I have to say I enjoy your earnest fascination with discovering how this all works in an hands-on manner. If one has the means and the time I feel these cars should all be preserved, and I am most enthralled when the preservation is undertaken by someone with a genuine interest in furthering their knowledge and experience in the process.
Disc brake conversion for the front brakes is a great investment. Plus you get all new brakes. Great work. You're kind of like the Bob Ross of car rescuers. 😆
Haha someone else said Mr. Rogers! I’ll take either, at least those guys are pretty well regarded 😅 I’ll think about the disc brakes, thanks for the tip!
Wish I had your "test track" :) I also am restoring a 63 Spyder so am really enjoying your content. I live in the CA foothills so taking my first test drive in the hills was a real leap of faith! Enjoying your show, thanks.
I restored these cars for many years with my Dad, at his peak he had 30 of them. They really were engineered well (for that time period) and the engines were bulletproof although they would leak unless you replaced the O-rings in the pushrod tubes would usually only took a Saturday morning. He had a 64 Spyder Turbo convertible and I remember when we got it home and began trying to get it to crank it backfired and sounded like a cannon.
30 Corvairs holy moly! Wish I had your experience. Engine coming out next and we’ll be replacing more than those pushrod tubes for sure. Thanks for watching!
I am a master mechanic, 4 years of technical schooling, worked for Wards for 18 years until they closed, then Sears foe another 1🎉😢0 years till they closed and opened my own shop and slowly hired more and more employees and sold the business and retired. My observation is that you know more than letting on, have more than the proper tools including a lift. You are not a beginner, but I applaud your ability. I completely restored my 1967 Mustang.
Steven, thanks for your comment. My claim of being a beginner has been repeatedly challenged, sometimes angrily, as if I’m being dishonest. I can only say I FEEL like a beginner, because although I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this stuff, I’ve spent very little time doing it. I’m at a point in life where I finally have some time to dive into it. I started this channel because I’m guessing other people have the same interest but limited experience as I do, and would gain from following along. I try to capture my thoughts out loud as I go, to demonstrate the process of discovery that anyone can do. I truly appreciate your observation given your expert background. My dad bought a 1967 Mustang 289 coupe for my older brother to drive in 1980 (for $600 as I recall). For one glorious year in HS it was mine to drive. My brother came back from college and got side-swiped in that car by a 16-year old. He was fine, car was totaled and I never saw it again. I still miss it. Would love to see what you’ve done with your ‘67. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!
Good progress. I had (2) 61s and a 66, all coupes. Definitely cool cars. Very unique which will work against you sometimes. I'll be along for the ride!! Roger
My first new car was a 60 two door coupe with the "Powerpak" 95hp engine. I set an NHRA drag strip record of 17.10 seconds in D Modified sports car class. The "Modified" was dual exhausts. In the late summer of 1960 I installed a 61 4-speed transmission that I bought over the counter at my local dealer. In addition, I drilled and scooped the backing plates, installed metallic brake linings, shocks from 1957 Chevy front (standard duty in the front of the car, heavy duty in the rear), cut one coil from the rear springs, made wheels which were 7"x 15" for the rear, and installed Corvette valve springs and solid lifters. The car was infamous for 500 miles around my home. Some of the stunts I pulled included out dragging a fuelie Corvette across the width of a 4 lane intersection, and out running Kansas high way patrol and Arizona HP without even knowning they were chasing me!! I have tried to duplicate that car, with limited success on more than one occasion. Current car is 74 conv. with 140 Horse engine, 4-speed trans, 3.55 rear gears, totally re-built engine, forged pistons, balanced, blueprinted, etc. etc. etc. Anyway, enjoy your car. It can be the source of great pleasure and endless frustation.
Man you are way beyond me! Sounds like you had a heck of a car there. You’re right about working on cars. It’s a kind of fun that’s hard to explain to people considering how frustrating it can be. Thanks for sharing about your cars and thanks for watching!
