engine CHEVROLET CORVAIR 1960 1.G Owners Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
BREAKING-IN PERIOD
Sound design and precision manufacturing methods
will permit you to operate your new Corvair in a normal
manner from its very first mile 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 M.P.H., but
do not drive for extended periods at anyone constant
speed, either fast or slow. During this period, avoid full
throttle "jack-rabbit" starts and quick, abrupt stops.
Gentle braking during the first few hundred miles of
operation will result in longer brake life and better
future performance. Avoid hard stops especially 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.
2
STARTING THE ENGINE
LOCK OFF ON START
IGNITION SWITCH
START-Used only when starting engine. When released,
switch returns to ON.
ON-For normal operation after engine has been
started.
OFF-Turns off engine and accessories.
LOCK-Same as "OFF" except that switch cannot be
moved into or out of this position without ignition
key. Always switch to LOCK when leaving your car
unattended.

STARTING
1. POWERGLIDE-Place control lever in N position. The
engine will not start in any other position.
THREE-SPEED-Place gearshift control lever in Neu­
tral.
2. INITIAL START -Depress accelerator to floor and
release. This presets the automatic choke.
ENGINE WARM-Hold accelerator pedal about half
open.
3. Turn ignition switch to START and release as soon
as
engine starts.
4.
"FLOODED" ENGINE-Depress accelerator to floor
and hold while cranking engine. Never "pump"
accelerator.
3 WARM-UP
Never race the engine or drive at high speeds until
the engine has had a chance to warm up. Always let
the engine idle for a minute or two after starting and
drive at moderate speeds for several
miles, especially in
cold weather. Failure to allow sufficient warm-up time
causes much unnecessary wear to the engine. Also,
excessive speeds before axle and transmission lubricant
becomes warmed up can cause harm to these parts.
DRIVING FOR ECONOMY
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
time, do not make "jack rabbit" starts or skidding stops,
and drive at reasonable speeds and as steady as traffic
permits to gain the benefits of all the economy built into
yourCorvair.

After starting engine with the lever in "N" (NEU­
TRAL) position, merely select the range desired and
depress the accelerator. The Powerglide transmission
will do the rest. The
Powerglide may be automatically
shifted into
LOW range for extra acceleration at speeds below 45
MPH by "stepping down" hard on the accelerator pedal.
OPERATING YOUR POWERGLIDE
POSITION OPERATION USES
R-REVERSE For Backing Car (From Stopped Position)
N-NEUTRAL For Starting Engine (Brakes Applied) NORMAL DRIVING D-DRIVE For all Forward Driving. Step hard on RANGE accelerator for extra acceleration below 45 MPH.
L-LOW For Hard Pulling at Low Speeds, Climb-SAND, SNOW, ing, or Descending Steep Grades and for MUD OR ON additional engine braking below 40 MPH. STEEP GRADES
5

POWERGlIDE
PUSHING TO START
• Turn on key and move selector lever to Neutral. At
20 to 25 MPH move lever to "L."
• When engine starts, move selector lever to "D."
NOTE: Never tow to start.
TOWING
• Place selector lever in Neutral.
• If transmission or axle are malfunctioning, tow with
rear wheels raised.
• Never tow faster than 30 MPH.
ROCKING CAR
When stuck in mud, sand or snow, you may rock
the car forward and back by depressing the accelerator
slightly and shifting the selector lever between" R" and
"D." Avoid excessive engine speed while performing
this operation.
~ -'.
6
SPEEDOMETER
Shows speed in miles per hour. The odometer below
the speedometer registers accumulated mileage.
FUEL GAUGE
This gauge indicates fuel quantity in the tank only
when the ignition switch is in the "ON" p')sition. When
the ignition is "OFF," the indicator pointer will not
necessarily return to the EMPTY mark, but may stop at
any point on the gauge.
"TEMP-PRESS" AND "GEN-FAN" INDICATORS
These indicators are extremely important since they
provide a constant check on the operating condition of
the air cooled engine and the generator of your Corvair.
Both
indicator lights should light with the ignition switch
"ON" and before starting the engine. Indicator lights
will go out shortly after engine is, started and during
normal operation of the car. Flickering of the "Gen-Fan"
light while engine is idling is a normal condition.
Engine cooling depends on operation of the fan
driven by the Gen-Fan belt. A broken or slipping fan
belt will cause the Gen-Fan indicator to remain lighted
during normal operation and continued engine opera­
tion can result in serious damage.

