CHEVROLET CORVAIR 1960 1.G Owner's Manual

TIRE CARE
Your new Chevrolet Corvair is designed to operate
most efficiently with the inflation pressure shown in the
following table. Nothing will be gained by exceeding
pressure shown, whereas, excessive pressures can ad­
versely affect riding comfort and quietness. Under infla­
tion affects vehicle handling and tire life. Over-steer
problems may also be encountered with incorrect pres­
sures. Maintain the recommended inflation pressures at
all times.
All four wheels of your Corvair have been static-balanced for best performance and tire life. Wheels should be rebal­anced after tire service or replacement.
FRONT AND REAR PRESSURE DIFFERENCE IS IMPORTANT
TO VEHICLE HANDLING.
18
Inspection and Repair
Inspect every 1000 miles for puncturing objects in
the tires. If any are found, do not attempt removal until
you are in a position to change the tire or have it
repaired. Also, check regularly that the wheel rim has
sustained
no damage which could affect the air seal.
Jacking the Car
The scissors type jack, its adapter and ratchet han­
dle are stowed under the spare tire. One end of the
ad~pter is a wrench which fits over the wheel nuts and
the hex connection on the jack. The other end fits into
the non-adjustable ratchet wrench. One side of the wrench
faces the car for raising the car or tightening the wheel
nuts. Turn the wrench over so that the opposite side faces
ADAPTER
JACK
WRENCH SPARE TIRE AND JACK STOWAGE

the car for lowering the car or removing the wheel nuts.
When jacking the car, set the hand brake, block diagonal
wheel, and, if changing wheels, remove the hub cap and
loosen wheel nuts. Place the jack under the side of the
car located as shown.
Spare Tire
The tire is mounted in the luggage compartment.
Switching Tires
Switching tires every 5000 miles as shown will pro­
mote more even tire wear and longer tire life. After
switch ing tires readjust tire pressure to correspond to
table on page 18.
CAUTION: Never attempt to raise the Corvair by
placing any kind of jack under the bumper.
FRONT
JACKING CAR SWITCHING TIRES 19
CHASSIS LUBRICATION
------
.-
Your Corvair deserves the best care you can give it.
Regular maintenance will guarantee you more, depend­
able, trouble free miles of enjoyable driving. The
following pages are devoted to maintenance and lubri­
cation items which should be performed at regular inter­
vals
. Each item is numbered to correspond to the items
shown on the Lubrication Diagram on page 26. The
Lubrication and Maintenance Guide on pages 24 and
25 provides an easy way of checking on necessary
maintenance at any given mileage or seasonal interval.

1. CRANKCASE LUBRICATION
First 500 miles (if temperature has been over 60° F.I
Change as per table, on page 16.
First 1000 miles (if-temperature has been below
60°F.1
Change as per table on page 16.
Every 4000 miles thereafte.r during favorab·le driving
conditions (over 10 miles per trip).
Change as per table on page 16.
During adverse driving conditions or short trip driving
(less
than 10 miles per trip).
Winter-Change every month.
Summer-Change every two months.
2. OIL FILTER
Change the filter element after the first 5000 miles
of operation, and every 4000 miles thereafter.
NOT~: When changing the filter element, be care­
ful not to drip oil on the engine fan belt.
3. FRONT SUSPENSION
Every 1000 miles-lubricate 4 fittings shown above
with chassis lube.
20
4. STEERING LINKAGE
Every 1000 miles-lubricate 4 fittings shown above
with chassis lube.
5. CLUTCH CROSS SHAFT LEVER
Every 1000 miles-lubricate fitting shown above,
located below the right side of the rear suspen­
sion cross member, with chassis lube.
6. STEERING GEAR
Every 1000 miles-Check fluid level. If necessary,
add steering gear lubricant to maintain at level
of filler plug hole.
7. GENERATOR
Every 1000 miles-Fill both oilers with light engine
oil. Do not over oil the oiler nearest fan belt.

