Chevrolet 1960 Corvair User manual

file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Tim/Desktop/carburetor-manual-welcome/index.htm[4/25/2009 11:42:20 AM]
www.carburetor-manual.com
Would you like some Free Manuals?
http://carburetor-manual.com/free-shop-manual-club-t-13.html
Also visit http://freeshopmanual.com for more Free Manuals
Also Visit my website for 7 FREE Download Manuals starting
with this one.
"The ABC's of Carburetion"
Click Here Now

.... . -"
1960
OWNERS
GUIDE

to
Your 1960 Chevrolet Corvair is a completely new automobile, both in
concept and in design. It will fit into your plans as a second car, an only car,
an "errand" car, a "transportation" car or a car for vacation and travel. It
combines "small" car size and economy with "big" American car performance
and comfort. We at Chevrolet know you will enjoy owning and operating your
Corvair for years to come.
Your Chevrolet dealer is well trained and equipped to inspect and service
your Corvair and keep it ready to provide new car service and performance.
Have him inspect and service your car at regular intervals.
The
information and suggestions found in this own.er's manual can help you
enjoy to the fullest, all of the advantages and features built into your Corvair.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing
Chevrolet-and to assure you of our continuing interest in your motoring pleasure
and satisfaction.

Page
Operating Instructions 2
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6
Controls .
.. .. ... ... . '. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
Cleaning Hints
.. . ...... ... ...... . ....... . ........ . .... .. .... 14
Maintenance and lubrication . ... . ................. . .... . ...... 16
Service Accessories ... .. .... .. . . . .. .. . ..... . .......... ..... . . 29
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27
Index ... . ... . ... .. . .. . . ..... . . .. .. . .. . ...... .. ............ 30
Owner Protection Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 32
All inform!'tion contained in this booklet is bosed on the latest product information available at the
lime of printing. The ri ght ;s r ese r ved to make changes at any time without notice .
PART NO. 6257133 • SECOND EDITION

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.

1st GEAR (lOW}-Depress clutch pedal, shiff into 1st
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
as 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.
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 car.
REVERSE-Operate as for 1st Gear but always at a
slow
speed.
4
PUSHING TO START
• Turn on key and depress clutch pedal.
• Place gearshift lever in Neutral position until car
speed reaches 15 MPH.
• Move shift lever to 3rd position and slowly release
clutch pedal.

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
add i tional 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 po i nt 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 REMAIN-
ING 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 ign i tion . 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
is lighted . Car can be driven at slow speeds if only "Gen-
Fan" indicator is I ighted and fan belt is not broken, however,
generator must be checked and serviced as soon as possi ble.
7