Chevrolet Corvair Convertible: How To Refurbish The Engine | Wheeler Dealers

Edd China shows you how to refurbish the engine on a convertible Chevrolet Corvair.
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[@chrisnurczyk8239]

When I was 17 years old (now 69 yrs.), I had to drop the engine from my Corvair Monza to replace my clutch & pressure plate. Didn't have Edd's advantages (hydraulic lifts, all essential tools, engine stands, and a lifetime of knowledge & experience). It was January in Northern Illinois. Jacked the rear end up as high as I could, put a kid's coaster wagon up against the bottom of the engine and held it there w/2 jacks. Broke the engine loose, slowly dropped it w/the jacks, and rolled the engine out on the little red wagon - and developed a profound respect for heavy objects. Draped a pup tent over the back of the car and put in as many trouble lights & lamps as I could scavenge for heat & got to work. This video brought back memories - can't believe I did it - don't want to repeat that history, believe me. But boy, did I love that car - later model w/independent suspension, we added a set of heavy-duty springs - handled like a cat. Really frustrated the "V-8 boys" on the windy roads. Miss that car...

[@user-mc2tu5zu6v]

Me too told...my buddies she handles like a Porsche

[@cub1009]

Love these old Corvairs. First car I ever drove was a 1965 Corvair.

[@StephenDanielAddeo]

its nice finally seeing someone give truths and mention the reliability of the engine.

[@ggrepoman]

Glad to see this, it's so exciting to see corvairs still getting air time. Rebuilt my 110 about 2 years ago, oh how I don't miss the leaks.

[@perry92964]

i had a 63 spyder this one in the show although has a spyder dash it is not a spyder

[@808kicks2]

Same did my 64 this week! So hyped forged pistons and no leaks!!

[@horizonglitter275]

@@perry92964 ppp

[@horizonglitter275]

Pppppp

[@horizonglitter275]

@@perry92964 pp

[@ACF6180T]

Hey Ed glad to hear You tell the story of how the Corvair engine predates the Porsche engine! I like to let the Porsche people know that fact ! & that the Corvair offered a Turbo between 1962 thru 1966 , & Porsche would not offer one till 1976 . Miss Ya Ed ! & I've never watched WD since You left .

[@stephenbloch4688]

I had a 1966 corsa convertible as a young man! Great looking and a great driving car!

[@ConwayT91]

This was such a cool episode, showing all the engine work!

[@thisone.]

The 1960 Corvair was way ahead of its time. Inspired so many other vehicles from BMW to Karman Ghia.

[@andreas78weber]

The Karmann-Ghia was from 1955. Sorry.

[@thisone.]

@@andreas78weber That was a different body design. When I said it influenced Ghia it was in reference to the body style that came out after the corvair. The type 34 technically isnt a Ghia but was designed by the Ghia team. But yes you are correct that the Karman Ghia came out in 55

[@KyleEisenhart]

This is one of the most informative videos I’ve come across yet, thank you very much! We love our 1962 Corvair 500, manual coupe!

[@TairnKA]

Growing up, our family had a 64 Monza convertible (110), later on I had a 66 Corsa convertible (140). My Mom worked at a tire store and was given a free set of Michelin radials, it was funny seeing mechanics shake their heads when my five foot and a bit mom tried to tell them the tires weren't flat. ;-D For decades hot rodders loved the Corvair front suspension for its compact and adaptable design, that's until the Mustang II came out with its disc-brakes, rack and pinion steering already installed.

[@sixinarow1]

As a kid in the early to mid 60s I remember magazine ads selling kits to make your Porsche fast, yea you guessed it, a kit to install a Corvair engine in a Porsche..

[@roberthart9886]

Back in the mid 67 I had a beautiful navy blue metallic convertible with a pail yellow interior and later a 66 convertible

[@HARRUMPH-SAL]

Just got a 64 Corvair convertible on the road that my sons bought from my buddy. I changed the valve cover gaskets and luckily that was the extent of the oil leak. 100465 miles on it.

