Chevrolet VEGA 1971 User manual

-IT-
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INTRODUCTION
Your Vega has many fine features. One of these is a designed-in
ease of service and maintenance. Sooner
or later you're going to
want to try your hand at performing some of these maintenance
procedures yourself. This booklet has been prepared especially for
those of you who are new to this kind of undertaking
but will be of
equal interest
if you have had wider mechanical experience. You'll
find all you need to know, written in an easy to follow style giving
needed parts, tools and procedures. The Table of Contents will
locate general areas, the Maintenance Schedule will help you relate
specific procedures to the recommended time and mileage intervals,
and the Index at the rear of the booklet will locate specific items.
We know you'll enjoy your Vega and part of this enjoyment will
be in keeping it in top shape yourself.
Caution: As with any machinery. extreme care should be taken when
performing any maintenance or repairs so as to prevent accidental
injury. Improper or incomplete servicing could also result in vehicle
operational problems. Should you have any question about performing
any service. have the service performed by a qualified mechanic .
We welcome your comments and suggestions.
All informati' oncontained
in this booklet is the lat-
est product information
ava
il able at the time of
printing. The right is re-
served to make changes at
any time without notice.
ST-302-71
©General Motors Corporation 1970
1
Chevrolet Motor Division
General Motors Corporation
Detroit, Michigan
48202
Part No. 3988975
Third Edition, Febru ary, 1971
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Maintenance Schedule Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
Lubrication ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine
......... . . ................... . . . . .
Front Suspension
...... ' ... . ..... ... .... . . .
Powerglide and Torque Drive
.. . .... .
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Axle
........... .. .. ... . .. . .. .........
Manual Steering
..... . .. .. . ... .. .. . .... ... . .
Power Steering ........ . .. .. ..... ...... .... .
Brake Master Cylinder
.......... . .. .. . .. . ... .
Body Parts
... . .... . . . .. .. .. . .... .. . . . . . .
Wheel Bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
6
10
11
14
15
16
16
18
18
20
Tune-Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Battery Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Belt Condition and Tensioning
.. . ..... 29
Distributor Maintenance
... . . .. . . . . . . . 31
Spark Plugs . . . . . . . . . . ..... . .. " 37
What Spark.Plugs Can Tell You About
Your Engine . . . . . . . . . . .
.. . ... . .. .. .. 38
Engine Timing
... ........ . ........... '. 43
. Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve
.......... . . 45
Evaporation Emission Canister . . . . .
.. . ... .. .
Carburetor
......... . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Valve Adjustment
..... . . .. .. . .... . . .. .
46
48
52
Lighting ....... .. . ............ . ... ...... . . . . 55
Head Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Tum Signal Lamps . . .. ... .. ... . .. .. ..... 59
Side MarkerLamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 62
Dome Lamp
......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Instrument Cluster Lamps 63
Automatic Transmission Shift Quadrant Lamp 64
Tum Signal Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Four-way Hazard Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Instrument Cluster
........ . . . . .. .. . ... . .... " 66
Fuses . . . . .
.. .... ..... . . . ..... . .... . . . 69
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont'd.)
Page
Tires and Shock Absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 70
Tires ....... . . ... ...... . .. ... .. 70
Tread Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Tire Inspection
Tire Changing . . . . . .
.. . .. . ........ . ... 71
.... . . .. ...... .. . ....... . . 74
75
76
Front Shock Absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 77
Rear Shock Absorbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shock Absorbers
Engine Cooling and Air Conditioning . . .
.. . . 79
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Cooling System Flushing
.. . , . . . . . . . . . . 80
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Inspection . . . . . . . . 81
Refrigerant Quick Check Procedure 82
Brakes and Clutch . .
... . ... .. ....... ._ ... .. . . . . 84
Brakes
Brake Lines
Parking-Brake
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes . . . . . . . . .
Bleeding the Hydraulic System.
Clutch
.Clutch Pedal Free Play Adjustment ... . . ... . . .
Sheet Metal
Sheet Metal Removal .
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
84
85
85
86
90
90
92
92
93
93
99
Minor Trouble Shooting . . . .
.. 100
Trouble Shooting Guide .101
Fuel System and Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Electrical System ..... . .. . .. . . .. .. . ... .. .... 103
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Vehicle Support Information . . . . .. ... .. ... .. ... .105
Index . . . ... . . . . .. . .. .... 109
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MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULE
INDEX
Periodically
Page
• Check the oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. 8
• Check the energizer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
• Check all the lights for proper operation . .. . .. .... ... . . .55
• Inspect seat belts . .See Owners Manual
• Inspect tires . ..... . ... 70
Every 6,000 Miles or 4 Months
(whichever comes first)
• Change the engine oil-more often during severe
operating conditions
• Change the oil filter at the first oil change, then
at every other oil change . . . . . . . .
