Instrument panel Swap

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King68
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:30 am

Instrument panel Swap

Post by King68 »

I am taking the "power-slide" transmission out of my '68 Monza and replacing it with a 4-speed manual out of a '66. I have procured a number of (what I believe are) Corsa instrument panels over the years. I'd like to know how to select functional gauges from the selection I have.
Is there is a good way to do that? I purchased new wiring harnesses from Clark's, including a new fuse box, all of which are for the manual transmission '68 car. I figure that that part won't be an issue.
joelsplace
Posts: 1950
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:51 pm
Location: Northlake, TX

Re: Instrument panel Swap

Post by joelsplace »

The vacuum gauge will have to have a vacuum applied to it to test. The fuel gauge grounds through the sensor so if you ground that terminal with the panel powered up it will read full. The clock just needs power to test. The speedometer can be run with a variable speed drill motor. Watch to see if the odometer and trip meter advance and the needle moves smoothly. The tachometer can be tested with a 6V A/C power supply. You'll have to search for that since I've never done it.
157 Corvairs, 5 Ultravans and counting
Northlake, TX
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bbodie52
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Re: Instrument panel Swap

Post by bbodie52 »

The Corsa instrument panel clock is most likely a failed component. They are mechanical clocks that were always unreliable and often failed in a fairly short time period.

A replacement quartz electronic clock mechanism would make more sense in classic automobiles, if the external face and hands could be retained and the internal replacement electronic clock could be hidden from view. I believe that the original electromechanical clocks will unfortunately fail repeatedly due to burned contacts that suffer some damage each time the contacts close to rewind the mechanical clock. Vehicle vibration and environmental shock to the mechanism probably doesn't help with mechanical clock longevity either.

If you want to retain this instrument in the Corsa instrument cluster, you may want to look at the replacement electronic clock mechanism shown below. These have been offered on eBay for years...

S-30151 Quartz Conversion Clock Repair Kit
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:link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-30151-Quartz ... SwIrBbbKsw


The manifold pressure/vacuum gauge was a part of all Corsa instrument panels, but they were primarily useful only in the 180 hp turbocharged Corvair Corsas. They are not of much value in a normally-aspirated Corvair engine. If you wish to connect this gauge, you will need a tubing kit like the one listed below. On the 140 hp normally-aspirated engine, the gauge was connected to a special vacuum balance tube that included the correct fitting. You would need to fabricate an intake manifold connection for this gauge.

Stewart Warner Performance Nylon Tubing Kits M-82553-F

:link: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sww-82553-f

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These Stewart Warner Performance nylon tubing kits allow you to connect your mechanical pressure gauges to your engine. They feature high-quality nylon tubing and include a brass reducer bushing adapter and fittings. The Stewart Warner Performance nylon tubing kits have you covered with your choice of 6 ft. or 16 ft. nylon tubing.


The Corsa speedometer is often functional, while the odometer and trip-mileage portion fails due to worn-out drive gears. These components are usually not available to replace worn-out items. The CORSA article attached below will provide some information on Corsa speedometer maintenance and repair. The complete CORSA magazine issue is also attached at the end of this post...
Corsa Speedometer Repair - Communique - 2012 May - Vol 34 - No 4.pdf
Corsa Speedometer Repair - Communique - 2012 May - Vol 34 - No 4
(785.62 KiB) Downloaded 30 times


You might also consider mounting modern gauges in the Corsa plastic instrument panel. Seth Emerson offers a mounting kit that lets you mount aftermarket gauges into the Corsa panel. You could substitute more-useful and informative gauges, such as an oil pressure gauge or a voltmeter, in place of the less-useful vacuum gauge and clock...
Corsa gauge mounting plates

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Kit includes 4 separate plates, Speedo/Tach/Upper center gauge pair/Lower center gauge pair. Fits – 1965-66 Corsa Dash

(The Corsa Dash will fit into 65-69 cars)

Parts are usable individually or in any combination. Upper pair and lower pair are replaced as a pair of gauges. Plates retain the gauges from behind, pressing them up against the back side of the dash. No cutting or modifications to the dash panel are needed. Use original mounting screws. Stock Speedo can be retained. Standard 3 3/8” Speedo/Tach and 2 1/16” aftermarket gauges work fine. Cost $44 + $8.50 shipping

Add $3.96 sales tax, if shipping to an address in California.
:link: https://www.perfvair.com/dash-parts-steering-columns/



Some custom wiring will be needed to install the Corsa instrument panel, either with standard instruments or with aftermarket gauges. The diagrams below will help you to review the differences in the Monza and Corsa instrument harness. The warning lights, illumination lights, turn signal lights, and high beam indicator are somewhat common to both instrument panels.

Left-click each image to enlarge for better viewing. Click a second time for maximum enlargement...
1965 Corvair Monza Full Schematic
1965 Corvair Monza Full Schematic
1965 Corvair Corsa Full Schematic
1965 Corvair Corsa Full Schematic
1965-1969 Corvair - Instrument Cluster and Body Harness
1965-1969 Corvair - Instrument Cluster and Body Harness
1965-1966 Corsa Engine Warning Circuit
1965-1966 Corsa Engine Warning Circuit
bbodie52 wrote: Tue May 01, 2018 6:01 pm

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:link: http://www.vairtrix.com/index.php#!/HOME
ABOUT VAIRTRIX

Vairtrix is an obsolescence management company dedicated to the preservation of classic vehicles.
Vairtrix’s principal architect has been a Corvair owner since 1973 and possesses over 35 years of experience in developing sophisticated military and automotive electronic systems with high survivability that are used in the harshest of environments. He is a former member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).
Image
Re: Advanced Corvair Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor by Vairtrix

:link: http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.ph ... 867,page=1


:link: http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... age=SUP-27
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Part number C1717: 62-64 TURBO CYL HEAD TEMP SENSOR *THERMO COUPLER - REPLACEMENT FOR THERMISTOR

Weight: 0 lbs 4 oz
Catalog Pages(s): SUP-27
Price: $ 149.95


Part number C1718: 65-66 TURBO & 140 CYL HEAD TEMP SENSOR *THERMO COUPLER - REPLACEMENT FOR THERMISTOR

Weight: 0 lbs 4 oz
Catalog Pages(s): SUP-27
Price: $ 149.95


Image

Part number C10888: THERMISTOR ADAPTOR-THERMISTOR INTO 80-110 HP HEADS -- DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN

Weight: 0 lbs 2 oz
Catalog Pages(s): 51
Price: $ 12.60


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The Corsa and Monza instrument panels can also develop problems with the electric instruments. The panels are plastic, so a metal conductive grounding strap links the electric gauges together and then ties them to chassis ground at a single point. If the single screw that attaches that grounding strap to the metal dashboard becomes loose or corroded, the electrical ground to the instrument panel components may be lost and this can disrupt the operation of the electric gauges and illumination lights.

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Attachments
4 - Communique - 2012 May - Vol 34 - No 4.pdf
Corsa Communique - 2012 May - Vol 34 - No 4
(3.46 MiB) Downloaded 18 times
Brad Bodie
Lake Chatuge, North Carolina
Image 1966 Corvair Corsa Convertible
joelsplace
Posts: 1950
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:51 pm
Location: Northlake, TX

Re: Instrument panel Swap

Post by joelsplace »

The original clocks can often be repaired. If you add a diode they last long time.
157 Corvairs, 5 Ultravans and counting
Northlake, TX
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