<VV> New Flywheel and Corvair Repairs

[Jeffrey B. Aronson]

Hi All,

About a year ago Ron Moller, Maine's Professor of Corvair Studies, 
University of Maplewood Motors, listened to my '66 Monza at idle and 
winced in pain. "Change that flywheel sooner than later," he proclaimed. 
I drove home determined the get it done, and then for the past year, 
drove the car gingerly around the island, trying to figure out how and 
when to accomplish the engine-out job.

Finally, the answer came last week when Ron Tinkham, the head of the 
Dirigo Covair Club, offered his home shop and expertise to the task. I 
ordered the bolted flywheel and an assemblage of "while you're at it" 
parts from Clark's and made the 3.5 hour ferry trip and drive to Ron's.

Ron clearly knows his stuff and thought carefully about the most 
efficient procedure for the job. He ordered me to do the really 
difficult stuff, like removing battery and ground cables, while he 
undertook the yeoman tasks of unbolting suspension pieces and axle 
shafts. The engine and drivetrain  fit perfectly onto a motorcycle/ATV 
jack and cradle and slid right out from underneath the car.

While the car's clutch and pressure plate had been replaced by the P.O. 
and his mechanic, the flywheel and crankcase seal had not been, and both 
showed the results. The bell housing contained a BP-level oil plume and 
the flywheel sounded like a trash can being thrown to the ground. I took 
the time to top up the differential/transmission and check the splines 
on the shaft, and all was good. It was reassuring the see that the 
crossmembers and underside of the car were in pretty good shape for a 
New England vehicle.

I then tackled the leaky front wheel cylinder, replacing my failing 
rebuild effort with a new one. I did this work myself, using my 
accumulated knowledge of old British cars and my craftsmanship to 
produce over 1 hour of carefree driving. Approaching a long hill on the 
night drive home, I found the pedal holding only briefly before diving 
to the floor. I feared a failed master cylinder.

The next day I had a mechanic friend look at my wheel cylinder repair 
and he asked with a straight face if the rubber hose to the front 
cylinder was supposed to be "finger tight." Grimly, I acknowledged that 
perhaps it could use some extra turns and once he did that, the brakes 
worked quite well. As I told Ron on the phone later, I'll never let 
"that idiot" work on my brakes again!

The Monza now takes its place as the mainland car for some work 
assignments this Fall. It will be wonderful to drive it hard, starting 
and stopping, these upcoming months. First trip out is early this afternoon!

Thank you, Ron[s], for your advice and assistance!!!

Jeff Aronson
Vinalhaven, ME
www.landroverwriter.com