<VV> New Flywheel and Corvair Repairs

[BBRT]

Great job. Reason for a working hand brake / emergency brake....for when you 
NEED it... Don't ask....

Chuck S
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeffrey B. Aronson" <jrh at foxislands.net>
To: "Virtual Vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 9:42 AM
Subject: <VV> New Flywheel and Corvair Repairs


> 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 While the car's clutch and pressure plate had been replaced by the P.O.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
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> _______________________________________________


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.445 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3155 - Release Date: 09/23/10 
18:34:00