Introduction

[dgaravito455]

Hey everyone!

My name is Daniel and I recently bought a 1964 corvair monza with my father back in November. Since we are new to the community, maybe we could ask for some assistance. My father and I would like to modify our engine. We would like to replace the generator with an alternator and perhaps down the road, make it turbo charged. Does anyone know someone that could perform something like that? Thank you all so much for giving the time to read this. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[66vairguy]

Hey everyone!

My name is Daniel and I recently bought a 1964 corvair monza with my father back in November. Since we are new to the community, maybe we could ask for some assistance. My father and I would like to modify our engine. We would like to replace the generator with an alternator and perhaps down the road, make it turbo charged. Does anyone know someone that could perform something like that? Thank you all so much for giving the time to read this. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

As Brad often says "Were are you?" Knowing your general location folks and clubs can be suggested. The 1964 is the best of the EM series (60-64). It sounds like you need someone to do the work on your car and that can get expensive. Upgrading to the alternator is a common upgrade and many threads here about it. I suggest you look for them. It would help if we knew what engine and transmission now in your car.

The turbo engine is desirable, but it is not a "BOLT ON" proposition IF you want it to be reliable. The turbo Corvair engine had many differences compared to the other Corvair engines. An alternate would be going to the four carburetor 140HP engine. That said for those who don't do their work I recommend the 110HP engine which you probably have now. Adequate, trouble free, and fun with the 4 speed transmission. BTW - if you are increasing HP then an examination and possible overhaul of the transaxle is strongly suggested.

[dgaravito455]

Hello

Thank you so much for the response. We live in Los Angeles, California. Our 1964 corvair has a Turbo-Air 6 air cooled engine. The car is an automatic. It currently has an overheating problem as the engine needs new carburetors. We understand that it could be expensive. Is there any recommendations you have? Thank you.

[Dennis66]

Welcome. Two things I will help address:
First, a little of the details on converting to an alternator. You will need the alternator mount. This is a casting that sits on the top rear of your engine (where the oil goes in). You will also need at least 3 longer bolts as the alternator casting is thicker on the alternator end, and a gasket from a Corvair supplier such as Clark's or California Corvairs (I have used both, and just received a Clark's order today). Both are reasonable on prices. Yu will need an alternator that is fitted with a Corvair end casing that has special mounts. There is also a special fan for the Corvair alternators because on a Corvair everything turns backwards from most vehicle engines. While some sell ready to go alternators, and even kits, this can be expensive. Your options are: a stock Corvair alternator, which will also require an early '60s GM voltage regulator, or any of a number of "internal regulator" alternators from mid-70s GM cars (many recommend "1975 Camaro with air conditioning". These alternators require at least partial disassembly to fit the casing half and fan. Any conversion will also require some wiring modification (schematics are on here). It is IMPORTANT that your conversion makes provision for the "GEN" light to function. This light is the "early warning" sign if you throw a belt. In the event of a belt being thrown (or broken), the temperature light should eventually come on, but by time it does, your engine will have been damaged by overheating.
Overheating: Three primary causes (there are others) A very loose belt slipping. Debris, such as varmint nests under the blower shroud (usually if the car has been sitting). You might be able to see this with a flashlight looking down through the blower fins, but removal of the blower shroud (and carbs) is best. There are around 15 bolts / screws holding the shroud on, some are under the carb bowls. The third would be malfunctioning air dampener doors on the rear bottom of your engine. These should be open when your engine is warmed up. They are controlled by a mechanical bellows inside of the lower shrouding. the bellows and door system most often fail in the open mode.
As mentioned, turbocharging is very complicated and requires internal modification. Your '64 would have used special heads with lower compression. There are other differences. Hope some of this is helpful. Dennis

[66vairguy]

Hello

Thank you so much for the response. We live in Los Angeles, California. Our 1964 corvair has a Turbo-Air 6 air cooled engine. The car is an automatic. It currently has an overheating problem as the engine needs new carburetors. We understand that it could be expensive. Is there any recommendations you have? Thank you.

Dennis made some good comments. Great information. First --- there are three clubs in Los Angeles area. Corsa West in the Valley, South Coast Corsa in the Torrance area, and Vintage Corsa in Orange county. I can only recommend one Corvair mechanic in L.A. that I have never heard complaints about. No Corvair repair shops now. California Corvair sells parts, but quit the repair business.

Corvairs rarely overheat unless the fan belt breaks, or as Dennis said --- critters piled crap up under the shrouds. What indicates the engine is overheating??? Carburetors are fairly reliable if you keep a good inline filter (Corvairs never had one and the little filters in the carburetors are useless). Old gas tanks are notorious for being full of crud and rust.