I had a 63 convertible at age 19, and then another during the 80's all restored, but couldn't afford to keep it after a few years. I spent no money on it and sold it for same as I paid for it. Now they are finally appreciating in value. When I hit the lottery, I'll get one more. lol. I'm 71 soon.
THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE GONE ON MINE BY 65 THEY STOOD WELL NEW BUT SAGGED QUICKLY I PUT THE SAME SPACER IN MINE IN 66 BEFORE REPLACING THE SPRING KEEP GOING YOU DOING GOOD
left rear wheel just needed a good smack with a BFH on the front side, just outside the studs. counter-intuitive to hit on the front but it almost always works. A small torch would be helpful too, would have also helped loosen the bleeder screws. Those tires are kind of funny, very little wear on ancient bias plies.
I found your channel this weekend. Good stuff. I’m preparing to start a rebuild on a 63 Corvan 95 8-door panel van. Found your channel while looking for inspiration! I’m down in Martinsville, IN.
I owned a '62 corvair in the late 70s that I bought for $100. It was a 90 hp that I boosted up to 110 with a 4 carb set that I found at a junk yard followed by a turbocharger from the same junk yard. I got it running but it continually vapor locked when I turned it off. When I opened up the turbo on the road it would fly. I was pulled over by the cops on my test drive for speeding.
I was a complete novice when I started working on my Mustang 4 years ago. You will pick things up as you go for sure. I would suggest getting a shop manual for the car. I see they do have theses available for your car for between $30 and $40. I reference mine all the time. Second for brakes, drums are pretty straight forward but something of a pain to work on. I would suggest checking out JunkYard Diggs RU-vid channel. He has several good videos on how to do brakes. I am sure there are many others out there as well. Good luck on the car. Look forward to seeing you progress.
These are great ideas. I do have a fair bit of literature on the car now, including shop manuals. Your ‘67 Mustang six is nifty. First car I drive when I got my license was a ‘67 289 coupe. Loved that car. My older brother totaled it before my senior year😢 Enjoy working on it, I’ll be checking it out!
The reason the one tire is further out than the other is because the wheel bearing has moved on the the axle shaft. These are pressed onto the axle. Not sure why this would happen, but it should be addressed before you head out on the road. Great progress!
The fan sure is quieter now! I love what you’re doing. I’d give anything to see it when it’s back together. My sister had one many years ago, got hit in it while stopped at a light, totaled it ( & probably destroyed engine ). She had 3 cars that were totaled, & Corvair was #2. I was in the car with her, when Dad was teacher to drive a stick. First one was also at a stop light….Buick LeSabre, hit head-on, car was nice before that, but totaled. The third one killed her. Totaled her new Nova by a drunk driver at high speed. To this day, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Corvair. Hers was white, & a second generation Corvair, but that’s all I know. I guess I’ll never know the year.
Patrick, thank you for all your comments and helpful advice. I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. I’ll keep working away on this project and keep posting my progress. Engine is disassembled. Cylinder heads and crankshaft in shop. Working on the body. Stay tuned and thanks for watching!
I had a '65 convertible with auto trany. It had a body leak in the area of the heater ducts that ran along the side of the passenger compartment. Every time I drove through a puddle my windshield would fog up. Took it back to the dealer but were not able to fix it.
Glad you're bringing this car back from the grave man, I missed this video when it dropped somehow. Keep up the great work man, it's hard to keep motivation on a project sometimes.
@@lostwrenchgarage Of course, also I ment to say, I laughed when you said your watch thought you got hurt. So long story short I've worked security for 5 years, 1 year with my current company, 4 with the old. The old company used Android phones to monitor security patrols, the phone had a feature that if you shook it hard it went into emergency mode. Sounds great, right? Yeah well, one patrol that used that phone involved quite literally hundreds of stair steps to climb up and down every night... Yeah that feature was disabled pretty quickly after the bosses realized how poorly thought out it was. Just walking would cause the phone to start going off like an air raid siren in your pocket. Comical, but very time consuming to reset it every time it happened. Technology is great until it isn't, and no one wants a smushed smart watch. I don't even leave my cell phone in my pocket when I'm working on my cars 'cause I've had them get broken mysteriously, I think my old cars are scared of the new technology or something. Anyway keep up the great work!
