Chevrolet Corvair 95 Series User manual

RAMPSIDE
GREENBRIER SPORTSWAGON
CORVAN
Whether you have one of the three sturdy delivery type Corvair 95 vehicles or the equally
sturdy "family size" Greenbrier Sportswagon, you are assured of the usual high degree of
Chevrolet excellence in design and manufacture. This booklet contains information and sug-
gestions designed
to allow you to more quickly and more fully enjoy the advantages and
features built into your Corvair.
Your Chevrolet Dealer is well trained and equipped to inspect and service your Corvair 95
and keep it ready to provide new car service and performance. Have him inspect and service
your car at regular intervals.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Chevrolet-and to assure
you of our continuing interest in your motoring pleasure and convenience.
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION • GENERAL
MOTORS CORPORATION
DETROIT 2, MICHIGAN

Page
Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 8
Controls
........ . .. .. ... . ........ .......... . ............... 10
Cleaning Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Maintenance and Lubrication .... ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Specifications .. . ........ . ... . ..... .. ..... .. ...... . ......... 38
Service Accessories ..... . . .... ... ........ .. .. .. ... . ... .. ..... 40
Minor Trouble Shooting Guide .. .. .. ... .. . ................ . . . . . 41
Trouble ShooHng Procedures . .... . . ...... . . .. . .. . . . .. ..... .. .. 42
Index . . ...... .. .. ... . . ... .. .. .. ... . ....... ... ... .. .. . .... 45
Chevrolet Service Policy ... .. . . . . . . . . .... . .. .... Inside Back Cover
All information contained in th is booklet is based on the latest product information available at the
time
of printing. The right is reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
PART NO. 3798326 • SECOND EDITION

- --- --
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
BREAKING-IN PERIOD
Sound design and precision manufacturing methods
will permit you to operate your new Corvair in ' a nor-
mal 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.
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
your Corvair.
CAUTION: Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by the engine of any car. It is odor-
less, so you cannot detect its presence. 8e safe. Never start or run engine in a c10Hd garage.
2

IGNITION SWITCH
STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING
LOCK OFF ON START
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 and remove the key when
leaving your car unattended .
NOTE: Key cannot be removed from switch when in OFF
position, thus guarding against accidentally leaving
switch
OFF but not locked . The key may be removed
when the switch is in ON position and the switch may
then be actuated to OFF and 5T ART positions.
3
1. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-Place the transmission
shift lever in the N (neutral) position. The
engine will
not start with the transmission in gear .
SYNCHROMESH TRANSMISSION -Place the trans-
mission
shift lever in neutral position, and depress
clutch
pedal to the floor.
2. Depress accelerator part way down and release. In
extreme cold weather (0· F. and below) or when en-
gine is hot, accelerator pedal should be held part
way down during starting.
3. Turn ignition switch to START . Release ignition switch
as soon as engine starts.
4. "FLOODED" ENGINE-Fully depress the accelerator
pedal and hold in this position while cranking the
engine-do not "pump" the accelerator pedal to
correct a "flooded" condition.

v
WARM-UP
Never race the engine or drive at high speeds until
the engine has
had a chance to warm up. Always 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 WITH
THE
MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS
The Three-Speed and optional Four-Speed Trans-
missions are
operated in basically the same manner. Shift
patterns differ, of course, as illustrated here. The light
green.dots with black numbers which appear iust below
the speedometer
dial indicate the recommended speeds
at which the optional '4-speed transmission should be
shifted into 2nd,
3rd and 4th gear.
1 st GEAR (LOW)-Depress clutch pedal, shift 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.
4
3rd GEAR (HIGH)-Slowly release clutch pedal and de-
press accelerator
pedal. This is the cruising gear for
all normal driving with tHe 3-speed transmission.
With the 4-speed transmission 3rd gear will provide
more response and h' igher performance for driving
in heavy traffic.
4th
GEAR (HIGH-4-speed Transmission Only)
Shift
into 4th gear in the same manner for normal
cruising with the 4-speed transmission.
NOTE: Whenever the vehicle begins to labor in
any gear, depress the clutch pedal, and shilt
to the next lower gear ,
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 ",se when starting or idling engine.
REVERSE-Operate
as for 1 st gear but always at a
slow speed.
TOWING-Attaching points for lifting and towing are
located in the front and rear bumper brackets.

