1965 Corvair Engine Removal - More Thrills & Spills!!!

Buckle up, this is a long one!
In this video we are setting out to take care of the oil leak problems once and for all.
Come along!
[e-mail]
ratzlaffmotorco.com

[@Kpar512]

At 19:08 you mentioned that you were using the "O"-rings from a Fel-Pro kit. Fel-Pro is a fine company that makes fine products (I have toured their factory near Chicago), but Fel-Pro was using silicon O-rings, which do not hold up well over time (If Fel-Pro has changed materials since, I am unaware, and those look like silicon). I ALWAYS use Viton O-rings, available from Clark's Corvair parts, and so do all my Corvair friends. Plus, I always put on the lower O-ring AFTER I put the pushrod tube through the head, to avoid damage as it goes through the hole.

[@davidj4662]

Really interesting little car. I enjoy watching you work on it.

[@davidsmyth5770]

I had a 1963 Corvair Greenbrier. Easy to work on if and a big if, you take your time. Not sure if yours is an automatic, if it is make sure you disconnect the cable first. I ruined a 2 speed hydro-glide transmission by pulling on the cable. Got a replacement for about $45 in a junk yard. Be careful of the head valve cover gaskets. Very gentle install with new gaskets. Balance the carbs by ear or vacuum gage is the best. Doing the dwell meter method isn't the best. Send me a message if you have any questions. I found a junk yard with multiple Greenbriers that had glass in the doors, so I replaced both sides and rear doors as mine was a commercial version. The heater box was destroyed and everyone that I was able to find had the same issue. Most garage workers didn't know you had to disconnect the heater boxes underneath before removing the rear deck plate, therefore shattering the boxes. I installed a converted Volkswagen bus gasoline heater to propane and installed that for heat. Worked great except either it was on or off. No in between. Put the propane tank in an old beer keg and mounted that to the back door. Worked well. Bummer was someone stole the Budweiser tap I had on it. I got stopped many, many times by state and local police to ask me what the keg was for. All laughed and went on their way. Great memories!

[@richardzirk6935]

I had a couple of these in the mid 70's after I got out of the Army. Yours is the color of my last one - I really miss having one as they are a blast to drive. I really appreciate what you are doing with this one. Thank you!

[@randallsanders7446]

Thanks for another good one. My mother had a Corvair in the late 60's. I got to see & hear the engine run but never saw one being worked on. I remember being kind of amazed that the engine was in the back of the car & that it was kind of flat. -- unlike anything I was used to. Glad to see that you decided to pull the engine. Through the early part of the video I kept repeating pull the engine ... pull the engine ... pull the engine. Then I realized that my telekinetic mind maneuvers were wasted because I was trying to connect with the past. That exercise in futility was quite exhausting, so ... time for a nap.

[@JohnnyL6975]

Also don’t run the engine without the hot air hose. Your number 6 and 5 cylinders will loose cooling and run hot.. you can drop a valve seat as the engine doesn’t cool those two cylinders. Without out the hot air hose all the air goes out the two exits for heat . Get those air hoses in or block them off.

[@JohnnyL6975]

You need to jack up the car more!

[@JohnnyL6975]

At lest 2 feet up or more

[@timothyrdunning]

Really enjoyed this video.I have never seen a Corvair engine worked on, keep it going.

[@frankl.5153]

Have not put a wrench to one of those 'motors' since the mid 70's. I am thoroughly enjoying this. Thank you Jay for taking the time to include us.

[@mgc67]

Yep, this was my first car. I learned so much about cars owning one of these. With proper tires and suspension, the handling beat the pants off the more expensive German cars I owned later in life.

[@willyg6545]

I have loved these Corvairs too and still may find one to work on again. Great job on the engine teardown!!

[@blown572hemi]

How could someone criticize about learning and doing? There's a first for everything and everyone. Transmission fluid looks excellent.

[@TheJayhawker]

Right on! I added a jug of tranny fluid when I first got the car going.

[@terrallputnam7979]

I really like the corvette style rally wheels. It really jazzes up the look! That is why I want a Corvair. It's like a poor man's Camaro. Still very cool!

[@ronaldfarmer1208]

I am a Chevy man for years, Have had limited experience with Corvairs although I owened several back in the 70s. Found this one really interesting. Enjoyed the clips and will be looking forward to the next one.

[@boatnut64]

That looks like 2 cylinders more fun, than my '59 VW Bug... ❤❤❤

[@billshiff2060]

I had a 66 corsa 180 turbo and a 69 monza. The engine is really easy to take out.

[@BrettRSutherland]

While recovering from back surgery I , by myself swapped my 95 hp 4 speed with posi 65 CORVAIR 500 motor for a 140 hp after I had driven the old engine 300, 000 miles ...... took me 1 1/2 hours to have the engine on the floor.

