time for new pistons. The camshaft is ending in 891, early 140. I've read mixed reviews on it, some good, some bad...

[notched]

Some more pics someone posted on Facebook of the top separation.
The 891 cam is not bad. I have one in the 140 in my 69 convertible with a 4 speed and it works well.
There are aftermarket cams that are better. If you have the engine entirely apart then that would be the time to replace it.

[GasDaddy140]

Thank you for the depressing broken piston pictures, Notched.
I'm going to run the 891 cam though, it looks to be in good shape. I've read that they are "zoomy." Is you car zoomy?

[notched]

I have no problems with the 891 cam. It drives great and pulls nice when punched at 60 mph. No complaints here.