64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

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Mountain Pilot
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Mountain Pilot »

This is what worked for me ( many years ago )

Stripped out a spark plug - used an aluminum epoxy put a new plug in and drove it for a few more years that way with no problem.

If the gasket on the plug overlaps the melted place then:

Maybe a temp fix would be use an aluminum epoxy, re-tap and put plug in and drive it and watch carefully

Also after using epoxy put in a Heli-coil... :think:

Just a cheapie suggestion.... :dontknow:
Richard Cutter
Monte Vista, Colorado

1960 700 Sedan / 1964 Spyder, Conv. / 1964 Monza Sedan
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cvair4life
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by cvair4life »

azdave wrote:With limited funds and work space I would say install the spark plug carefully and then drive it. You drove it most of the way from Cali like that didn't you? Pulling the head later is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
Agree'd with the thought on driving it to see how it goes. Also Ed there is another option similar to HeliCoil that I like a lot better called Time Sert. The only question I'd have about it is the difference in expansion rates of the dissimilar metals. :dontknow:
azdave wrote:BTW, what are your skills? You mentioned a possible new job. What do you do for a living and what are you looking to do in the future? You never know who might read this and have a connection.
<<< That's some dead ringer advise there. I'd add that your skills (whatever they might be) can be easily cross-conditioned so try not to pigeon hole yourself. For example: A retired military radar electronics technician understands the core concepts of repairing medical equipment. Even though medical equipment may have absolutely nothing to do with Radar.... :tu:
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64CorvairEd
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by 64CorvairEd »

Thank you for opening up the opportunity to do that!

I just got my masters degree in Industrial Design and Innovation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My skills are prototyping, ideation, sketching, 3D modeling using Rhino 3D software, product development, and user research.

I moved out to Phoenix chasing my dream job designing instruments and equipment for Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. I'm still doing everything I can to get in there but I've also applied to every opening I've come across in the field. I get rejection emails every day but am trying to keep my head up and move forward.

I've been unloading trucks at Lowes to make a living but my checks don't come close to allowing me to put a dent in my huge students loans. I'm also doing charity work for an organization called Ear Candy and the Sojourner Center for Women and Children.

If anyone has any ideas or advice for me I'd really appreciate it. Here is my email and phone:

edwardmeunier@gmail.com (517) 303-9777

Thanks!
64CorvairEd
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by 64CorvairEd »

We got the car to start yesterday! Here are a couple of youtube links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u--vyS5 ... Gl_qxZS2Y=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER4YA0it ... BcRfhqLUE=

Sorry the second one is so shaky. It starts but won't idle. We kept trying to turn the idle speed up but it didn't help. Any ideas on what is going on?
Honda750Guy
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Honda750Guy »

my hondas carbs make that same sucking noise when they aren't getting enough fuel... maybe check that fuel pumps flow rate?
64CorvairEd
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by 64CorvairEd »

Oh I picked this up too.....
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as fun as its been, I hope that never happens again!
as fun as its been, I hope that never happens again!
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Bobby65
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Bobby65 »

have you tried the idle mixture screw, its on the bottom of the carbs at an angle on the side of the carbs facing the fan, and maybe adjust your chokes, the engine is cold so it wont idle properly without the chokes untill it has warmed up, you can hear the hissing/popping/ticking that i think is because of that park plug hole, if nothing else epoxy it and cross your fingers it holds
Drive it like you stole it
65 Turbo Monza Coupe
64 monza convertible 4 spd
Grand Ledge, Michigan
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Crazy George
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Crazy George »

:dontknow: Hello Ed, great pic you emailed. In our phone calls , I did talk with Marty and that was price out of range but that is what they go for. Emailed back and forth with Bill last night and the weather clearing up and got our internet back. Bill mentioned the cross over tube. Check that to see if your not getting any vacuum leaks. Check your emails. He mentioned that he thought that you may have little to no vacuum. He will bring over this weekend what he needs to check and try to make some time for ya. Your close to driving and its got to be something simple. He was going to bring a timing light , let him know that I sent you one. I just thought of that, when you wake up son, give me a call and I have maybe another thought for ya..... CG :banghead:
64CorvairEd
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by 64CorvairEd »

Here are some closer pictures of the base of the carburetors. The first 2 are of the front view (standing at rear of car looking in at the engine facing the front of the car) and then 4 of the back view (camera is back to the firewall in the compartment facing the rear of the engine).