[@patrickshaw8595]

My high school ride was one of those with a big turbo, four barrel and NOS - it was a kick in the ass with the big 50 Series radials and mag wheels.

[@95Z28A4]

Yes, make the engine look new. Because.......as you continue improving your Corvair, you'll wish you had.

[@haroldlamble5163]

Noisey ,leaky, cold natured but i love them.

[@markweston8081]

Man I hate to say this but I loved that little car

[@rustyrobinson8027]

That's pretty cool thanks for the upload 👍

[@mkepler5861]

when replacing the o rings on the pushrod tubes, you can install the o ring on the head side, push the tube into the head, then install the o ring on the block side. it makes it easier than wiggling the tube out of the head. mike

[@ACF6180T]

Thanks for the video on you learning how to tear it down. I do like some of your humor you inject into the video. Thanks for the update , & looking forward to the next one on the 65 Corvair 500.

[@dougschmidt8302]

My mechanic buddy in the small town we lived in had three of these -two cars and a pickup. He still has the pickup. Such good memories, we had a bunch of guys in the back in the winter on snowy days and we would go rabbit hunting, don’t think it was too legal. The deck over the engine would keep you warm in the back. I’ve been after him for the last 2 years to get it going again, it looks like it’s in great shape, he keep’s everything so he’ll never sell it. I enjoy watching your projects!! You are a blessing to many

[@ladybeekeeper7777]

Just found his video and your channel. Love your work and subscribed 👏

[@richardhumphries5205]

I am thoroughly enjoying these videos. You make it interesting and I am learning a lot.

[@sparkplug0000]

With it being from the 1960’s, an era when STP solved everything, that may have constituted some of that biohazard you found in the oil pan. Funny how an air cooled engine seems simple in theory but is so complicated when you factor in all the tin work and “oddities”.

[@mkepler5861]

well said, I didn't know President Washington said that, but it is true!!! thanks

[@bradalgra8088]

Just bought a '69 500 that has all the same oil seepage issues. Like you, I'm keeping the car original, as it is, for now, and working on getting it mechanically sound and enjoying it. Thank you for sharing with us your thought process and procedures, as you dig into your '65s motor. I'm sure I will be referencing this vid many more times.

[@larrybailey43]

Nice project !

[@larrybailey43]

I gotta say, I love um too ! With upgrade improvements to parts, they should be a better car than original.

[@sinistersilverado965]

I need to get my Corvair on the road

[@bobeaseshop9389]

I am happy you have gone in on this. I know I would not have - but there is good information you are digging into. I just hope you go super deep into the reason these were "unsafe" because of the rear suspension. I was riding with my sister on I-85 near Gastonia NC when I was a boy and saw one of these go out of control and crash. Just be safe and show how you do it. You are doing the Lord's work here on this classic and I will be in with you till you get it up and going to factory settings! I can tell by your voice you are getting joy fixin' the old girl up. Bobby

[@ianjay5301]

Oh boy. More anecdotal nonsense about how "unsafe" Corvairs are. The 65 onward cars are perfectly fine - even the earlier models can be safely driven. Have you ever driven a mid sixties Falcon? Now that can be downright scary. Corvairs steer and brake with far more competence than any of their contemporary competition.

[@bobeaseshop9389]

I saw it happen but I do well understand not too many cars of that era were super safe. I'll never forget the look in that girls eyes and the car just going out of control. Yes it could have been other reasons like not keeping up tire pressure and such like Ford & Firestone & Pintos & Bronco II's and so on. Ralph Nader I don't think has even had a drivers license! I knew a guy that has had Corvair's for 25 years and has zero problems with this but he keeps them up perfectly. It's just I saw it happen... like I say.... for whatever the reason was. Good Conversation to have and if it makes things safer and better I'll take a beat down! Bobby

[@RonaldReed-ul9du]

The vast majority of oil leaks are the push rod cover seals. They're O rings that do get hard and then leak.

[@martinhillstead1541]

they are great car but they have faults too. grease dirt is not our friend. the one thing is make it simple too , when pulled engine you found out more leaks on it. this is time to make clear pretty. it a lot work but when you see engine clean and clear. you be shocked and say wow i glade i did it.

[@SignalyardsGarage]

I had no idea how a corvair engine was put together. What an education! You are correct in that the Corvair design is mighty complicated for a supposedly simple design! Great one sir Jay!

[@jeremiahsummers8054]

It really isn't, please take a look at other videos online there are easier ways of doing things, like dropping the engine with the rest of the power train it's 3 bolts super easy and allows you to pull off the engine without almost breaking your input shaft and doing damage to bearings etc.. I mean you do you, I just don't like complexity and causing myself more work. With these cars buy yourself a shop manual it's the best tool you can have in your arsenal with these and will save you a lot of complexity and future heartache. He says in the video he doesn't know what he's doing, there's no excuse when there are so many resources available (even on caveman 60s) that tell you what to do, step by step.

