ESP CHEVROLET CORVAIR 1965 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Sound design and precIsion manufacturing methods
will permit you to operate your new Corvair without
adhering to a formal "break-in" schedule. However,
during the first few hundred miles of driving you can,
by observing a few simple precautions, add to the future
performance and economy of your car.
It is recommended that your speed during the first
500 miles be confined to a maximum of 60 MPH, but
do not drive for extended periods at anyone constant
speed, either fast or slow. During this period, avoid full
Proper maintenance and wise operation will com­
bine to help you achieve maximum fuel economy with
your Corvair. Your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer can
properly tune and maintain your car but wise operation
is your responsibility. Give the car sufficient warm-up
throttle starts and unnecessary, quick abrupt stops.
Gentle braking during the first few hundred miles of
operation will result in longer brake life and better
future performance. Avoid unnecessary, hard stops espe­
cially during the first 200 miles of operation since brake
misuse during this period will destroy much future brake
efficiency.
Always drive at a moderate speed until the engine
has completely warmed up.
time, do not make "Full Throttle" starts or unnecessary
skidding stops, and drive at reasonable speeds and as
steady as traffic permits to gain the benefits of all the
economy built into your Corvair.
CAUTION: Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by the engine of any car. It is odor­
less,
so you cannot detect its presence. Be safe. Never start or run engine in a closed garage,
and do not sit in a parked car with engine running unless windows are open.
2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine WARM-UP
Never race engine or drive at high speeds until
engine has had a chance to warm up. Driving with
moderate accelerator pedal application will prevent
stalling and hesitation, especially during cold weather.
Failure to allow sufficient warm up time can cause un­
necessary wear to engine, axle or transmission parts
because of inadequate lubrication.
The three-speed and optional four-speed trans­
missions
are operated in basically the same manner. Shift
patterns differ, of course, as illustrated in the two
illustrations on
page 5.
1 st GEAR (LOW)-Depress clutch pedal, shift into 1 st
gear, slowly release clutch pedal while pressing on
accelerator. As car gains speed, depress clutch pedal,
release accelerator and move gearshift into 2nd gear.
2nd GEAR-Release clutch pedal and depress accelerator
<is above as car gains speed, then, in same manner as
before, move
gearshift lever into 3rd gear.
3rd GEAR (HIGH)-Slowly release clutch pedal and de­
press accelerator pedal. This is the cruising gear for
all normal driving with the 3-speed transmission.
With the
4-speed transmission 3rd gear will provide
more response
and higher performance for driving
in heavy traffic.
4th
GEAR (HIGH-4-speed transmission only)
Shift into 4th gear in the same manner for normal
cruising with the 4-speed transmission.
NOTE: Whenever the vehicle begins to labor in
any gear, depress the clutch pedal and shift to
the next lower gear.
;. TO STOP-Release the accelerator and depress the
brake pedal. As car slows down, depress the clutch
pedal and move the gearshift lever into neutral.
NEUTRAL-For use when starting or idling engine.
REVERSE-Operate as for 1 st gear but always at a
slow speed.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TOWING
• Place selector lever in neutral.
• If transmission or axle are malfunctioning, tow with
rear wheels raised.
• When towing any vehicle on its front wheels, the
steering wheel should be secured to maintain a
straight forward position .
• Never tow faster than 50 mph.
ROCKING CAR
When stuck in mud, sand or snow, you may rock
the car by depressing the accelerator slightly and shift­
ing the selector lever between Rand D. Avoid excessive
engine speed while performing this operation.
PARKING CAR
It is important that when your Corvair is parked the
parking brake be fully engaged. Do not count on the
transmission to hold the car. Always engage the parking
brake when parked.
POWERGLIDE DRIVING CAUTIONS
• Always engage parking brake when parked.
• Do not accelerate engine in L, 0, or R with
the brakes engaged. This can cause damage
by overheating transmission.
• Do not hold car on an upgrade by accelerat­
ing engine. Use brakes.
• Use low position for hard pulls at low
speed, climbing or descending steep grades
and for push starting.
• Always stop car before shifting to reverse.
DRIVING WITH POSITRACTION REAR AXLE
The Positraction rear axle gives you constant driv­
ing force on both r~ar wheels; especially helpful in the
winter and during other slippery driving conditions.
In normal use, light throttle application will supply
7
maximum traction. When starting with one rear wheel
on an excessively slippery surface, slight application of
the parking brake may be necessary to gain maximum
traction.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
GASOLINE AND ENGINE OIL
In the selection of gasoline and engine oil to be
used, it is best to consider the reputation of the refiner
or marketer. This is the best means of obtaining gasoline
and oil of high quality.
