ignition 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.

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

HEATER
Three control levers provide full control of the
optional Corvair gasoline heater.
FAN-this is the AIR-ON control and the blower control.
This lever must be pushed down before the unit will
operate.
DEF-diverts heated air to the defroster ducts for
defogging or deicing windows.
HEAT-Allows for selecting degree of heat desired.
Heater will begin to supply heat in a minimum of
30 seconds. For efficient heating and heat distribu­
tion, keep all windows closed.
NOTE: When heater or ignition switch is shut off,
the combustion blower will continue to operate
for 30 to 40 seconds to remove unburned fuel
and vapor from the system. This is normal for this
type of heater.
10
RADIO
The optional Corvair radio control knobs are shown
below. For best reception the antenna should be extended
to at least the height of the car roof. For long distance
reception, extend the antenna to its full length.
ON-OFF SWITCH AND VOLUME CONTROl TONE CONTROl
HEATER~---1!m~!d CONTROLS TUNING
KNOB

KEYS AND LOCKS
A single key operates all locks on your Corvair;
front doors, ignition, glove box and luggage compart­
ment. Doors
may be locked from the inside by pushing
forward on the opening handle.
Record the serial number of your keys and then
remove the
knockout plug to prevent duplication by
unauthorized persons.
11
GLOVE BOX
The glove box may be locked and unlocked with
the ignition key.
CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASH TRAY
Press in on the optional cigarette lighter to heat.
When ready for use, it will .. pop" out. The ash tray
cover slides toward the front of the car to open. The
ash
receptacle lifts out for cleaning.
AIR VENTS
Additional summer ventilation is provided through
vent inlets in each side of the front passenger compart­
ment. The vents may be opened or closed by means of
the control knobs beneath each end of the instrument
panel.
AIR INTAKE
INTO CAR

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-

SPECIFICATIONS
SERIAL AND UNIT NUMBERS
Serial Number . Stamped on plate attached to left center body pillar. Body Number .. Stamped on a plate attached to the left rear wheel well, within the engine compartment.
Engine Number. Stamped on the engine block behind and to
left of the fuel pump.
DIMENSIONS
Overall length ............................. 180.0 in.
Height
(loaded) .......... ................. 51.3 in.
Width
............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 66.4 in.
Wheelbase ...........•................... 108.0 in.
Turning
diameter ................. ............ 39 ft.
CAPACITIES
Gasoline Tank .........................•.... 11 gal.
Crankcase Refill ............................... 4 qt.
Add for Filter .......... , ... : ............... 1 pt.
Transmission
3-Speed .................................. 2 pt.
Powerglide
(Refill) ...... 4% to 8 pts . (depending on drain period) Differential .................. ............ 3 pt.
Air Cleaner ..................... . Polyurethane Element
Cooling System ...
.................. Air Cooled Engine
28
TIRE INFORMATION
Type .................................... Tubeless
Size .............................. 6.50 x 13-4 ply
Inflation COLD HOT
Front ............................ 15 18
Rear ......................•..... 26 30
Spare Tire-Inflate to 26 Ibs. Deflate to 15 Ibs. when using as front wheel.
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Horsepower .•..............................
Compression Ratio ........................... 8.0:1
Displacement ....... ....................• 140 cu. in.
Bore
................... ' ............ ' ....... 3.375
Stroke ...................................... 2.60
Firing Order .............. .............. 1-4-5-2-3-6
Spark Plugs .............•. AC-4.4FF (Gap: .033-.038")
Idle Speed
3-Speed .................. 450-500 RPM (in Neutral)
Powerglide
................ .. 475-500 RPM (In Drive)
Ignition Timing .......................... 40 B.T.D.C.
Axle Ratio
(Std.) ......... ................... 3.55:1
(Opl.) ............................ 3.89:1

BULB SPECIFICATIONS Candle Power
Headlamp Unit-Outer: High Beam. 37 V2 W
Low Beam. . 50 W
Inner: High Beam.
Parking
Lamp and Directional Signal
Tail and Stop and Turn Signal Lamps
Back -up Lamp .... ....... .... .
Instrument Lamps ............. .
Direction
Signal Indicator Lamp .. .
Temperature-Pressure Indicator
Lamp
Generator-Fan Indicator Lamp ....
Headlamp High Beam Indicator Lamp
Ignition Lock Lamp ............ .
Glove Compartment
Lamp .... .. .
Dome Lamp ............. .. .. .
Courtesy
Lamp . .............. .
License Plate Lamp ........... .
Radio Dial
Lamp ............. .
Heater Control
Panel Lamp ..... .
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKER
37%
4-32
4-32
32
3 2
2
2
1
1
2 15
6 4
2
1
Number
4002
(Sealed
Beam)
4001
(Sealed
Beam)
1034
1034 1073
GE 1816
53
57
57
53 53
57 211
89
67 1891
53
A
circuit breaker in the light control switch protects
the headlamp circuit, thus eliminating one fuse. Where
29
current load is too heavy, the circuit breaker rapidly
opens and closes, protecting the circuit until the cause
is found and eliminated.
Fuses,
located in the Junction Block beneath the
dash are:
1 . Heate r Blower
Glove Compartment
Lamp ........ 3AG/ AGC-l 0 amp.
2. Tail and Stop Lamps,
Direct ion Signals ................ 3AG/ AGC-l 0 amp ..
l. Heater (Total System)
Back-up Lamp . ........ ......... lAG/ AGC-20 amp .
4. Radio ..
......... ...... ........ lAG/ AGC-4 amp.
5. Instrument
Panel Lamps
Radio Panel Lamp
Heater Control Panel Lamp ... ...... 3AG/ AGC-3 amp.
FUSE BLOCK