[@kenzollweg1304]

I had a 63 spyder convertible, loved it , my neighbor was a gm mechanic and he was telling me that they wouldn't put oil in them until someone bought them, but them were the first years, he said they would bring them in and drain the oil and wait to sell them

[@TheJayhawker]

lol, I don't doubt it!

[@Friedbrain11]

I still love the "vair but I want a manual trans next time LOL. I like high performance and even though that PG is a good trans it just doesn't help with the performance. I wish I could come to help you with it. Been a while since I got to work on one. 95 hp and a pg. Heheheheh... the last Corvair I had was a '65 Corsa model with 4 speed and 140hp engine. It got stolen in Florida and I never saw it again. By the way on the exhaust manifolds, I replaced studs on the pipe side with nuts and bolts. They always seem to break off just to frustrate you LOL.

[@tomwarner2468]

Well if you were my neighbor, I'd let ya use corvair repair book I've never used!

[@ianjay5301]

The 65 has a superior rear engine mount. Almost every single 66 or newer Corvair I see at show has a rear mount that is in the process of failure. I always carried 65 spares. I gave my last two to someone who had a really nice 66 Monza convertible whose mount was failing.

[@trailermonkey8687]

Very interesting video. I knew Corvairs were laid out very similar to air cooled VWs but I had no idea just how a like they are! The flat six Chevy engine is pretty much a Big VW type III (fast back or square back) engine. I think GM must have studied the VW design very carefully.

[@paulgrimm]

My Corvair sprayed oil like a crop duster 😂.Corvairs have lots of seals and they all Leak

[@PeterLee-zn3jl]

I had a Corsa , silver 140/4 and built it strong , epoxy paint ...rebuilt all susp , and front crossmember rehabbed ,etc etc IT WAS A STRONG ,GOOD CAR.....TBONED BY A CAR...-- SOLD AS A DONOR WITH A PERFECT DRIVETRAIN. ALL IN ALL...I SPENT 6K THEN..NOW I IMAGINE 15K TO REPLACE..AARGH.

[@pierrevoyemant7137]

Thanks for sharing, fun …hope to get a Corvair again someday…couldn’t tell if you put the pushrods with the squirt hole toward the rocker…God bless

[@TheJayhawker]

yes I did, sorry I forgot to mention it.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

parents had his and hers corvairs mom 1967 500 110 Auto dad 66 corsa Convertible 140 4 speed they where about 6 yrs old when they owned them good daily drivers never seen a late model 500 with a/c

[@marksancken9571]

there is orings under the rocker arm studs that get hard and leak alot.

[@whototeru]

While it's apart, be sure to shroud your oil cooler. Yours is missing and it'll run a lot more efficiently if you make a new one!

[@JohnSmith-bh8um]

Did you say 71 camper? I thought they stopped making greebriers in 65. Does that book you have work for a 63 greenbrier? Im looking for one that covers the greenbrier

[@larrybailey43]

Think I saw something about better jugs designs available now., and better gaskets too

[@user-bb4hy9tx9r]

I was watching your 48 restoration and i wanted to know if the front clip on a 2door 48 chevy would fit on a 4 door chevy what i hve is a 4 door stylemaster but need the front clip

[@TheJayhawker]

Yes, should all be the same.

[@larrybailey43]

I’ll always think that They were forerunners of Camaro’s

[@gabrielcalhoun8279]

I really like the color of the Corvair. What is the factory number for that

[@TheJayhawker]

The code is K or KK and the GM number is WA3305 Artesian Turquoise

[@user-bh1se9hn9j]

Very easy to remove

[@larrybailey43]

At least read thru the Book on disassembly for an idea ! Lol !

[@JohnnyL6975]

I am a corvair nut and have two of them.. .. you made a big mistake. 1 no red silicone o rings.. Viton orings. Are what you need 2. You should have started removing the nuts from the center first.3. You need and oweners repair manual. 4. You need my consultation..

[@raystevens687]

Don't give up your day job.😅

[@TheJayhawker]

Oh yes they call him the streak!

[@user-bh1se9hn9j]

Not original motor

[@larrybailey43]

Well, ya have it tore down so paint the parts while doing something else.

[@bobcook9030]

Breaking a major component(Bell Housing) is inexcusable in this tear down. You should definitely NOT be doing it!

[@mkepler5861]

I don't know if you have already reinstalled the engine, but I found it a lot easier to remove the engine and trans as one piece. simply because you may have to pay HELL to reinstall that drive shaft, especially at that angle!!!

[@user-bh1se9hn9j]

I've removed many engines does not require to remove transmission

[@mkepler5861]

@@user-bh1se9hn9j were they Corvair engines, or V8 engines? remember the Corvair engine has a drive shaft that is about 2 1/2 feet long and is difficult to install when everything is on the floor.