<VV> Basic clutch questions

[N. Joseph Potts]

The "clutch throwout bearing" problem is not that. It is a failure of the
rivets in the flywheel. Replace the flywheel - optimally with a bolted one
from one of the vendors.
     I've never had a brake failure in hundreds of thousands of miles of
driving anything that would have been ameliorated by a double master
cylinder. I use the original-style master cylinder in my 66 Corsa. I use DOT
5 silicone brake fluid.
     Don't know what the chirping is. Try taking your fan belt off, running
the engine briefly (short drive) and see if the chirp goes away.
     The fan-belt pulley at the back of your engine has an outer metal ring,
a rubber ring inside that, and a metal hub inside that. The two metal parts
have a chisel score running radially on both. These should be lined up. If
they aren't, your rubber ring has deteriorated and slipped, offsetting your
timing mark. Replace pulley (harmonic balancer).
     Buy books. The Shop Manual from the vendors, Corvair Basics from CORSA,
and much more. Join CORSA and your local club.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupr 140hp 4-speed with A/C


-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of slmizel@juno.com
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 10:39 AM
To: virtualvairs@corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Basic clutch questions


My recently aquired 65 corsa had a few known problems when I purchased it
(and a few unknown...purchased over the Internet) and I would like to gather
some wisdom from the collective VV experience.  77,000 miles showing on
odometer but not sure if that is accurate.  All stock and my guess is all
original equipment (no rebuilds).  I am a rookie mechanic looking forward to
getting my hands greasy.

1.  Throw-out bearing.  I was told that my throw out bearing was bad and
would need to be replaced.  Symptoms: when the clutch is depressed no weird
noises, but when I let the clutch out it rattles at idle and at low rpm's.
Clutch engages about halfway through the pedal stroke and works fine (no
chatter, etc.).  At high running speed (well, I guess any running speed) I
often get a loud "chirping" noise coming from the rear (I thought it was an
obnoxious bird the first time I heard it).  Questions: Do you agree with the
diagnosis of the throw out bearing?  Do you recommend putting in a new
clutch/pressure plate at the same time?  Do you think the chirping is also
related to the bearing or should I suspect wheel bearings or some other such
thing.

2.  Mastercylinder bad...when at a stop light braking is good but the pedal
slowly sinks to the floor...when reapplied good pressure.  I can either
rebuild or purchase a dual master from one of the Vendors.  Is the dual
worth the upgrade?  Will it make for increased/more reliable stopping power?

3.  Timing...I gave the car a tune up with Clark parts...set timing, car
died.  Reset timing by ear...my timing light says I am running around 50
degrees advanced!  It runs well...is that possible?  (Remember I am a rookie
and may be making a dumb mistake...though I do have the timing light hooked
up to the #1 spark plug wire).

Thank you!
Steve Mizel
65 Corsa Vert 4sp
St. Louis, MO