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395
TECHNICAL SECTION
ENGINE
WHICH CYLINDER? – There are 4 Corvair engine cylinders. 1960 – the only year where the studs go thru a round hole in the fins.
1960 Owners can order 1961-63 cylinders/pistons/rings
and use them in their 1960 engine.
61-64 HEAD SWAPPING – Although 61-63 & 63-64 heads are interchangeable, you do need to take into consideration the fact that the 1964
engine had a longer stroke, so if a 1964 head is used on a 61-63 engine the total compression will be less. If a 61-63 head is used on a 1964 engine
the compression will be higher.
1965-69 CYLINDERS will fit a 1964 BUT you then use a 1965-69 head.
CAREFUL – a 1965-69 head will "seem" to fit 1960-64 cylinders but the cylinders will fit too loose.
Warped Heads?
If you have your heads off and are planning to use aluminum valve covers, it's a good idea to have the
valve cover gasket area milled true. They do tend to warp.
Piston Notch – (or arrow) always points to the front of the car (crank gear end).
SMOG (domed) PISTONS – These pistons should not be used in non-smog engines. If you use stock pistons in a smog engine there will be a
compression loss.
Engine Rotation – A stock Corvair engine rotates (runs) counter clockwise if looking at the crankshaft.
However, the distributor rotor turns clockwise.
MDO NOT PRIME LIFTERS –
Connecting Rods – Heat the ends of the connecting rod in oil before pressing in the wrist pin.
Rod Numbers Up – Connecting rod numbers should be visible once the rods are installed.
The rod numbers correspond to the plug numbers.
RECONDITIONED RODS? Why?
Quite a few people have asked why they should consider our reconditioned rods. Although the rod bearings take most of the abuse, the rod cap and the
hole in the rod where the bearings fit will tend to get "egg" shaped. After being reconditioned the hole and cap are back to factory specs and your new
rod bearings will fit perfectly.
Flywheel to Crank Gear Bolts – If you lost the original or are changing spacers, be sure the bolts don't go in so far they damage
the gear teeth.
BLOWER BEARING INSTALLATION
To do this you must remove the top crankcase cover (be sure to order (2) C481 gaskets). The old
bearing must be pressed out (support only on area "B" both ends), and press into dimension "A".
1960-64 = 4.52" - 4.53"
1965-69 = 4.46" - 4.49"
Gasket Cement?
Most people find that just bare gaskets seem to work best with the Corvair engine. If you have
any comments or suggestions, please let us know! We've found Permatex #2 works well, pg. 6.
Gasket Materials – Beware "Cheap" gaskets!
In the past premium gasket materials had asbestos. The switch over has been very costly and difficult. "Cheap" materials abound but we wanted to keep
our gasket quality just as high as before. The material must be strong, heat resistant, and "non-wicking". In many cases the material costs have more
than doubled over the cost for the previous best. That leaves cheap materials available that are now 4-8 times cheaper than the best! We assume our
customers rather pay a few dollars more in order to do an engine and trans rebuild with the very best materials available and that's what you will always
get from us – the best gasketing available, cut by Clark's Corvair Parts, Inc.
Glass Bead – triple clean! Glass beads really make aluminum parts look like new but they like to hide everywhere! Glass beads
cling to the slightest moisture, in the smallest hole or crack. They can ruin a new motor in a matter of minutes. At least triple clean anything that's been
glass beaded and I really would never blast a block. The looks just aren’t worth the risk!
YEAR
"SLOT" AT END THAT
GOES INTO BLOCK
OUTSIDE DIAMETER AT
HEAD GASKET END
1961-63 NO 3.736
1964 YES 3.736
1965-69 YES 3.796
Lifter companies claim they put just the amount of oil they want in new
lifters. If you add more it can actually "bind" up the lifter and they can take
minutes to equalize.
395TECHNICAL SECTIONENGINEWHICH CYLINDER? - There are 4 Corvair engine cylinders. 1960 - the only year where the studs go thru a round hole in the fins.1960 Owners can order 1961-63 cylinders/pistons/rings and use them in their 1960 engine.61-64 HEAD SWAPPING - Although 61-63 & 63-64 heads are interchangeable, you do need to take into consideration the fact that the 1964 engine had a longer stroke, so if a 1964 head is used on a 61-63 engine the total compression will be less. If a 61-63 head is used on a 1964 engine the compression will be higher.1965-69 CYLINDERS will fit a 1964 BUT you then use a 1965-69 head. CAREFUL - a 1965-69 head will "seem" to fit 1960-64 cylinders but the cylinders will fit too loose.Warped Heads? If you have your heads off and are planning to use aluminum valve covers, it's a good idea to have the valve cover gasket area milled true. They do tend to warp.Piston Notch - (or arrow) always points to the front of the car (crank gear end).SMOG (domed) PISTONS - These pistons should not be used in non-smog engines. If you use stock pistons in a smog engine there will be a compression loss. Engine Rotation - A stock Corvair engine rotates (runs) counter clockwise if looking at the crankshaft. However, the distributor rotor turns clockwise.MDO NOT PRIME LIFTERS - Connecting Rods - Heat the ends of the connecting rod in oil before pressing in the wrist pin.Rod Numbers Up - Connecting rod numbers should be visible once the rods are installed. The rod numbers correspond to the plug numbers.RECONDITIONED RODS? Why?Quite a few people have asked why they should consider our reconditioned rods. Although the rod bearings take most of the abuse, the rod cap and the hole in the rod where the bearings fit will tend to get "egg" shaped. After being reconditioned the hole and cap are back to factory specs and your new rod bearings will fit perfectly.Flywheel to Crank Gear Bolts - If you lost the original or are changing spacers, be sure the bolts don't go in so far they damage the gear teeth.BLOWER BEARING INSTALLATIONTo do this you must remove the top crankcase cover (be sure to order (2) C481 gaskets). The old bearing must be pressed out (support only on area "B" both ends), and press into dimension "A". 1960-64 = 4.52" - 4.53" 1965-69 = 4.46" - 4.49"Gasket Cement?Most people find that just bare gaskets seem to work best with the Corvair engine. If you have any comments or suggestions, please let us know! We've found Permatex #2 works well, pg. 6.Gasket Materials - Beware "Cheap" gaskets!In the past premium gasket materials had asbestos. The switch over has been very costly and difficult. "Cheap" materials abound but we wanted to keep our gasket quality just as high as before. The material must be strong, heat resistant, and "non-wicking". In many cases the material costs have more than doubled over the cost for the previous best. That leaves cheap materials available that are now 4-8 times cheaper than the best! We assume our customers rather pay a few dollars more in order to do an engine and trans rebuild with the very best materials available and that's what you will always get from us - the best gasketing available, cut by Clark's Corvair Parts, Inc.Glass Bead - triple clean! Glass beads really make aluminum parts look like new but they like to hide everywhere! Glass beads cling to the slightest moisture, in the smallest hole or crack. They can ruin a new motor in a matter of minutes. At least triple clean anything that's been glass beaded and I really would never blast a block. The looks just aren't worth the risk!YEAR"SLOT" AT END THAT GOES INTO BLOCKOUTSIDE DIAMETER AT HEAD GASKET END1961-63 NO 3.7361964 YES 3.7361965-69 YES 3.796Lifter companies claim they put just the amount of oil they want in new lifters. If you add more it can actually "bind" up the lifter and they can take minutes to equalize.
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