[@kylestorm5667]

Hmm, this Corvair also has some A/C options. The bracket, the idle solenoid, the pulley & the air conditioning unit under the radio.... I don't see a condenser, drier or compressor though. Although the early model Corvair's didn't have 4 carb options. So if I had to guess this is a 62 with a 65/66 140 engine with air conditioning. As for it being a Spyder, well it doesn't have a turbo currently so maybe it was to start, although turbo cars couldn't have air conditioning, no room. So maybe it was a normal engine Corvair with A/C on a convertible which would be rare. That someone added Spyder items & a late model 140 engine keeping the A/C parts in some areas. Just my thought after noticing some parts around this Corvair!

[@perry92964]

its not a 140 they had 4 carbs this car is a mish mash of whatever parts someone could get.

[@travelingfool9096]

Edd episodes are the only ones worth watching

[@bert5959ify]

Absolutely awesome video. Thank you.

[@chrismaffei4214]

That’s amazing thank you for posting this video now I have an idea how to do my push rod seals on my 64 Chevy Corvairs

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

Hey Ed. I guess our Bet of $100 for the first HEMI ever made was a gentleman’s bet 🤔😱😂 Tina said at Auto books in Burbank. Oh well glad to see your back on. I don’t talk to Mike anymore. Gee I wonder why ?

[@aronyak1]

I love the Ghost Song beginning in there!

[@scallums]

Maybe they should have kept Edd Around, then the producers wouldn't have to play reruns of him to keep the show on life support. Honestly the show turned into used car sales dealers than a repair and resale show since Edd left, and I don't watch it anymore.

[@calibrazxr750]

That would be more believable if you hadn't clicked on a wheeler dealers video. Maybe they are just showing interesting clips that they own the rights to, regardless of who is starring in them.

[@scallums]

@@calibrazxr750 I am not subscribed to wheeler dealer, I just finished watching Edd China's latest video and this was in my recommended box and it was posted 4 hours after Edd's video... Edd doesn't get residuals on reruns so I won't be watching those either...

[@calibrazxr750]

@@scallums just because it is recommended, you do understand that you don't have to click on it right?

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@calibrazxr750 I thought you had to.

[@calibrazxr750]

@@rudolphguarnacci197 I researched this thoroughly and apparently, you don't.

[@staceywilliams5580]

Love the hair. Wish mine looked that great. I had two 1966 Corvairs I purchased my first one in 1986 (13 yrs old) only $150 140 HP 4 speed monza. Then about 4 yrs later 1966 110 PG for $2500 from a judges daughter in vermilion county IL.

[@RestorationObsession]

That belt setup is the craziest!!

[@thisone.]

I heard that belt costs the engine 25 hp. I once had mine break while running and the difference was amazing. But cant run it for long without it as it is the only thing that cools the engine.

[@playerpage]

@@thisone. The belt doesn't cost the engine the hp, the fan does. There are after market fans you can put on a Corvair to reduce some of the drag--but yeah, you can't go completely without one, or you're fried. Some drag racers who drive Corvairs will install a clutch they can activate from the driver's seat that will disengage the fan for short bursts.

[@thisone.]

@@playerpage Yeah I am aware that its just not the belt. But also the gen/alt. And if you an A/C that as well. Havent heard of an aftermarket fan. What fan are you referring to. Link? I have seen the clutch pulley before, saw it for sale on ebay, never heard of it before I saw it for sale.

[@RestorationObsession]

@@thisone. Is there a mod to convert the fan to electric?

[@thisone.]

@@RestorationObsession People have tried but nothing comes close to the engines rpm's to turn that fan and produce the airflow that the engine needs. I did see someone use this crazy electric motor setup thats off i think off a BMW. Looked ridiculous.

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Ever since Ed China left Wheelers Dealers, to create his own show, it has not been the same

[@rogerbec5766]

Nothing like the old AM radio Covair ad jingle "If you want to make the good times better, make it with a new Corvair."

[@nickpapadatos5263]

Ed China you genius 👍🇦🇺🔥.Sad his no longer on WD.

[@ronmoore1454]

I bought a ‘60 Monza in ‘64, and knew nothing about cars except they used gas and oil. The gas mileage was fantastic, but it spewed oil all over the engine compartment. A couple of family members had mechanics check it…never solved. I would go to Sears and buy a jug of oil and keep driving. I really like this car, it went in snow so easy.