Three Speed Shift Pattern
PUSHING TO START
• Turn on key and depress clutch pedal.
• Place gearshift lever in Neutral position until car
speed reaches 15 MPH .
Four Spe . ed Shift Pattern
• Move shift lever to 3rd position and slowly release
clutch pedal.
• Never attempt to start the car by towing.
DRIVING WITH THE POWERGLIDE TRANSMISSION
The optional Powerglide transmission is completely
automatic and replaces the standard clutch and trans-
mission. Start the engine with the selector lever in N
position, select the range desired and depress the accel-
erator. The Powerglide transmission will do the rest.
5
During normal forward driving, the transmission starts
in automatic low gear and will shift to cruising gear at
. some point between approximately 12 and 50 mph, de-
pending on the accelerator position. Thus, a gradual start
with a steady, gradual increase of pressure on the accel-

erator pedal will enable the transmission to shift into the
more economical cruising gear in the shortest possible
time.
Hard acceleration for fast starts will cause the trans-
mission
to remain in low gear for a considerably longer
period with resultant higher fuel c.onsumption.
When driving at speeds below 40 mph, the transmis-
sion
may be shifted back into low range for extra acceler-
ation by depressing the accelerator pedal fully. The
transmission
will automatically shift back into cruising
gear when the accelerator pedal is momentarily released.
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.
TOWING
• Never tow to start vehicle.
• Place selector lever in neutral.
•
If transmission or axle are malfunctioning, tow with
rear wheels raised. Never tow faster than · 50 mph.
OPERATING YOUR POWERGLIDE TRANSMISSION
POSITION
R-REVERSE
N-NEUTRAL
D-DRIVE
L-LOW
OPERATION
For Backing Car (From Stopped Position)
For Starting Engine (Brakes Applied)
For all Forward Driving. Step hard on
accelerator for extra acceleration below
40 mph.
For Hard Pulling at Low Speeds, Climb-
ing, or Descending Steep Grades and for
additional engine braking below 40 mph.
6
USES
NORMAL
DRIVING
RANGE
SAND, SNOW,
MUD OR ON
STEEP GRADES

• Attaching points for lifting and towing are located in
the
front and rear bumper brackets.
•
When towing any vehicle on its front wheels, the steer-
ing wheel should be secured to maintain a straight
ahead position.
ROCKING CAR
When stuck in mud, sand or snow, you may rock
the
car by depre~sing the accelerator slightly and shifting
the selector
lever between Rand O. Avoid excessive
engine speed while performing this operation .
PARKING CAR
It is important that when your Corvair 95 or Green-
brier is parked the parking brake be fully engaged. Do
not count on the transmission to hoid " the cor. Always
engage the parking brake when parked.
POWERGLIDE DRIVING CAUTIONS
• Always engage parking brake when parked.
• Do not accelerate engine in "L," "0," or
"R" with the brakes engaged. This can
cause
damage by overheating transmission.
•
Do not hold car on an upgrade by accelerat-
ing engine. Use Brakes.
•
Do not use low position except for hard pulls
at low speed, or climbing, or descending
steep grades.
• Always stop car before shifting to reverse.
DRIVING WITH THE POSITRACTION REAR AXLE
The Positraction Rear Axle gives you constant driv-
ing force on both rear wheels; especially helpful in the
winter and during other slippery driving conditions .
In normal use, light throttle application will supply
7
maximum traction . When starting with one rear wheel
on an excessively slippery surface, slight application of
the parking brake mdy be necessary to gain maximum
traction.

INSTRUMENTS
All driving instruments are grouped in the instrument
cluster which
is located immediately in front of the driver
to provide quick reading and a.maximum of convenience
and accessibility. The "TEMP-PRESS" and "GEN-FAN" in-
dicator lights provide important information concerning
the condition
of the engine and should be observed regu-
larly during operation of the car. The information on
these pages
will help you understand the operation of
these instruments. The illustrations here and on page 10
will acquaint you with the instrument cluster and the
instrument
panel as a whole.
FUEL GAUGE
This gauge indicates fuel
quantity in the tank only
~hen the ignition switch is in
the
ON position. When the
ignition is "off," the indica-
tor pointer will not neces-
sarily return to the empty
IE)
mark, but may stop at any
point on the gauge.
8
BRIGtiTBEAM
SPEEDOMETER
Shows speed in miles per hour. The odometer below
the speedometer registers accumulated mileage .
Information concerning the four ·speed transmission
shift points
indicated below will be found in the·manual
transmission
operating instructions on page 4.

"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
95. 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 dur-
ing 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 operation
can result in serious damage.
INDICATOR REMAINING
LIGHTED DURING
NORMAL OPERATION
PROBABLE
CAUSE
ITEMS
TO BE
CHECKED
Low Oil Pressure
Engine Oil
Level
TEMP-PRESS Indicator
Excessive Engine Temp.
Generator Not Charging
GEN-FAN Indicator
Fan Not Operating
Oil Level
and Fan Belt
Generator
Fan Belt
.MPORTANTI
If either of the Indicators light during normal operation,
8TOP 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 18
9
REPLACED. Never drive car when "Temp·Pre .. " Indicator
II lighted. Car can be driven at Ilow Ipeedl If only "Gen·
Fan"lndlcatorlllighted and fan beltll not broken, however,
generator mUlt be ohecked and lervlced al loon al po .. lble.