The rubber brake lines will swell completely closed. They are a major fail point on an old car like this, it's a good idea to just replace them proactively. Also - if you didn't know, brake fluid will completely strip paint right to bare metal. As for that axle shaft sticking out, it probably pulled out while hammering on the stuck wheel. The retainer should have been tight to the backing plate.
These are great tips, thank you. I bet I did cause that axle shaft to move. Never occurred to me, should have thought of that. I'll be rebuilding the whole thing eventually anyway. Same with the brakes, they'll need completely redone. I might cut those rubber brake lines open to check them out soon. I bet you're right, probably completely swelled shut. As far as engine oil leak... that engine is coming out next. Stay tuned!
that smoke on the left side - I would guess an oil leak. I knew a guy who had a Corvair back in the day. It had an oil leak that dumped oil where the smoke went right into the cabin if he turned the heater on. Engine sounds quite good, and it doesn't look like it's burning oil.... bet the engine is in decent condition.
Say it with me….PARKING BRAKE. I wouldn’t be operating the brakes with the drums off….I forgot once, and learned the hard way. When you go to bleed the brakes, the drums have to be on. Otherwise, the fluid will push the shoes apart until the wheel cylinders come apart, puking all the fluid out all over the place. The only reason you don’t have a mess on your hands, is that your brake system doesn’t work.
I just watched the episode where you got the corvair running in your driveway, and I think I should make you aware of something you should know about. I was around when these cars were made and back in the seventies the safety bard put out a notice about a major safety problem with all corvairs, thats why they disappeared from the road. The alert was that they were a major fire hazard for anyone riding in one if it was involved in an accident!!! Im not kidding, I think it was Ralph Nader that sounded the alarm. Check for yourself . I just didn't think you should c0ntinue without the warning !
Ralph Nader did write a book, "Unsafe at Any Speed", that used the Corvair as an example for safety reform. His allegations were about dangerous handling qualities though, not fire hazards as far as I know. Later the NTSB published a report refuting Nader's claims about the Corvair.
I believe the fire hazard warning was for the Ford Pinto, (which I owned). The rap on the Corvair (which I owned as a teen), was its handling issues while turning at speed.
Hi I have started watching your channel I have 2 corvair's I am also working on but I am wondering about your Chrysler you have gone to get parts with what year is it? My first car was a 1967 new Yorker is yours? If so could you send pic. of it Thanks Norm
That is a 1967 Chrysler Crown Imperial four door hardtop in haze green metallic. I have owned it since 1993. It has factory air and “AutoPilot” cruise control. I’ve had the engine and transmission rebuilt and the AC repaired. Otherwise it is pretty much an untouched “survivor” with the original paint, vinyl top, and interior. Send me an email at lostwrenchgarage@gmail.com and I’ll send you back some pictures. At some point I hope to do a video tour of it for the channel - just been too busy with the Corvair!
Often mistaken for a Lincoln, that is a 1967 Chrysler Imperial. Honest mistake, it was designed by Elwood Engle, same guy who designed the classic ‘61 Continental.
Dude it just go's to show ya how reliable the corvair is. Go ahead and stick a 2023 car or truck, any make, in a garage for 48 yrs and try to drive it. Hope your insured!
Yup, it's a lot of fun watching you and your Spyder, my first car when I was 16 was a mate to yours, although mine was a rust bucket in 1969, I did get it running and it did keep me off the streets for a some time.... I still am tinkering with cars...www.youtube.com/@LorneKelly
@@lostwrenchgarage Most of the old stuff I have, the rubber lines on the brake system collapse and plug up, I imagine you will be changing all the lines anyway...
My order, from highest quantity to least, goes tools >>>> knowledge > experience, with a large gap between tools and knowledge lol. Sorry for delay, my day job gets very busy in the summer. Engine disassembly video is nearly complete, look for it soon!