Gasoline
The Corvair Turbo-Air 95 horsepower engine is
designed to operate efficiently on regular grade gas­
olines commonly sold in the United States and Canada.
The
higher horsepower performance engines are
designed to operate efficiently on premium grade gas­
olines commonly sold in the United States and Canada.
Use of regular grade gasolines in these higher per­
formance engines may result ,in excessive knocking.
Since the octane quality of all regular grade or of
all premium grade gasolines is not the same and factors
such as altitude, terrain and air temperqture affect oper­
ating efficiency, excessive' knocking may result, even
though you are using the grade of gasoline recom­
mended for your engine. If excessive knocking occurs in
your engine, it may be necessary to use the next higher
grade of gasoline, and if knocking continues, consult
your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
If you plan to operate your Corvair outside the
continental limits of the United States or Canada, there
is a possibility that the best fuels available are so low
32
in octane quality that excessive knocking and serious
engine trouble may result from their use. To minimize this
possibility, write to Chevrolet Motor Division, General
Motors Corporation, Service Operations Department,
Detroit, Michigan 48202 giving: Your engine serial num­
ber (see page 44), the compression ratio of your engine
(see page 44) and the country or countries in which you
plan to travel. You will be furnished details of adjust­
ments or modifications which should be made to your
engine by your Chevrolet dealer prior to your departure.
After arriving in a foreign country, contact the nearest
authorized General Motors dealer for brand names of
the best fuels available and advice as to where they
may be purchased.
In all cases excessive knocking should be avoided
as much as possible in order to prevent possible engine
damage. Operation of your car under conditions of con­
tinuous or excessive knocking constitutes misuse of the
engine for which the Chevrolet Division is not responsible
under the terms of the manufacturer's New Vehicle
Warranty.
ENGINE LUBRICATION
The use of a high quality oil of the correct viscosity
is your best assurance of continued reliability and per­
formancefrom your engine. It is recommended that
/ /

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TIRE CARE
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pres­
sures.
Over-inflation can adversely affect riding comfort,
quietness and tire life while under-inflation affects vehicle
handling and tire life.
RECOMMENDED TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES (Based on Original Equipment Tires)
CORVAIR (6.50-134 PR Tires) Cold-Hot**
Average Owner Service up to 5-Front Rear Front Rear
passenger load (normal i nfla-tion) Air conditioned models and convertibles 15 28 18 33 All other models 15 26 18 31 Continuous Service with up to fu II load ca pacity or h ig h speeds (maximu m inflation) 19 30 22 35
NOTE: As shown in the above table, Corvair rear tire pressures should be maintained at least 11 psi higher than front tire pressures;
CORVAIR .95
7.00 x 14"4 ply S.P. 24 30 28 35 7.00 x 14-6 ply S.P. 24
34 28 39 7.00 x 14-6 ply I Light Truck 24
45 28 50
7 .00 x 14 -8 ply I Type 24 60 28 65
Spare Tire...,.lnflate to proper Rear (Cold) pressure. Deflate to correct pressure when using as front tire. -After car has been parked for 3 hours or more or driven less than one mile. --Pressures can riseas much as 7 pounds above cold figures depending on loads carried, length of driving, and car speed prior to check.
, Fron t tire loads increase appreciably with cargo
lci'ading; therefore the above is recommended for best
steering characteristics.
34
Full load capacity of the vehicle is 1 OOOlbs. total.
Consisting of 3 passengers in front seat, 3 passengers
in
rear seat and 100 Ibs . luggage.
Manufacturer's original equipment 4-plyrating tires
are designed and thoroughly tested to meet all normal
requirements of your vehicle as outlined above.
For continuous full load service or heavy duty oper­
ation, eight ply rated tire options are recommended at
the above recommended tire pressures.
Switching Tires
When rear tires are replaced, put new tires on front
and used on rear and reset to recommended tire
pressures. ,
FOR MAXIMUM TIRE LIFE
• Ke.ep tires properly inflated.
• Check regularly for cuts, bruises and puncturing ob­
jects. Nails etc. will often be carried in the tire with
no noticeable loss of air. Do not remove a puncturing
object until prepared to change or repair the tire.
• Avoid unnecessary sudden starts and stops; take curves
and corners slowly.
•
Avoid driving over curves, sharp objects or chuckholes.
