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

[azdave]

Ed,

I might be able to help you move the car next Sunday but I'm not sure yet. I'm expecting a trailer brake module and harness to arrive this week and it is supposed to be plug-n-play for a 2002 Yukon. If so, I'll be ready to tow by Sunday maybe. On Saturday the Corvair club is coming over to my house for a BBQ and tech session so Saturday is no good.

I don't have my electric winch fully rigged yet either but I have an old come-along that works just fine for pulling a dead vehicle onto the trailer.

[64CorvairEd]

Thanks Dave!

Let me know if you need any help with that stuff. Are you talking about Sunday the 6th or Sunday the 13?

I'm going to take a look at the head and see what the number is to get it to George and Bill tomorrow.

I actually can't wait to dig in to this next part even though it's kind of a bummer that that gasket blew somehow.

People are telling me it will feel that much better when its on the road! Let's roll with that!

Thanks guys!

Ed

[azdave]

Thanks Dave!
Are you talking about Sunday the 6th or Sunday the 13?

Ed

If you can coordinate the move this Sunday (6th) I should be able to have the trailer ready by then. The brake module arrived so I just have to install and test it out.

Will you be able to make the Cactus Corvair Tech Session at my house this Saturday? We could finalize plans at that time. Since you are not far away (in Tempe correct?) I could also possibly move it on a weekday evening next week.

I will PM you my phone number.

http://www.cactuscorvairclub.com/tech-s ... okout.html

[azdave]

Hi Ed,

I have my trailer ready for service now. This Sunday (6th) is looking like the best day for me if that works with you and Bill. I am an early bird for sure but we also don't want to be out there making noise too early and irritating the neighbors at either location.

If you can coordinate times with Bill I can pretty much adjust to your schedules for Sunday (as long as I know by Saturday afternoon when the move will take place on Sunday).

If you get a chance, please PM me the pickup and delivery addresses so I have an idea of where you are located and where it is going.

Thanks,

[64CorvairEd]

Thanks Dave! I sent you a PM. See you Saturday I hope.

Have you guys seen this yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xptR8V9T1NM

Pretty cool!

I'm going to do a bunch of research on this head gasket thing this weekend. I've been watching a bunch of youtubes but haven't found one that is Corvair specific yet. It also looks like time to buy a manual. I'm super excited about these next few steps!

[64CorvairEd]

Alright! I'm jacking the car up this afternoon to get the numbers off of the head. I've been working like crazy and picked up some extra hours at work so I managed to get ahead in the money game a little bit. Next buy will be the gaskets we need.

I made it out to a Phoenix Corvair meeting and met Dave a bunch of great Corvair guys and saw a few really nice cars.

It's getting hot here in Phoenix! 108 degrees today.........wow! I hope everyone is doing great. I spoke to George this afternoon and he gave a nice mental boost to get going on these next couple of steps. Thanks George!

[64CorvairEd]

Dave helped me tow the car to Bill's yesterday!!!

[64CorvairEd]

Bill and I started taking apart the passengers side of the engine. It so nice to no longer be working in the parking lot! I'm going back over there this afternoon and I'll try to take better pictures.

[Bobby65]

looks like fun!

[64CorvairEd]

More progress today! We pulled the head off and discovered that it is toast. So I need a new head (used but functioning) with these numbers on it: 3856759

Bill said the pistons looked good. He also said the valves on the head looked good so I may be able to put them into a head with no valves....

[azdave]

Dave helped me tow the car to Bill's yesterday!!!

You're welcome Ed. Hope the repair goes smoothly. I might have a head. I'll be in touch after I dig around in the shed.

Here's a quick unloading video and a still shot of the transfer.
http://youtu.be/PWJUwuLjPpw

Ed'd 64 loaded for the trip to Bill's place.

[64CorvairEd]

Haha! That video is great. Thanks again Dave! We're trying to get a head replacement by this weekend so we can finish before Bill gets super busy. That would be awesome if you happened to have one.

[azdave]

Haha! That video is great. Thanks again Dave! We're trying to get a head replacement by this weekend so we can finish before Bill gets super busy. That would be awesome if you happened to have one.

Sorry...the only single carb head I have is 3878569 which looks quite different in chamber design and I think is a 95 HP head from a 68-69.

I'll bet John Seaman will have one out at the Corvair Corral.
http://www.corvaircorral.com/

[azdave]

I just emailed the bad head details John at the Corvair Corral to ask about a replacement. I'll call you as soon as I hear from him.

[66vairguy]

That is a shame, nice car. Some suggestions for NEXT TIME. First I always transport a new purchase by trailer until I can get it home and then drive it locally to sort it out. Second - I take a rather large fire extinguisher with me. Third - A good classic car insurance policy is inexpensive and would have covered repairs or replacement.

Find a good local club. A lot of helpful Vair folks out there.

[Bobby65]

any progress?