Two weeks ago, I bought/traded for my 101st car - a '62 Corvair Monza 4-door. I used to do a lot of Corvair work back in the '70's, so I thought it might be fun to get another one. They're considered classics now, and tend to be pricey, so when I spotted this one, I couldn't resist. It's complete, all original, currently registered, and close by. The owner and his family wanted it gone. He knew nothing about it, and had no interest in it, as it was his father's project car. The odometer reads 44k, and it might be original...
I bought some tires, a battery, 5 gallons of gas, and some starting fluid, checked the oil and trans fluid (both looked brand new), and after 15 minutes or so, she was running! She sounded horrible, like every valve lifter had collapsed! I feared there was no oil pressure, so I had her towed home.
I tested for oil pressure, and there's plenty. Maybe the rocker arm adjusters have loosened up - I don't know. I haven't been underneath her yet.
The engine is an air-cooled, horizontally-opposed (boxer) six cylinder, with aluminum heads and crankcase, and iron cylinder barrels. I picked up a spare, later model engine ('64, according to the head numbers), which will be cleaned up, re-sealed, and installed in the car. I can then take my time and rebuild the original engine properly.
The spare engine has been rebuilt at some point, as it has .030 oversize pistons installed. The cylinder walls look good and smooth, with no ridge at the top, and the heads are in great shape. If I can find a reasonable set of 140 HP heads (big valves and 2 carbs per head), I'll go that route, with a 4-into-1 intake and Quadrajet carb. I built one for a sand rail years ago, and it was awesome!
I bought some tires, a battery, 5 gallons of gas, and some starting fluid, checked the oil and trans fluid (both looked brand new), and after 15 minutes or so, she was running! She sounded horrible, like every valve lifter had collapsed! I feared there was no oil pressure, so I had her towed home.
I tested for oil pressure, and there's plenty. Maybe the rocker arm adjusters have loosened up - I don't know. I haven't been underneath her yet.
The engine is an air-cooled, horizontally-opposed (boxer) six cylinder, with aluminum heads and crankcase, and iron cylinder barrels. I picked up a spare, later model engine ('64, according to the head numbers), which will be cleaned up, re-sealed, and installed in the car. I can then take my time and rebuild the original engine properly.
The spare engine has been rebuilt at some point, as it has .030 oversize pistons installed. The cylinder walls look good and smooth, with no ridge at the top, and the heads are in great shape. If I can find a reasonable set of 140 HP heads (big valves and 2 carbs per head), I'll go that route, with a 4-into-1 intake and Quadrajet carb. I built one for a sand rail years ago, and it was awesome!
opcorn: :laptop: good stuff :BigGrin: :BigGrin:
