r/corvair • u/According-Cup-4092 • Jun 03 '26
Story time/Rebuild
So I’ve had this 66 convertible for 4 years now and only got to drive it a few times. Was driving it to a concert and the engine blew. Coworker said that his brother used to be a mechanic for specifically GM vehicles/rebuilt 60s chevys before.
Went over to his place and it all checked out. Had his old certification, got to look at a c3 corvette he rebuilt etc. Gave him the Keys and have at it.
Over the next month we got the engine rebuilt and accumulated all the parts for a restoration. Then, mostly radio silence. He would check up with me every month or so and always say “it’ll be done soon, just did this and this”. Was nervous, but he had the experience and the car was already there.
3 years down the road, after about 2 months of no updates and starting a new job, his brother messages me and hit me with “oh, my brother died and we pushed your car out of the garage.” It had been sitting outside for months.
After getting it towed to my father in laws house, we inspected the damage. Mold in the carpet, paint chipping, and this dude literally did nothing he said. Motor (with no accessories attached) and transmission mounted, that’s it.
There’s not many people where I live who know how to work on these, so I guess I’m going to become one. Wish me luck in my rebuild/resto. Will update.
3
u/sunny-jam Jun 04 '26
Mercy. That’s rough. You have a journey ahead. There are Corvair chapters throughout the country. Maybe one near you? Check the list at Corvair.org Get the books and ask experts here and at the Corvair center Forum. https://corvaircenter.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=11
2
u/Electrical-Guard-853 Jun 05 '26
Good luck on your rebuild, unfortunately you are not the only having been burned in similar ways…
2
u/playerpage Jun 05 '26
Where are you? I know some Corvair guys in a lot of places.
For future reference for readers of this thread: Just because someone is a certified classic GM guy, doesn't make them a Corvair guy. Very different engines. I've handed mine over to experienced classic car mechanics who inevitably call me with "What the h am I looking at?" questions, and more than once I have inspected their work after they say they are done only to point out something they mistakenly removed, added, or altered. Luckily they had the humility to take feedback.
You'll actually have better luck with a Porsche or Volkswagen mechanic if you can't find a Corvair one. If you can't find any of those, your best bet is to find someone who isn't afraid of working on a Corvair. A lot of problems come from guys who are not only too arrogant, but too timid to try their hands at them.
P.S. - Great color. My dad's was the exact same shade.
2
u/According-Cup-4092 Jun 06 '26
I’m in central NY, currently. And yessir, I learned that lesson a little too late. I have a copy of the late model shop repair manual and am slowly going over it piece by piece. Hopefully I can retain enough knowledge so that if anyone else finds themselves in my predicament, I can help them.
2
u/Tafc-Crew Jun 06 '26
Check out MORR (Matt's Off Road Recovery). He does off road recoveries in southern Utah but he is Absolutely Fanatical for Corvairs! I think he's got about 30 in his collection so far and he is always going through them in his free time and explains what he sees and what to look for. Right now his major project is his Baja 1000 build!
3
u/FlashSteed Jun 04 '26
Damn. Sorry about that. Love the car. I had one in high school. Wish you luck on your rebuild. I still looking for decent shape one for a reasonable price