•
Have wheel alignment checked periodically, especially
when tires show unusual wear.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine REAR AXLE
Check lubricant level, with 'axle at operating tempera­
ture, at the dipstick whenever engine oil is checked.
The dipstick is used to check lubricant level only;
do not attempt to fill axle at the dipstick tube.
,f lubricant level is at or below ADD mark on dip­
stick,
fill to level of the filler plug hole with SAE 80
Multi-purpose Gear Lubricant meeting the require­
ments
of U.S. Ordnance Spec. MIL-L-2105B.
Check 3-or
4-speed lubricant level, if the rear axle
lubricant level is low.
42
BATTERY
Every 6000 miles-Clean and
oil battery terminals and
oil felt washer. Clean
top
of battery with di­
luted
ammonia or soda
solution and flush with
clean
water. Check state
of charge especially in
freezing weather. An un­
dercharged battery may
freeze and break.
FUEL FILTER
Greenbrier Ballery and Transmission Oil Cooler Access Door
Corvair, Corsa and Greenbrier
Replace filters, located in each carburetor inlet, only
if flooding occurs.
Corsa Turbocharged
The fuel filter is a separate unit mounted on the air
cleaner support bracket at the left of the air cleaner. It
should be replaced at 12,000 mile intervals. At the
same interval, also clean the screen located in the car­
buretor inlet.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Corvair passenger cars are designed primarily for
passenger conveyance. However, it is well known that
many owners do use the Corvair to pull trailers, and
when available trailer hauling options have been used,
the owners
have experienced very satisfactory service.
When a trailer is attached to a car, the car becomes
not only a load-carrying vehicle, but a load-pulling
vehicle. The demands of this type of operation are very
different from those for which the automobile is pri­
marily designed and may present problems, such as
spring
and tire loading, braking, cooling, lighting, and
steering. However, careful driving practices and the use
of factory-recommended options will better satisfy the
requirements
of trailer hauling.
If in the opinion of the manufacturer a part or com­
ponent of a motor vehicle has been adversely affected
46
by misuse of the vehicle with trailer loads, such part or
component will not be covered by the manufacturer's
warranty.
The size of and equipment for trailers, including
such items as hitches and safety chains, brakes, lights,
power-weight ratios and over-all length, are generally
subject to safety regulations in all states, and it is the
responsibility of the user to make certain that he is in
full
compliance with the regulations of the states in
which he plans to operate with a trailer of the Interstate
Commerce Commission,
if applicable, before doing so.
Further, when
operating a car with a trailer attached,
the driver must realize that the performance, steering
characteristics,
and braking distance of his car have
been altered, and that he must exercise greater caution
to safely handle his car and trailer.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine MINOR TROUBLE SHOOTING PROCEDURES
The chart on the previous page, and the information on the pages
which follow, contains information designed to aid the average
driver to discover, and possibly correct, conditions resulting in minor
mechanical difficulties
in his cor. The chart, designed to point out
possible solutions to severol of the most common automotive mal­
functions and point out a logical checking sequence, will lead step
by step to the most
likely causes and corrective procedures. If, after
making the checks and adjustments suggested, the source of the
trouble has not been found and corrected, it is strongly recom.
mended that on Authorized Chevrolet Dealer inspect the vehicle and
make whatever repairs or adjustments are necessary.
FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE
If the ignition switch will couse the engine to "turn over" or
"cronk" but the cor will not start, check Steps A through D below.
NOTE: If continual "flooding" of the carburetor is evidenced by a
carburetor wet with fuel or black exhaust smoke, perform the
operation suggested in paragraph D only.
(A) The first and most obvious,
and one of the most frequently overlooked, items to check when
you
have difficulty in starting your
cor is the amount of fuel in the
tonk.
Make it a habit to check the
FUEL GAUGE regularly and most especially at a time when the en­
gine will "turn over" but will not
start.
(8) If the fuel tank is not empty, Checking Fuel Flow
48
you may check further to see whether the fuel is reaching the
engine. Disconnect the fuel lines at the carburetor. Place a jar or CliP
under open line and briefly "crank" the engine by means of the
starter. If fuel spurts from the line, you may assume that the FUEL
LINES are dear and the FUEL PUMP is operating properly. If no fuel
leaves the line, either the fuel lines or fuel pump are at fault. See
your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
(C) Before reconnecting the fuel lines to the carburetor, remove
the
FUEL FILTER from carburetor inlet and check its condition.