8. DISTRIBUTOR
Every 1000 miles-Fill hinged cap oiler with light
engine. oil.
Every 5000 miles-Apply small drop of light engine
oil to breaker lever pivot.
9. AIR CLEANER
Every 2000 miles-Clean .and re-oil filter element.
Under severe dust conditions, it may be neces­
sary to clean and re-oil the element more often.
To clean: remove element from screen, wash in
kerosene
or mineral spirits to remove oil and dirt.
Squeeze dry, dip in engine oil and squeeze to
remove excess oiL (Never shake or wring-always
squeeze.)
Replace screen assembly and reinstall in Air
Cleaner.
NOTE: A clean air cleaner element is essential to
satisfactory gas mileage. -
21
10. ENGINE OIL COOLER
Every 5000 miles-Remove cover and brush or blow
out accumulated dirt.
NOTE: Material usually found in the oil cooler
consists primarily
of twigs, straw, chaff, and
leaves. Check the cooler more often if you
drive
in areas where such material is more
likely to enter engine compartment.
GENERATOR
11. FRONT WHEEL BEARING
Every 10,000 miles-Clean and repack bearings with
a high melting point lubricant. Replace grease
seals at the same time.
12. UNIVERSAL JOINTS
Every 25,000 miles-(More often under dusty or
other adverse driving conditions} clean and
repack with a high melting point lubricant.

13. TRANSMISSION
3-Speed (Transmission and Rear Axle)
First 1'000 miles-Drain and refill with lubricant spe­
cified
below.
Every 1000 miles-Check at operating temperature
and keep lubricant at level of the filler plug.
Add SAE-80 multipurpose gear lubricant (G. M.
Part No. 3772661) as required.
Powerglide (Transmission only)
Every 1000 miles-Check fluid level on dipstick with
engine idling, selector lever in NEUTRAL posi­
tion,
parking brake set and transmission at
operating temperature. Add Automatic Trans­
mission
Fluid Type "A" with an AQ-ATF-A num­
ber to full mark on dipstick . Check with engine
idling. DO NOT OVERFILL. Correct oil level must
be established by dipstick measurement.
NOTE: From the "Add Oil" mark to the "Full"
mark
on the dipstick indicates a difference of
only 1 pint of fluid.
22
14. REAR AXLE
First 1000 miles-Drain rear axle and refill with
lubricant specified
below.
Every 1000 miles-Check rear axle at operating tem­
perature and keep lubricant at level of filler
plug.
Every 10,000 miles or seasonally-Drain rear axle
and refill with lubricant specified below.
With Powerglide Transmission
Add G. M. No. 3772661 (SAE-80 Multipurpose Gear
Lubricant) or equivalent to rear axle as required.
With 3-Speed Transmission
Add G. M. Part No. 3772661 (SAE-80 Multipurpose
Gear Lubricant) or equivalent to rear axle as
required.
NOTE: if rear axle requires additional lubricant,
be sure that 3-speed transmission is also checked.
Low lubricant in the axle indicates that the trans­
mission
may also be low .
15. BATTERY
Every 1000 miles-Check fluid level. Keep filled with
distilled
water to level of the split ring in the
vent tube. Oil battery terminal washer with engine
oil. Clean top of battery regularly with diluted

