1961Corvair: Getting My Front End Back

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Getting My Front End Back

Ariel and Tom started reassembling my front suspension last night. They got just past the point of installing the springs. Ariel says I look like a functioning car again. One more good evening and I'll be back on the road.

Definitions

EM = Early Model. 1960-1964 Corvair.

LM = Late Model. 1965-1969 Corvair.

Water Pumpers = Most other cars on the road. So named because they are water-cooled with a radiator as opposed to the air-cooled Corvair.

Engine Lid = Engine compartment cover. Since the Corvair's engine is in the rear, it would be confusing to call it a "hood" (as in, "Want me to take a look under the hood").

Things To Do (Items in italics recently added)

~~Rebuild front suspension~~

Fix heater fan wiring to prevent fuse blowing

Turn rear heater doors over

Cut holes in carpet for rear heater doors

Finish glueing down rear carpet

Check metal on battery tray; reinforce if necessary

~~Clean control arms and rustproof~~

Replace wiper motor with 2-sp w/ pump

~~Repair front wheel bearing assembly~~

Replace leaky gas tank

Replace harmonic balancer

Replace driver's seat with good, used one

Replace right-side head with rebuilt one including gaskets and o-rings

Replace exhaust gasket manifolds

Remove dual exhaust and replace with stock muffler and exhaust pipe

Install new water-proof paper on driver's door

Replace rotted tires with decent ones

Replace fuel pump

Repair passenger window mechanism

Clean up rear window RTV

Replace oil cooler seals

Replace heater control cables

Repair rear seat bottom using rear seat from junkyard

Permanently fix the turn signal mechanism

Buy and install battery hold-down

Replace balljoints (Left & Right upper)

Install rear seat

Replace burned rubber flapper on d-side carb

Check self-adjusting hardware on rear brakes

Replace Pittman arm bushing

Install throttle linkage parts

Replace front and right-rear brake lines

Replace PCV seal at engine cover

Replace wheel cylinders with rebuilt

Replace brake hoses

Adjust throttle connection to ensure transmission kick-down

Raise d-side door

Replace PCV hose

Adjust idle speed

Grease fan bearing

Replace choke controls

Install rear seatbelts

Replace fanbelt

Remove the engine

Brush, clean, prime, and paint burned metal on engine and body

Brush, clean, prime, and paint burned metal gas, vacuum, and brake lines

Flush the brake lines and replace the brake hose

Upgrade rear brakes to self-adjusting

Replace the heater hose

Seal the wire splices

Replace transmission mounts

Replace harmonic balancer

Repair the wire harness

Replace the engine seals

Replace the spark plug cable

Replace the melted choke tripper on the driver's side carburetor

Replace the rubber hose at the base of the carburetor

Install the engine

Adjust choke linkages

Adjust heater seal on driver's side

Install new driver's door hinge pins and bushings

Patch last large hole in floor with sheetmetal

Install new door weatherstripping

Remove rear window and reinstall with new gasket

Check on fuel filters

Install rubber plugs in floor and trunk

Prime and paint patches

Hook up speakers

Install new heater and defroster hoses

Install new seals on the heater doors

Rebuild or replace oozing brake master cylinder

Install carpeting

Buy rear heater doors at junkyard, refinish, install

Sandblast heater & fresh air grates, refinish, install

Clean and reinstall glovebox

Replace broken thermostat for rear engine shroud

Tighten passenger sideview mirror

Tighten sunvisor screws with Loctite

Install windshield chrome trim

Patch small holes with POR-15 and fiberglass

Re-install trunk seal

Replace dome and dash light bulbs

Replace headlight dimmer switch

Check radio

Seal gas tank

Adjust brakes

~~Replace broken brake switch~~

1961Corvair

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Getting My Front End Back

About Me

Definitions

Things To Do (Items in italics recently added)

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