<VV> advice for what to tune up....
Frank DuVal
corvairduval at cox.net
Mon Apr 20 23:39:46 EDT 2009
Brett,
You didn't mention what year Corvair you have. If it is a late model
(1965-1969), you may be not reading the words associated with the key
positions on the radio faceplate. The clue to me is "with the key in
lock". Why would it matter if the key was even in the lock?
Off on a late is the key straight up and down. Turning the key all the
way counterclockwise puts the electrical system in the Accessory
position. And yes, there is significant draw on the battery with the key
in the accessory position. I have had many a new Covair driver (not
necessarily the owner, but a borrower) leave a late model in the
accessory positon and then call me to diagnose the dead battery!
If truly inserting the key alone makes the system draw 4 amps, please
give us more details.
Frank DuVal
Brett Griffin wrote:
> OK,
>
> So I did some basic maintenance this weekend.
>
>
> - Found I have a 4 amp draw on the large positive cable with the key in
> lock. Bad Starter or Coil? Installed a Quick Disconnect so I don't drain
> the battery again. Starts fine on a good charged battery.
> - Discovered the generator has no output, or not enough to overcome the 4
> amp draw.
> - Found a sticky throttle plate linkage, cleaned and lubricated that.
>
> Hoping to meet someone in the Seattle area that would be willing to help me
> get her running smooth.
>
> Thanks for the advice, I did order a carb rebuild kit. That will be next
> weekend.
>
> *Brett Griffin
> **Technology Designer
> *brett at architechtronics.com <http://jennifer@architechtronics.com>
>
>
> *main* (425) 889.9800 hiddentech.com
> *visit our blog! * hiddentech.com/blog
>
> Home control. Theater. Audio. Lighting. Energy Savings.
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
> Contact Me: [image: Linkedin] <http://www.linkedin.com/in/brettgriffin>[image:
> Twitter] <http://twitter.com/hiddentech>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 12:42 PM, shortle <shortle556 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>> That is a great question:(what to tune up). If you are using points for
>> your ignition make sure your point gap/dwell is correct and then your
>> initial ignition timing is set to specs (w/ the vacuum hose disconnected and
>> plugged going to the distributor). Then make sure your spark plugs are the
>> proper type with proper gap and that they are clean (not fouled). If you are
>> certain the ignition system is in proper order, then it is time to address
>> the fuel system. A great book is Bob Helts HOW TO IDENTIFY/REBUILD CORVAIR
>> CARBS". It is available thru vendors and even the author himself. It makes
>> for easy reading with plenty of explanations and pictures. Strongly
>> recommended. Of course, look for vacuum leaks. The hoses connecting the
>> vacuum balance tube are known for leaks. Make sure carbs are tight. etc.
>> etc. Good luck.
>> I hope this is helpful.
>> Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>>> From: Sethracer at aol.com
>>> Sent: Apr 18, 2009 10:05 PM
>>> To: fly2xs at gmail.com, virtualvairs at corvair.org
>>> Subject: <VV> advice for what to tune up....
>>>
>>>
>>> In a message dated 4/18/2009 7:16:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
>>> fly2xs at gmail.com writes:
>>>
>>> Hello all, this is my first post to this list.
>>> I inherited my mothers 1962 Monza 900 Convertible in November. Yesterday
>>> was the first time it has been driven in a long time. A number of years
>>> ago
>>> the entire drive train (engine to wheel bearings) was rebuilt and there
>>>
>> is
>>
>>> only 340 miles on the odometer now.
>>>
>>> It took a bit of time but it is now running and sounds good. I have a
>>> Couple of issues I am hoping to get some insight on.
>>>
>>> 1. On deceleration and Idle, the engine will backfire softly. No
>>>
>> backfiring
>>
>>> on acceleration or maintaining speed.
>>> 2. When the engine is cold it will not idle by itself.
>>> 3. Acceleration is rough except on wide open throttle.
>>> 4. Gen/Fan light glows during idle and is very very faint while driving
>>>
>> on
>>
>>> the highway.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Brett - Almost all of the above symptoms are indicators of Carb issues.