All the engines were called Turbo-Air which is confusing and was meant to indicate the engine was air cooled, not turbo charged, which was an option. Turbocharging was NEVER available with an automatic PG on the Corvair for good reason. Just my opinion, but the 110HP engine and the PG (Powerglide automatic) is a great combination for daily driving. If you want to go fast them the 140HP and a 4 speed are nice. The 140HP and Powerglide are barely faster than the 110HP. Some malign the PG, but it is durable and nice when driving in traffic.

I've helped two club members with 60-64 alternator installations. The wiring changes are simpler using an internally regulated alternator. The owner does all the mechanical work, I do the electrical and supply a wiring diagram. Yes the FAN/GEN light will work, BUT you need to change to a different bulb AND NO LED BULBS!

The LM (65-69) Corvairs had a 10DN alternator with a unique front housing, fan, pulley that used an external (separate) voltage regulator. Due to the fact it is getting difficult to find a rebuilt 10DN, or wanting more output, many are converting to the internally regulated 10SI alternator. The 10SI rear and internals bolt up to the unique Corvair 10DN front mount housing and you can install the unique Corvair fan and pulley. It is a common upgrade. Finding a rebuilt 10SI at your autoparts store is easy and not expensive. So --- to summarize, you need the alternator mounting housing the holds the oil pressure switch, fuel pump, and oil filler tube. A good used Corvair 10DN alternator. A rebuilt 10SI alternator. You can do the work, or hire someone.

Having said all that --- first get the car running well to make sure there are no other issues before any modifications. Sometimes nasty surprises show up on s just purchased car that are expensive to fix. Before making changes, make sure the basic foundation is sound.

If the car gets sorted and you still want to do the alternator upgrade, then I probably have an old Corvair 10DN complete with fan and pulley I can sell you. Finding the engine alternator mounting is getting difficult and I have no spares.

[joelsplace]

I agree get the car running good, drive it and work all the bugs out first before you decide to modify anything.
If the generator is working I would keep running it. They work great unless you are adding a bunch of things that use a lot of electricity. They are expensive to replace but normally all they need is bushings and brushes which are dirt cheap.
Unless you are going to drive it daily it is a good idea to have a quality trickle charger on the car when it isn't being driven. I use the BatteryMinder 12117TC. It has a desulphate mode that will revive a lot of dead batteries. They are usually $54 but Northern Tool has them on sale right now for $19.99. I ran my '64 convertible all over the place and even up to a couple of hours at night for several months when my generator wasn't working and just plugged it into my BatteryMinder at night. No problems.
If your car is original the 110 will have the cross flag emblem on the deck lid and it will have a harmonic balancer. The 95hp has no flag and a solid crank pulley. The best way to know is with the engine code and head casting numbers. Lots of fairly original looking cars have different engines.

[66vairguy]

I agree get the car running good, drive it and work all the bugs out first before you decide to modify anything.
If the generator is working I would keep running it. They work great unless you are adding a bunch of things that use a lot of electricity. They are expensive to replace but normally all they need is bushings and brushes which are dirt cheap.
Unless you are going to drive it daily it is a good idea to have a quality trickle charger on the car when it isn't being driven. I use the BatteryMinder 12117TC. It has a desulphate mode that will revive a lot of dead batteries. They are usually $54 but Northern Tool has them on sale right now for $19.99. I ran my '64 convertible all over the place and even up to a couple of hours at night for several months when my generator wasn't working and just plugged it into my BatteryMinder at night. No problems.
If your car is original the 110 will have the cross flag emblem on the deck lid and it will have a harmonic balancer. The 95hp has no flag and a solid crank pulley. The best way to know is with the engine code and head casting numbers. Lots of fairly original looking cars have different engines.

Agreed the generator in a stock Corvair works fine. The problem is many owners or shops don't have the skills to rebuild a generator. If someone is planning trips, or uses the car a lot then the alternator conversion gives them some piece of mind. I travel with a spare 10DN/10SI alternator in the trunk for a quick swap if needed.

I will disagree about leaving a battery tender hooked up all the time. While a low probability, sometimes the battery or charger will malfunction and you have a fire. Even when my cars sit a lot I only have to hook up the trickle charger/minder once a month for a few hours to keep the batteries up. I do it while out working in the garage so I can keep an eye on things. Just me.

[joelsplace]

In the 20 or so years I have been using them I've had around 4 fail. None were dangerous they just quit charging.
All BatteryMinders but the model/design has changed 3 times. I've probably got 40 of them.
They are designed to stay on batteries indefinitely.