[@ercost60]

5:00 Whoa Edd!! Do NOT remove all 6 "bolts", actually rocker studs. The cylinder head gaskets are finicky metal rings and you will blow a gasket. Only work on one cylinder at a time, removing 2 rocker studs. Replace those 4 O-rings and re-torque those 2 rocker studs before doing the next cylinder.

[@62hotrodvair]

i see its a early spyder model but it looks like they took off the turbocharger and carb and replaced it with the standard 2 single carbs , i had a mechanic Convair friend in san jose who said many people when they has some trouble with the turbocharger carb set up would bring them in and ask to take the turbocharger off and put regular carbs on the cars, the mechanic had several turbocharge set ups in his shop because of that reason. i have a 62 monza with sunroof added and 4 speed and wide tires aluminum rims . small sport steering wheel . they are fun cars .

[@perry92964]

i had a 63 with the turbo and i never had a problem. this one probably got swapped cause the original engine blew and it was cheaper to just drop a new engine in but becuse one of the heads had an oit return line they didnt put the turbo back on. mine dropped a valve seat and i had a 102 so i swapped it but i modified a valve cover for the oil line.

[@TairnKA]

It looks like it has a Spyder dash, but no turbo on the engine (did you get the turbo with it)?

[@Thomas63r2]

Air cooled pushrod engines like the VW and Corvair can be leaky, but as Edd said they are generally reliable. Corvairs were just cheap used cars when I started driving in the mid '70's. I considered buying a Corvair, I had several friends who owned Corvairs. They all seemed be bad oil leakers, and I was amazed how many miles they seemed to go with almost no maintenance.

[@Friedbrain11]

I owned a '61 4 door Corvair and it was a great handling car I trusted it more than I do these later-year cars. By the way, that gauge panel should either be different or the car should be a turbocharged model. That motor you have is a low performance engine and probably replaced the more desirable turbo engine.

[@MrTommyboy68]

Did you keep the old A/C components?

[@jimgarofalo5479]

You do indeed have a Spyder body, but you have the wrong engine. The original would have had a turbocharger on it. It also would have had a different distributor, lower compression, forged crankshaft, and a few other goodies. Also, the "giveaway" is the cutout for the exhaust. The turbo had a 3-inch exhaust pipe and a larger muffler. For those who are interested, the 92, 95, 102, and 110 horsepower engines each had only 2 carburetors - one on each cylinder head. The 140 was by itself in that it had FOUR carburetors set up in a primary/secondary setup with two carbs being used for most normal driving and the other two opening up when you floored it. The 150 and 180 horsepower engines both had turbochargers.

[@perry92964]

i had a 63 spyder it was fun till a valve seat failed, i had a 102 engine and with a little modification to a valve cover was able to swap it in, it was a hp improvement as well and with a lighter weight clutch i made from a stack of old ones someone gave me. i was getting boost in first gear, it also spooled up and down much faster giving it a sound like a porsche when you revved it up

[@jimgarofalo5479]

@@perry92964 The 102 hp engine was the predecessor of the 110 hp engine. When they increased the displacement from 145 cid to 164 cid, the horsepower went up a bit. Putting the 150 hp parts on a 102 should give you quite a boost in horsepower., but some loss in strength. Of the things that were done to the turbo engine: 1) Lower compression (turbo effectively doubles compression) to allow for maximum boost without excessive pinging or knocking. 2) Forged pistons instead of cast. 3) Forged crankshaft and connecting rods - instead of cast. 4) No vacuum advance. The item on the distributor that LOOKS like a vacuum advance was actually a pressure retard. It retarded timing under high boost conditions to reduce or eliminate spark knock. Those turbocharged engines were pretty tricked out. Using a 102 basic engine with the 150 parts probably gave you in the vicinity of 170 to 200 horsepower. The higher compression in combination with the turbocharger most likely would have been a real performer. AS to how long it would hold up, the jury is still out on that one.

[@perry92964]

@@jimgarofalo5479 you can close the case, it worked very well and did up until i sold it about five years later there was no loss in strength the turbo engines also had a heavier flywheel for the only reason i can think of, shifting into the next gear would give the car a slight jerk from the momentum, i went through a stack of old clutches and made one with all he lightest parts, it spooled up and down very quickly, sounded like a porshe. it also gave me boost in first gear. because of the lower octane gas of today i was only able to run it at 18 degrees btc instead of 24 any higher then 18 it would ping. i did get a water injection unit for it but i never got around to putting it on. the 102 was the mid range of early models the low end was 80 hp. and that was what the turbo engine used. the theory was the turbo added 70 hp.

