<VV> A Novice Tries to Answer a Question

[Jeffrey B. Aronson]

>
> 1 - A friends car says after about ten minutes of running his car
> started 'pouring smoke' out of one of his exhausts.  I'm guessing a
> holed piston - anybody have a better (cheaper) explanation?
>   
Hi Andy,

I'm a novice with Corvairs, but I'm going to start the conversation for 
the experts.

A holed piston would not wait for 10 minutes to start "pouring smoke." 
It would have no compression immediately in that cylinder. I've learned 
here that what I feared was white "smoke from oil" is more often excess 
gas. Perhaps one carb is flooding? Or perhaps he has a lot of crankcase 
pressure that's overwhelming the PCV tube or valve? Is there oil coming 
out around the dipstick tube?
> 2 - Can front springs (EM vert) be cut down a half coil - or must it be
> a full coil?  In either case - how much is it likely to lower the ride
> height?  Is it possible for the cut down spring to pop out of its pocket
> at full droop?  If so, can it get out of alignment - or will it realign
> itself?
>   
I've certainly read posts about a 1/2 coil  reduction, but I'm going to 
leave that to the racing/autocross fraternity here.
> 3 - Is a mag fan 'moaning' sound at start up a sign of bearing failure?
The moan is a lack of grease. Mine does at startup when the car has sat 
for a few days. I plan on getting the Clark's grease attachment for the 
fan bearing. I've also read that it can do this for a long time before a 
failure.

I'd await the more experienced opinions before taking any actions.

Good luck!

Jeff Aronson
Vinalhaven, ME 04863
www.landroverwriter.com

'66 Corvair Monza Coupe 110/4
'66 Land Rover Series II-A [2]
'80 Triumph TR-7 Spider