Sorry they are a bit blurry. It is a tough spot to get to. Does anything look wrong?
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Carb #1 front
Carb #1 front
Carb #2 front
Carb #2 front
Carb #1 back
Carb #1 back
Carb #2 back
Carb #2 back
Carb #1 back
Carb #1 back
Carb #2 back
Carb #2 back
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Crazy George
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Crazy George »

:nono: Gee Ed, we had to cut our talk short , sorry , the more I look at that rubber tubing , :goodpost: it looks to large if you need to clamp it. Do like we said and get the correct rubber tubing that is tight and not loose fitting. That should get you a leak free fit. I believe Bill has to be right. Take the cross over with you to the parts store and get a cap for the top one as we talked about. The base gaskets I myself dont like that but if they are not leaking , leave it or change it later. lets get it started. Did you get set on the Alternator with Skip in Tenn. ? :dontknow: or on the weekend we talk when there are minutes ..... :fingerscrossed: While waiting , see if you can remove the burnt alternator front housing and fan. If you cant , just wait for Bill and use the correct tools to get the fan nut off and break apart. Give the fan and facing cover a good cleaning . :assault: Before you use the facing, be sure to put a stab of grease around the bearing and that it is not damaged. Should be OK......... If any one else has thoughts , feel free to jump in or correct me if need be :wave: Email me later or after work and I will get up around 3am to check .......... George :zzzz:
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by 64CorvairEd »

We discovered a blown head gasket today. Let the good times roll.
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Crazy George
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Crazy George »

:sad5: Sorry no rolligng today :sad5: I was tring tho cheer you up. Bill broke the news to me earlier by giving me a call. We talked a bit about it and I gave Marty a call as well. Between all the support for ya out there , its most likely a blessing. jthe plug hole can be explored or what ever needs to be repaired instead of getting it to run and down break down. Between Marty and Bill , if another head is needed they have a few that once its off the car and you need another head , its there. Maybe contact some one from the Cantus corvair club and see if they will have some one that might trailer the car over to Bill shop. That would be a all out best. Bill said he will remove the head or drop the engine. Your really now going to get some corvair knowledge on the real workings of the engine. So life is good and chin up. Do some more neighborhood watch , have a beer , sit back , be careful , dont put your feet up on the dash. I will give you a call later today before work , Tag CG :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: now I can laugh :rolling:
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Crazy George
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Crazy George »

:nono: Oh yeah Ed, dont think of taking the head off or engine down in your carport, I dont know where you would live than.. You may than have to come to Maine .................. I shot a PM to Dave to see if he knows anyone that might trailer the car for ya. Bill is only four to five miles away. If not, ask Jessie and your socker buddy's and start pushing . :tongue: Smile some ED , remember , Life is good . we will get you to Bills and running.............. :think: its a good thing I dont sleep much .....its now 3:48am time to take the dogs out , Talk to ya CRazy GeoRge I might just be.. :tu:
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by azdave »

ctryewe wrote: I shot a PM to Dave to see if he knows anyone that might trailer the car for ya.
George,
Don't know which Dave you PM'd but I didn't get any messages.

Ed,
I just bought a car hauler but I don't quite have the tow vehicle ready yet (installing electric brakes and winch next week I hope).

I don't understand how the engine could have a blown head gasket. Wasn't the car running quite well before the fire?
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No. I don't haul on the road with the Aerostar van.
No. I don't haul on the road with the Aerostar van.
Dave W. from Gilbert, AZ

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PhilLowery
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by PhilLowery »

64CorvairEd wrote:We discovered a blown head gasket today. Let the good times roll.

You should always try Re-torquing the head before you remove it. 32 ft lb
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Crazy George
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Re: 64 Corvair caught on fire bigtime! What do I do now?

Post by Crazy George »

:wave: Just got back in Dave, I know this computor had some time around 3:30 am my time senting a pm to AzDave and I dont know where it went or to who either. I explained that Bill found out that No. One has a head gasket leak . Bill found the head bolts almost finger tight. I did try to cheer up that adopted son of mine and before the fire , he thought it to be running just great. In any case , the head has got to come off , see what is making it sick and Ed surely cannot do that at his apartment conplex. Bill is only four or five miles away and if you could or some one from the your local corvair club help him out and get it transported over to Bills. Between Marty and Bill , they have a head that should work if need be. Bill will drop the engine or take the head off if we can get it over there. Ed is going to get more than carb work understanding, he is now going to see the inner workings ..... This young man has great spirit and I truly hope we dont loose him said and done. He has a beautiful early and it so hard being here in Maine keeping his hopes high and shortfalls to a minumum....I dont know where that sos pm went. some of these pm's I have sent out ,I find out they didn't go , could be the satellite, I was just tracking down your number and left you a message and my number . Thanks , hope you can step in with some help . And yes, i caught the small print, at first I thought you were towing with a mini van, that would be real brave..... CG :pray:
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