[@WhittyPics]

If you are going through all the work of taking that motor out, why not completely rebuild it and put fresh rings in it too and grind the valves?

[@bartscanland9415]

I wonder if this is an authentic Spyder that had it's turbo engine swapped out. Also peculiar is the 5 lug axle at 3:45 considering all Corvair cars from '60-'64 had 4 lugs at all 4 corners. I'm guessing the axleshafts are off of a Corvair 95 van/truck.

[@thisone.]

Most likely had van brakes as they were bigger and had more stopping power.

[@jimschauer37]

This whole car was a mishmash of Corvair parts! Engine was not a 150 hp Spyder turbo, generator was replaced with alternator, taillights replaced with '64 lenses, hubcaps were '62, and front grille bar was missing... Most operating Spyders also added the '64 camber spring on the rear suspension to eliminate rear wheels from tucking in too much. All these parts are easily available from quality suppliers...

[@moboutmen]

Most impressive!

[@sharksport01]

Nice video.

[@wurly164]

Shut up Mike, we're here for Edd and Edd only.

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

Found more Corvairs in a wrecking yard in The desert in Dry California yesterday

[@tetchuma]

I grew up in Winsted, Connecticut, seven houses down from Rose Nader; Ralph Nader’s mother. She taught me how to make Lebanese bread. She and her daughter, Clair, knew I was a car fanatic, so they told me about all the unscrupulous and underhanded harassment that GM threw at Ralph and his family right before his congressional testimony. Not only did they send ‘ladies of the night’ to hit on Ralph so they could get a photograph to use as leverage, but they also tried to bribe his mother. GM execs would show up in a Cadillac and told her she could have it, “if she played nice.” She refused. When that didn’t work, they started taunting her by saying, “I’d be a shame if Ralph got disbarred because of losing such an ‘un-winnable’ case.” He won his case. There was a guy in town that had a baby blue Corvair, that he would drive up and down Hillside Ave, whenever Ralph’s Porsche was parked outside his mothers house. Just out of spite. Lol!

[@playerpage]

Yes, the public relations department at GM was run by morons at that time. However, no disrespect to Rose, but Ralph Nader did not win his case. None of the suits against GM regarding the Corvair were successful. They were judged to be baseless. One ore two settled, but these were early in the litigation process, when GM was still building its case, and settling was simpler than fighting unprepared. In 1972, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, ironically established in the wake of the Corvair controversy, exonerated the Corvair, declaring it no less safe than any of its contemporaries. www.politico.com/story/2017/07/20/federal-study-refutes-naders-corvair-charges-july-20-1972-240609

[@tetchuma]

@@playerpage Actually, he did win the majority of case against GM. They had to disclose their stability tests for the Corvair’s rear swing axle design/tire pressure requirements, during preproduction, as well as acknowledge “the likely possibility” of a conspiracy perpetrated by GM associates, that were used to slander/character assassinate, Ralph Nader. It resulted in several executives being forced to resign.

[@playerpage]

@@tetchuma I think we're talking about different things. There were nearly 200 suits against GM involving the Corvair, and GM prevailed in all but the one they settled. I think you're talking about the libel case Nader filed against GM, that yeah, he won and used the money to start his non-profit organization. The execs weren't forced to resign through any litigation, per se, they were forced out by GM for the embarrassment they caused. And the road tests and tire pressure requirements were already disclosed by GM in their advertisements and owners manuals. Nader thought they were hiding more and sued for that. It's the kind of stuff that the Corvair was cleared of in 1972 by the government.

[@kyledavis4890]

The ironic thing is that there is a blue corvair as a permanent exhibit in the Ralph Nader museum out east.

[@garydesgres1382]

Ralph Nader visited Clarks Corvair parts here in Shelburne MA. He gave Cal an autographed copy of his book. He may have been wrong about the Corvair but he was right about the industry as a whole. American cars could go fast in a straight line, just don't try to turn or stop.

[@martincolvill5453]

Oh, to have lift! I drool after this!

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

I was slow in making some decisions and missed out on buying a coupe of these. Darn, I am kicking myself every time I see one now.