>>> Sitting for a long time is tough on the inside of Carbs and the rest of
>>>
>> the
>>
>>> fuel system as well. I suppose you have cleaned out the tank and the
>>>
>> lines,
>>
>>> so the carbs are being supplied with enough clean gas. The Corvair carb
>>>
>> is
>>
>>> one of the easiest carbs to rebuild. If you pick up a couple of rebuild
>>>
>> kits
>>
>>> and thoroughly clean out and systematically rebuild the carbs, that is a
>>> good first step. Two things that can trip up a first-timer with the
>>>
>> Corvair
>>
>>> Carbs is setting the idle speeds and the choke alignment. While removing
>>> the carbs, check to see if the choke springs provide a good spring-loaded
>>> vertical thrust to the rods. It is easy to misalign these and have them
>>>
>> catch
>>
>>> inside the passage in the head. When cold, those choke springs should
>>> provide plenty of upward thrust to push the chokes closed and raise the
>>>
>> idle.
>>
>>> (The chokes are only pushed closed when the throttle has been pushed
>>>
>> open.)
>>
>>> When the motor warms up just a bit, those springs relax and the rods are
>>> pulled down, unloading the chokes and dropping the fast-idle cams away
>>>
>> from
>>
>>> the throttle arms. Setting the idle speed, and balancing the idle between
>>>
>> the
>>
>>> two carbs is a procedure that you would be best consulting the shop
>>> manual. It usually involves a special tool such as a vacuum gage or
>>>
>> Unisyn to
>>
>>> measure flow. You will need to disconnect the link from the throttle
>>> cross-shaft to the drivers side carb during the idle speed balance
>>>
>> setting.
>>
>>> Otherwise, your adjustments on one carb are fed across via the shaft
>>>
>> linkage and
>>
>>> tweak the other side settings. The trick is to get both carbs passing the
>>> same amount of air at idle, the idle down to a reasonable RPM - this
>>>
>> depends a
>>
>>> bit on the transmission type - and the engine to idle with no vacuum
>>> feeding to the vacuum advance unit. It is a balancing act.
>>>
>>> You can check the real charging voltage by measuring the voltage at the
>>> battery during Higher RPM running, or in a pinch, on the road. There is no
>>> charge at idle with a generator, but the voltage should go up as the
>>>
>> engine
>>
>>> RPM increases. If it doesn't, start looking at the regulator or Generator
>>>
>> as
>>
>>> the culprit, but always clean the battery cables well as the first step.
>>>
>>>
>>> Any insight would be greatly helpful. I am in the Seattle Area and hope
>>> to
>>> see those in the area at future meet ups!
>>> There is a great group in your Backyard (Don't run and check - I mean
>>> figuratively). Corsa Northwest has a history of Corvair help. And there
>>>
>> is a
>>
>>> great Corvair event coming up - a bit East, but worth the drive. It is the
>>> NorthEast Econorun.
>>> >From their information page:
>>> "The dates are Friday June 12th through Sunday June 14th. More information
>>> about the show and the Econorun is available here:
>>> http://www.corvair.org/pdf/2009EconorunRegistration.pdf
>>> If you can make it, it should be quite a weekend.
>>>
>>> Enjoy driving that car, Brett. If it has really old tires, do a thorough
>>> check on them before driving much.
>>>
>>>
>>> Seth Emerson
>>>
>>> C's the Day! - Corvair, Camaro, Corvette
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2
>>>
>> easy
>>
>>> steps!
>>> (
>>>
>> http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220814852x1201410738/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26
>>
>>> hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DAprilfooter419NO62)
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are
>>>
>> the property
>>
>>> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, mailto:
>>>
>> vv-help at corvair.org
>>
>>> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America,
>>>
>> http://www.corvair.org/
>>
>>> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
>>> Change your options:
>>>
>> http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are the property
> of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
> This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/
> Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
> Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
More information about the VirtualVairs
mailing list