LIGHT SWITCH
LEFT TURN
INDICATOR BRIGHT BEAM INDICATOR RIGHT
TURN
INDICATOR
INSTRUMENTS
RADIO SPEAKER GLOVE BOX
LOCK
~~"-fHIf--RADIO
~~~~~~~&J CONTROLS
U:a~II---HEATER CONTROLS
INDICATOR REMAIN­ING LlGHT~D DURING NORMAL OPERATION
TEMP-PRESS Indicator
PROBABLE CAUSE
Low Oil Pressure
Excessive Engi ne Oil Tem p.
GEN-FAN Indicator Generator Not Charging
Fan Not Operating
IMPORTANT:
ITEMS TO BE CHECKED
Engine Oil Level
Oil Level and Fan Belt
Generator
Fan Belt
If either of the indicators light during normal operation, STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY and turn off ignition. Check for a broken or slipping fan belt or low engine oil level. NEVER DRIVE CAR UNTIL BROKEN FAN BELT IS
REPLACED. Never drive car when "Temp-Press" indicator i s lighted. Car can be driven at slow speeds if only "Gen­Fan" indicator is I ighted and fan belt is not broken, however, generator must be checked and serviced as soon as possi ble.
7

LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
The front luggage compartment has a capacity of
more than 10 cu. ft. with the spare tire in place.
• To open the luggage compartment, insert the ignition
key and, holding the lid down to relieve the tension on
the
lock, turn fully clockwise and allow the counter­
bdlanced lid to open.
• To close, slam the lid firmly.
A second luggage space is located behind the rear
seat, for parcels or luggage which would otherwise take
up seat or floor space.
13
GAS CAP
The gas cap is concealed beneath the spring loaded
door on the left front fender.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
• To open: Push up the release while lifting the lid. Lift
the
lid .all the way up, then release.
• To close: Lift up on lid, unlock the support arm catch
lock, then lower the lid carefully. Slam firmly to assure
that the lid lock mechanism is engaged.
For proper engine cooling keep the engine compart­
ment lid vents free of ice, snow or leaves.

AINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
16
OCTANE REQUIREMENTS
The Corvair six-cylinder engine is designed to deliver
peak performance on what is designated as Regular
grade fuel in the continental United States and Canada.
Regular gasoline may, however, vary in octane between
manufacturers or between different sections of the
country. If unfavorable performance is encountered be­
cause of either or both of the above factors, any Author­
ized Chevrolet Dealer can make ignition adjustments
which
will restore your car to normal operation.
Before taking your car to foreign countries (except
Canadal, where fuel available generally does not meas-

ure up to U. S. standards, it is desirable to' obtain
detailed information as to availability of fuels in a given
area and service and adjustments n~cessary to adapt
your car to the fuels available. Such information may be
obtained by writing:
General Motors Overseas Operations
Service Department, Room 9-164
General Motors Building
Detroit 2, Michigan
Include with your request the area to which you
plan to take your car and the vehicle type and serial
number.
COOLING SYSTEM CARE
The Corvair engine, being an air cooled engine, is
entirely dependent on the fan belt and blower to supply
sufficient volume of air for cooling purposes. The engine
fan belt should be checked for tightness at regular
intervals and replaced when necessary. Watch the
"Temp-Press" and "Gen-Fan" indicator lights on the
instrument panel for signs of engine overheating.
OIiIOJl~ll!I[olrolin! ...... ~'-~ ............ ,'.,./ .. / ... A/

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.