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

My Late Uncles where Engineers on these in 1958 -64

[@redtra236]

when a hard top corvair isn't dangerous enough you get a convertible lol

[@mark8544]

Jubjub is still using Edd to direct people to his new channel i see, at least hes learned and left it until the end............................

[@complejoresidencialavenida5937]

Eed China the best.......

[@garygross9216]

I have the same exact car I swapped a set of wheels for it a coupe

[@jonhohensee3258]

He's got fantastic hair.

[@RestorationObsession]

Ah the sweet Corvair. What an interesting and odd vehicle. But cool in it's own right!

[@ercost60]

Car came with a new gas tank & brake shoes!

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

Same rears Suspension as a 61-63 Pontiac Lans and “Rope” for the trans.

[@jimgrazulis3542]

I laughed when I saw the engine coming down out of th ebody. I used to lower the body down to the ground on top of a board and jack the car up with a tripod bumper jack . Leaving the engine on the floor. Mine was a Powerglide and it was easier to remove the transaxle along with the engine.

[@perry92964]

i used to be able to have mine out on a dolly in 45 minutes

[@paulgrimm]

This was my first car.62

[@craigjohnston3431]

Oi oi oi Don't put the inner o-ring on the return tube until after you've slid them on the head, lest you slice the inner ring as you push it through the head. But yes corvairs without leaks.. very much possible.

[@deltacx1059]

1:49 which is not all that true, its the same as a vw or Porsche. It actually handles wrll enough to race.

[@seangelarden9543]

Bet every bolt is 9/16 , ive had two Corvairs and my daily driver is a 65 Chevy G10

[@branon6565]

The ONLY Garbage Motors manufactured vehicle I'd consider owning is a 1st gen Corvair, it's just a good lookin, unique car....🤘🏻🇺🇸

[@wilsoncastro7064]

HOLA. YO. TENGO. UN. CORVAIR. 64. COBERTIBLE. EN. PUERTO. RICO. BUSCO. UNA. TRAMICION. AUTO MATICA

[@lee161a]

It looks a bit like a lycoming or continental piston aviation engine.

[@markwagner4909]

Mechanical fuel pumps take a lot of pumping to get gas up to carburetors Install an electrical fuel pump and it’s will start each time right away without lots of pumping I just sold my convertible

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

They leaked oil like crazy 🤔😬

[@kennybachus5100]

Classic. Chevrrolet. Corair. Reveiw

[@donschwartz9585]

The Corvair was a bit ahead of it's time. It was no more dangerous than any other if you didn't beat the hell out of it turning. I guess Nadar got his 15 minutes of fame. There were more dangerous cars at the time.

[@danielkidder1403]

Never seen anyone separate the U-joint to pull axles. The yoke just slides out of the differential

[@perry92964]

no it doesnt, no axle on any car does, there locked in

[@dapurmungil8852]

always partial, never finish till the end.....

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

Who want’s Corvairs ! I know a old man who has a yard full ! And some rare Stingers in the garages and Trucks n vans

[@wolfsden3812]

I thought he was done fixing cars

[@TraviesoLoco]

Please tell me that's a wig he's wearing cause if it ain't,,, bruv.... You really need to clean that up lol

[@carlcutts8535]

Rebuilt many

[@steveopenshaw9285]

😢Y

[@jim3314]

Love Edd miss him. Hate WD and the cast. Cheap knock off of the orignal. Edd did the work, Mike just made noise.

[@brat1324]

He really needs to stop wearing those t-shirts like that. He looks like 4 years old.

[@shakey2634]

The question isn’t “How” do you refurbish a Corvair…….it’s “Why” would you?!?!?!

[@perry92964]

their good cars, i had one it was really well engineered, if you never owned one your missing out

[@shakey2634]

@@perry92964 My dad had a first gen and my uncle had a 2nd gen. Neither one kept them very long and they still laugh at themselves for having owned them at all. Let’s just say their experiences with them were less than positive.

[@wetcheetofart]

If you're watching this to remove the motor and trans. Note: The axles pull from the trans, so no need to undo the U joints. Just the 4 bolts at the backing plate.

[@ungurdani8346]

Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe ..

[@GeorgeStar]

Edd is the only guy worth watching. The other clowns on WD are just unwatchable.