ammonia or soda solution and flush with clear
water. Check state of charge regularly, espe­
cially in freezing weather, for an undercharged
battery may freeze and break.
16. FUEL FILTER
Every 15,000 miles-Replace filters, located in each
carburetor inlet. If flooding occurs, replace more
often.
17. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
Check frequently and maintain fluid level at mark
inside reservoir below filler opening, using G. M.
Hydraulic Brake Fluid, Super No. 11. If addition
of fluid is required more often than ·every 1000
miles the entire system should be checked for
leaks.
18. PARKING BRAKE & CLUTCH PULLEYS
AND CABLES
Every 10,000 miles-Lubric.ate pulleys under dash.
Remove the
tunnel cover under vehicle and lubri­
cate pulleys and cable bearing points with lub­
riplate. lubricate gearshift lever ball and socket
and shift rod universal joint at transmission con­
nection with lubriplate.
BODY LUBRICATION POINTS
Most body lube points do not need frequent, heavy
23
lubrication as does the chassis. However, periodic checks
of certain points on the Corvair body, and lubrication
when needed will eliminate annoying squeaks and
noises . Be careful not to over-lubricate. Wipe off all
surplus lubricant.
The following items should be lubricated periodically:
1. DQQr Hinges-Wipe off dirt and apply Lubriplate.
2 . Door Lock
Striker-Wipe off dirt and apply stick type lu­bricant.
3. Door Bottom Drain Hole Sealing Strip-Apply silicone rub-
ber lubricant.
4. Door Jamb Switch-Apply Lubriplate.
5 .
Rear Door Weatherstrip-Apply silicone rubber, lubricant.
6 . Front
and Rear Compartment Lid Lock-Apply Lubriplate.
7. Front Compartment Lid Torque Rods-Apply dripless oil to bearing points.
8. Gas Tank Filler Door Hinge-Apply dripless oil. 9. Glove Box Door Hinge-Apply dripless oil. 10. Rear Folding Seat Back Support Link Assembly & Filler Panel Hinge-Apply dripless Qil to bearing points.
The following items moy be lubricated whenever
access to the item is availoble:
11. Door Outsi.de Handle Lock Cylinder Shaft-Apply Lubri-
plate. 12. Door Window Regulator and Cams-Apply Lubriplate .
13. Door Lock Parts-Apply Lubriplate . 14. Door Locking Mechanism-Apply Lubriplate .
15. Front and Rear Compartment Hinges-Apply Lubriplate.

*Add only G. M. Hydraulic Brake Fluid Super No. 11. +Never use any windshield solvent or anti-freeze containing Methanol. tService every 1000 miles during extremely dusty operation
24

**Change Oil Filter Element after first 5000 miles and every 4000 miles thereafter. t Or Seasonally.
25

3
o EVERY 1000 MitES
o EVERY 2000 MILES
o EVERY 4000 MILES
o EVERY 5000 MILES
11 18
o EVERY 10000 MILES
~ EVERY 15000 MILES
o EVERY 25000 MILES
5
(0
AUTOMATIC 13
ae L 3.SPEED-.J 13
Gl -Multi-purpose or Universal Gear Lubricant*
BB -Delco 8011 8earing and Cam lubricant
W8
-Wheel Bearing lubricant Cl -Chassis Lubricant
26
~18
B
9
EO -Engine Oil AT -Automatic Transmission Fluid (Type A)
Sl -Steering Gear lubricant LP -lubriplate
BF -GM Hydrauli ,c Brake Fluid, Super No. 11

Your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer carries a com­
plete stock of Chevrolet Service Accessories, especially
developed for use in keeping your Corvair, or any
Chevrolet, looking and feeling like new for years to come.
Many of these accessories are available for "do-it­
yourself" work on your Corvair, or, if you desire, your
Chevrolet Dealer has many cleaning and polishing serv­
ices
to offer.
EXTERIOR CAR CARE
All cleaners, polishes and tor removers in the fol­
lowing list have been especially compounded for use on
Chevrolet Magic Mirror Acrylic Finishes.
*
lustur Seal
* Porcelainize
Triple
Action Polish
Liquid Gloze
Tor and Road Oil Remover
Chrome
Polish
Chrome Gard
White Wall Tire Cleaner
Angora Washing Mitt
Polishing Cloth
Touch -up Paint in
Chevrolet Colors
* Undercoating
*-Dealer Applied.
27
SERVICE ACCESSORIES
INTERIOR CAR CARE
Use the following accessories to keep the interior of
the car in new cor condition.
Kar-K)een
Cleaner
Spot Remover
leather Cleaner
MISCELLAN EOUS
Designed to assure proper operation of various
components
of your Corvair, the following accessories
will help to rid your car of all annoying squeaks and
rattles.
No. 988299 Windshield Washer Anti-freeze and
Solvent
Door Ease Stick lubricant
Spray-a-squeak Silicone Lubricant
Lock Ease Lubricant
Ruglyde Rubber Lubricant
and Cleaner
Seal zit Gloss Cleaner
Penetrating Oil, Dripless
Lubriplate