If it appears to be clean, replace it.and reconnect the fuel lines. If
the filter appears to be plugged, clean it as well as possible by
scraping out the foreign material and cleaning in a solvent. Then
r~install the filter and repeat the procedure with the second carbu­
r~ior. Replace the filters with new ones as soon as possible .
(0) If the fuel seems to be reaching the carburetors properly, the
problem may
be: an EMPTY CARBURETOR BOWL caused by a
"stuck shut" float valve or a FLOODED CARBURETOR caused by a
"stuck open" condition and evidenced by gasoline flowing down
the outside of the carburetor; or a stuck CHOKE valve. Remove the
air cleaners from the carburetors. Check that the choke valves move
freely and are not stuck. Tap the side of the carburetors sharply
several times with a light tool such as a screwdriver handle or pliers.
Replace the air cleaners and attempt to start the engine in the
normal manner.
(E) If the car will start but stalls when hot or has a rough idle,
you can suspect a faulty IDLE ADJUSTMENT, or extremely dirty

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine and blocked AIR CLEANER ELEMENTS. Clean and reoil the air
cleaner elements if necessary. Idle adjustment should be performed
by your Chevrolet Dealer.
If the above Fuel System checks and the checks suggested under
the Electrical System following do not correct the malfunction, it is
recommended that you turn to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer
for further checks , adjustments or repairs.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
If, when the ignition key is turned to START, the engine will not
turn
over, you have good reason to suspect electrical trouble.
(F) When there .is no response at all to attempts to start the car,
check the obvious-your AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SElECTOR
LEVER must be in neutral position before the engine can be started.
Turning the IGNITION SWITCH rapidly back and forth several
times will sometimes correct a poor internal switch contact.
(G) The
BATTERY may be discharged. If so, lights will be dim and
the horn will have a poor tone if it will blow at all.
Usually a
garage recharge will be necessary to return the battery
to operation. Occasionally, however , a push start and a long drive
will
recharge the battery.
NOTE : If the battery is determined to be dead, and for no apparent
reason , have your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer check the
battery, the GENERATOR and the VOLTAGE REGULATOR .
GENERA TOR trouble should already have been indicated by
the indicator on the instrument panel. Never remove generator
"BAT" lead without first disconnecting battery ground cable.
49
POOR BATTERY CONNECTIONS may be suspected if the car has operated properly a short time before and now not even the horn
will operate. Check both ends of both battery cables. If the con­
nections are corroded, a car may sometimes be restored to opera­
tion by removing all cable ends, scraping all contacting surfaces clean with a pen knife , and reassembling . If the cables are broken, they must be replaced. The power supply should now be restored unless the battery is dead.
(H) If, however, the lights and horn work properly but the starter will still not turn over, check the STARTER connections. A "click" from the starter solenoid indicates that the wiring to the starter is properly installed . If the wiring seems to be clean and tightly in­stalled, the trouble is probably in the starter itself and should be referred to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
When the engine will "turn over" but will not start, the following
items may be checked along with Fuel System Checks listed
previously .
(I) With a clean dry cloth wipe the ceramic portions of the spark plugs dry. In particularly damp or rainy wellthe'r dampness may be the cause of not starting, especi-: . ally when the engine is cold.
(J) Check the cables at the top of the distributor and coil as well as each spark plug cable for tightness.
(K) If the car will still not start, check for spark at the spark plugs in the following manner:
Pull
one of the spark plug
wires off its spark plug. Insert a
short piece of bare wire (such as a bobby pin) between the rubber Oislribulor and Coil Leads

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CHEVROLET OWNER PROTECTION PLAN
The Chevrolet Motor Division considers it a most important obligation to offer
each
owner a recommended maintenance service guide which will relieve him
of any anxiety and insure that his vehicle is regularly inspected and maintained.
Your Chevrolet
dealer has presented you with.a Chevrolet Owner Protection
Plan Booklet. The Recommended Maintenance
and Lubrication Service items in
this booklet have been worked out by Chevrolet service personnel and cover
items which
are the owner's responsibility to have checked, inspected, adjusted
and lubricated at recommended time or mileage intervals.
If the services are carried out at the prescribed time or mileage intervals,
wear and owner expense will be kept to a minimum. Additiona .I services may
become necessary
as mileage accrues, however, the regular visit that you make
to your Chevrolet
dealer in following this Plan will point out desirable services
as they become necessary.
In the event warranty repair is required on your Corvair, the Chevrolet
Protect-O-Plate affixed to the back cover of your Protection Plan booklet
will
assist in identifying you and your Corvair to your Chevrolet dealer.