Clark's Corvair Parts, Inc. - Corvair Parts Catalog - Over 12,000 parts

409

TECHNICAL SECTION

MOST ASKED GENERAL TECH QUESTIONS

Gas Tank Capacities 1960 – 11 gallons

61-69 – 14 gallons

FC – approximately 18 gallons

Gas Mileage – low 20’s

Gas Octane – 102, 110, 140 & turbo – 92-93 octane gas must be used, unleaded is OK, no need for lead additives.

Installing a new gas tank gauge – Ground it and attach sending wire. Move ﬂoat through the range and note how dash gauge is reading.

Engine Oil Capacity – 4 1/2 - 5 quarts

Engine Oil Type – High detergent (HD) 10-30, 10-40, or even 20-50 in a hot climate are all OK.

Differential Oil – 80-90 gear oil and is shared with standard transmission oil for a total of about 7 pints. Read note on page 121.

Powerglide Transmission – Uses Dextron II transmission ﬂuid. 6 pints for a reﬁll; 13 pints if the torque convertor was drained too.

Silicone brake ﬂuid – Good upgrade for all cars & FC’s.

Factory Metallic Brakes – Very rare, very unlikely that they have them. The only way to tell for sure is to measure the wheel cylinder bore and

master cylinder bore.

Early Convertible Top Pump – Uses automatic transmission ﬂuid for our new pumps; the original pumps used brake ﬂuid.

Corvair Engines are referred to as “Turbo Air”. This does not mean that they have a turbo. Turbo Engines have a turbo charger on them

and are 150 or 180 hp.

140 Engine? – 1960 engines were 140 cubic inches, not to be confused with 1965-69 140 hp engines with 4 carburetors.

Tire Size – Standard tire size for all cars is 185 R 80 13". See page 120. Engine "kit" questionare – see the home page to ﬁll one out for an accurate

engine rebuilding estimate. Many possibilities, but most rebuilds average between $1,000-2,500 depending on parts used.

Break in Oil – Non-detergent used to be suggested for break in oil. Now a quality detergent oil is recommended such as 10w30 or 10w40.

Factories are now putting synthetic in new engines but we suggest changing your Corvair break in oil at 300-500 miles so I would wait to use the

synthetic mainly due to the added cost.

Installing Outside Mirrors – We suggest you have a low tack masking tape and cover the area where the mirror may be installed. Now sit in the

car and have a helper hold the mirror on the masking tape. When it is in a good location, accurately trace around the mirror (make sure it will not be hit

when you open the vent window and move the head of the mirror around). Use the same method for the right side.

CORVAIRS IN EUROPE

There are more Corvairs in Europe than you might expect with some very strong clubs. This 1965 was purchased

from Portland, Oregon, and shipped to Bremerhaven, Germany. It is owned by Ferdinand H. and these were some

of his best friends (Marco & Seraina) and the celebration of their marriage at an old castle in Switzerland.

409TECHNICAL SECTIONMOST ASKED GENERAL TECH QUESTIONSGas Tank Capacities 1960 - 11 gallons 61-69 - 14 gallons FC - approximately 18 gallons Gas Mileage - low 20'sGas Octane - 102, 110, 140 & turbo - 92-93 octane gas must be used, unleaded is OK, no need for lead additives.Installing a new gas tank gauge - Ground it and attach sending wire. Move float through the range and note how dash gauge is reading.Engine Oil Capacity - 4 1/2 - 5 quartsEngine Oil Type - High detergent (HD) 10-30, 10-40, or even 20-50 in a hot climate are all OK.Differential Oil - 80-90 gear oil and is shared with standard transmission oil for a total of about 7 pints. Read note on page 121.Powerglide Transmission - Uses Dextron II transmission fluid. 6 pints for a refill; 13 pints if the torque convertor was drained too.Silicone brake fluid - Good upgrade for all cars & FC's.Factory Metallic Brakes - Very rare, very unlikely that they have them. The only way to tell for sure is to measure the wheel cylinder bore and master cylinder bore.Early Convertible Top Pump - Uses automatic transmission fluid for our new pumps; the original pumps used brake fluid.Corvair Engines are referred to as "Turbo Air". This does not mean that they have a turbo. Turbo Engines have a turbo charger on them and are 150 or 180 hp.140 Engine? - 1960 engines were 140 cubic inches, not to be confused with 1965-69 140 hp engines with 4 carburetors.Tire Size - Standard tire size for all cars is 185 R 80 13". See page 120. Engine "kit" questionare - see the home page to fill one out for an accurate engine rebuilding estimate. Many possibilities, but most rebuilds average between $1,000-2,500 depending on parts used.Break in Oil - Non-detergent used to be suggested for break in oil. Now a quality detergent oil is recommended such as 10w30 or 10w40.Factories are now putting synthetic in new engines but we suggest changing your Corvair break in oil at 300-500 miles so I would wait to use the synthetic mainly due to the added cost.Installing Outside Mirrors - We suggest you have a low tack masking tape and cover the area where the mirror may be installed. Now sit in the car and have a helper hold the mirror on the masking tape. When it is in a good location, accurately trace around the mirror (make sure it will not be hit when you open the vent window and move the head of the mirror around). Use the same method for the right side.CORVAIRS IN EUROPEThere are more Corvairs in Europe than you might expect with some very strong clubs. This 1965 was purchased from Portland, Oregon, and shipped to Bremerhaven, Germany. It is owned by Ferdinand H. and these were some of his best friends (Marco & Seraina) and the celebration of their marriage at an old castle in Switzerland.