<VV> Out of Group Red

[Norman C. Witte]

Rick, I know what you mean about skipping steps that you know you should do
but don't though more often than not I skip them because I just don't know
about them. 

Why did you pull the Flaming River box?  If you have already discussed this,
I apologize, but I have been skimming VV lately due to work interfering with
more important hobbies.

Norm  



-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Rick & Janet Norris
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 9:10 AM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Out of Group Red

Well,
I finally finished the flywheel replacement on my 69 Vert. It was one of
those things I should have done way back when I had the engine out the first
time but, I had already spent a lot of time and money fixing all the
"little" things it needed like the dropped valve seat, leaks, etc. That was
last year or so. I did do the ring test on the flywheel but decided it was
okay but in the back of my mind I was saying you'll regret this decision.
After driving it for awhile it was apparent the flywheel was loose. If you
revved it over 4000 RPM it would shake very noticeably, not to mention the
noise at idle. It kind of made it a rev limiter. 
I had decided this spring would be the time to replace it. I was about three
months behind schedule on my Corvair projects but some timely jobs arrived
at the work place and overtime pay is always a good excuse for more car
parts.
So, what started out as a flywheel replacement ( Ya'll know how this goes)
turned in to a complete brake overhaul, a one wire alternator install, a new
blower bearing and housing oil baffle modification, a high volume heater
blower motor, rebuilt stock steering box, (removed the Flaming River quick
box and sent it back) four new tires, new double lip shifter shaft seal (new
one I put in last year started leaking for no reason), new Viton crankshaft
seals and other small items. 
She now runs very smoothly and will rev past the red line with out feeling
like a Mixmaster! 
On the other hand, I was blasting down I-64 on the high speed shakedown and
all was fine until I hit the exit ramp and tried to de-clutch. The pedal
went to the floor but nothing disengaged. Now, I've felt this before having
experienced more than one clutch cable let go so I knew something was not
connected like the cable or one of the many clevises. Although it had been
many years since I had to nurse a Corvair home with no clutch I had not lost
my "chops" as it were. Using neutral, starting it in gear and shifting
without the use of the clutch was easy and I drove it back to the house
(about two miles, four traffic lights all of which were red and three hills.
It is West Virginia ya know!) with no trouble and I don't think anyone
around me knew anything was wrong. Once in the shop I raised it up for a
look see and there was the clutch pull rod hanging loose. The spring pin was
gone or I had forgot to install it. While lying under the car trying to
remember if I had another pin or just put a cotter pin in it I happened to
look towards the wall and there under another jack stand was the errant pin.
I reinstalled it and did a test of the clutch pedal. When I pushed it down I
heard a distinct ping and watched the clip roll out from under the car and
land under the same jack stand! At least that assured me I had installed the
clip before but didn't notice it's departure the first time I hit the clutch
pedal.
The cure seemed to be to install the clip in the opposite direction.
I drove it around most of yesterday and we went to two cruise in's last
night so all is well for this Memorial Day week end.

To all the Veterans out there, thanks and welcome home.

Rick Norris
Vietnam Service, USAF 1966-1967
First President CORSA 1971
Email rickjanet at charter.net  
Web Site http://webpages.charter.net/corvairalley 
V8 Vairs Web Site http://www.v8vairs.com 
  
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