Greetings and Salutations from Fredericksburg, VA

[JamiesVair]

Greetings,

Last summer I was looking for a project car. My wife and I would look as we traveled the back roads of Virginia (she doesn't like interstates) and see what was out there. We looked at a few but one day stopped when we saw a 64 Spyder coup. To be honest, I hadn't heard of the Corviar and so we went home, looked on line to see if I could find parts and places to get information and the car was in the driveway the next day and been enjoying it ever since. I grew up on a farm and not scared of turning a wrench but it has been a long time since I did any type of mechanical work but excited to do it. I also joined the Central Virginia Corvair Club and this has been a bonus. A great bunch of people who are very knowledgeable and whom I've come to rely on for advise. An added benefit is that my son got laid off from Intuit and then found a job.........painting cars so we have been able to really work on this project together.

download/file.php?mode=view&id=30749

To really get to know the car I decided to do a full restoration. I have full gutted the car and found a small company to do the metal work and while I had him looking at the car to give me an estimate he said he had a guy will media blast the car for a good price. it is now at the media blasters to get completely down to metal. I know I had two bad areas, The front end looked like it was in an accident and on the passenger side, on the bottom of the door and just in front of the door was rotted out. I bought the front end and right fender from Clark's to go with the car. The Metal guy sent me a couple of pics of the car sandblasted and told me the car was in pretty good shape but has some additional rot in front of the floor board where the cowl connects. He also took the suspension parts that will also be media blasted. They will all be returned with a rust inhibitor/primer on the car.

While the car is out I am starting to look at the engine. The car came with a 66/67 engine in it but when I bought the car, the person had a 64 Turbo engine also, so I also have that. I put a wrench on the engine and they both will rotate. The transaxle and transmission have to be move from the 66 to the turbo. The Turbo, I don't think all of the parts are there so I ordered a bunch from Clark's today. Also bought a new battery so I can see if the starter will work and maybe even start the engine before putting back in the car, see if it works.

I was also playing with the Spyder's instrument panel. The panel was a little dingy and the trip odometer numbers were flaking off. I found the decals for 1955 and later GM/corvette that would fit the Vairs (wrong color but right size). While pulling the needle off the speedometer using the fork method I launched the needle to the ceiling and broke it. Also, trying to get the retention ring off the trip meter I broke the end wheel. So, now I have an additional instrument panel that I bought from E-bay as I couldn't find just find the needle.

I really have been enjoying this. It is taking a little extra time as I had no tools for this so building out the garage at the same time is slowing my progress.

Cheers.....Jamie

[coleslaw31]

looks like a very solid car! 64 is said to have the best suspension for the early model cars and a spyder at that! The turbocharger mounted on top of the engine like a trophy gets a lot of attention at the car shows.

[bbodie52]

Welcome to the Corvair Forum!

Wow! That was an impressive introduction. Complete, detailed, and with great photographs! No questions? Already connected with CORSA... I cannot think of much to ask except that I hope you will keep the pictures and comments coming our way so that we can follow your progress and learn from your experiences.

I look forward to seeing your Corvair as a Corvair of the Month entree. It certainly sounds as if this project car will turn out to be something very special!

The attached CORSA magazine article covers speedometer repair, and may have some information for you that might prove to be useful. It was written using a Late Model Corsa speedometer, but you may find some of the material to be applicable to your Spyder.

Some of the free technical references available in these links may also prove to be useful...

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

Corvair Forum viewtopic.php?f=225&t=6007

[cad-kid]

Welcome!

[flat6_musik]

Welcome to the forum!.......it looks like you've got the corv-virus now!

[JamiesVair]

Since the body of the car is out to be media blasted, my son and I worked on the engine some today. I bought a refurbished 1964 150 hp turbo to swap out a non turbo that came with the car. When I purchased the car the guy had the turbo to put in but never got around to it so I bought the engine too. We pulled the turbo, that looks in good shape. Pulled the cover so we could take a look at the heads and a couple of mud dobbers nest and cleaned them up. We also wired up the old starter to a battery to see if it would turn, spun like a top. Was fun pulling it apart today.

The car had sat for over a year when I bought it and the squirrels and mud dobbers mad this car their home. Still finding nuts and nests as I get deeper in the car.

[cad-kid]

Great job pulling the covers. It's better to be proactive than reactive

[ram0672]

Hi Jamie. I just had a starter on my 66 corsa crack a nose. Built another starter with parts I had. Took it to Auto Zone and they have a piece of equipment that will run four different tests on your starter for free. It loads the starter and runs it for about 20 seconds to build up some heat. It's a free test since you already have yours out. I would also pull the back cover and look at the brushes for wear. They are $5 and now is the time to replace them since it is out. It's not a fun job to chance out when the motor is back in the car, particularly with an early.

Keep up the posts they inspire all of us.

Bob

[JamiesVair]

Thanks Bob, I took they starter to AutoZone today and it tested good. Decided to buy the basic starter rebuild kit that include the brushes from Clarks. Appreciate the advise.

Cheers.....Jamie