• Lubricate the front suspension and steering linkage
While working
under the car you should also:
• Lubricate the parking brake cables
• Check the lubricant level of the:
8
8
. ... 10
.20
Standard Transmission .
.... . .. .. . . . . . . .. .. .. 14
Rear Axle . ... ... . . . . . . . . .
.15
• Inspect the:
Brake lines and hoses . .85
Exhaust system for proper mounting, leaks,
missing
or damaged parts ... See Owners Manual
Parking brake linkage
Tires .
..... .
Now, moving
to the engine compartment:
• Check the fluid level of the:
Energizer
(battery) . .. ... . .
Brake master cylinder .... .. .
Powerglide
and TorqueDrive transmission
. .
.. .. 70
. .. . . 28
. .... . .... 18
... .. . ... 11
. ... .. . .16
Power steering pump
Radiator. . . . .. . .. . ... .... .. 79
• Inspect the:
Air conditioning refrigerant charge . . . .. ....... 82
Accessory drive belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Power steering lines and hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Throttle linkage . . . ..... . . ........ 49
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• Lubricate body parts ... . .... . 18
• Check and, if necessary, adjust Emission
Control items:
Carburetor idle speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 50
Solenoid idle speed .. . ... . ... .. . ....... .... . . 50
. Ignition timing .... . .. .. . . . .... . ...... . . ... 50
Every 6,000 Miles
• Rotate the tires ............ ..... ....... . ..... . .... 75
Every 12,000 Miles or 12 Months
(whichever comes first)
• Tune your engine; which includes such items as:
Energizer fluid level check (battery) .
.... ... ...... 28
Accessory drive belt tensioning
.. . .. . ....... . ..... 29
Distributor cap and rotor inspection . . . . . .
.. . . . . . . . 31
Points, inspection and replacement .. . ........ . .. . .33
Distributor cam lubricator
.... ..... . ... . . ... . .. .37
Condenser, inspection and replacement
... . . ... . ... 36
Spark plug replacement .............. ..... ... .. 37
Timing the engine
.... . .. . . . ... . ..... .... . .. ... 43
Fuel filter replacement . . . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Carburetor adjustments
......... .. . .. . . ... .. . .. 50
Emission canister filter replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46
• Check the headlamp aim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
• Inspect the brake lines and brake system for leaks . . . . . . . .85
Every 24,000 Miles
• Repack the front wheel bearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
• Replace distributor cam lubricator .. . .... .... . . . . .. ... 37
• Replace the PCV valve* .
.......... . ...... .. .. ... .. 45
• Adjust the engine valves .... ............. .. ... . .. . . . 52
• Drain automatic transmission and add fresh
fluid-adjust the low band onthe Powerglide and
Torque Drive transmissions . .
........... . . . . . . ... . 11
Every 2 Years
• Drain radiator coolant, flush and refill the system . . ... . . .. 80
Every 36,000 Miles
• Check the manual steering gear for seal leakage . . . . . . . . . .16
Every 50,000 Miles
• Replace the air cleaner (more often during dusty
driving conditions)
............... ..... .. . . . . . . .. .48
* or 24 months. (whichevercomes first)
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r.
~ . .
lUBRICATION
/1
ENGINE LUBRICATION
Engine oil should be selected to give the best per-
formance under the climatic and driving conditions in
the territory in which your Vega
is driven.
During warm
or hot weather, an oil which will pro-
vide adequate lubrication under high operating tem-
peratures
is required.
During the colder months of the year, an oil which
will permit easy starting at the lowest atmospheric
temperature likely to be encountered, should be used.
When the engine
is drained and refilled, the engine
oil should be selected, not on the basis of the existing
teinperature at the time of the change, but on the lowest
temperature anticipated for the period during which
the oil
is to be used.
Unless the engine oil
is selected on the basis of vis-
cosity or fluidity at the anticipated temperature, diffi-
culty in starting will be experienced at each sudden
drop in temperature.
SAE Viscosity Oils
SAE Viscosity Numbers indicate only the viscosity
or
body of the oil, that is, whether an oil is a light or a
heavy body oil, and do not consider
or include other
properties or quality factors.
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The lower SAE Viscosity Numbers, such as SAE 5W SAE
lOW which represent the light body oils, are recommended for
use during cold weather to provide easy starting and instant lubri-
cation. The higher SAE Viscosity Numbers such as SAE 30 and
SAE 30W, which represent heavier body oils, are recommended
for use during warm
or hot weather to provide improved oil econ-
omy and adequate lubrication under high operating temperatures.
Oils are available which are designed to combine the easy start-
ing characteristics of the lower SAE.Viscosity Number with the
warm weather operating characteristics of the higher SAE Vis-
cosity Number. These are termed "multi-viscosity oils," SAE
5W-20,
SAE 5W-30, SAE 10W-30, SAE 10W-40, SAE 20W-40.
The following chart will serve as a guide in selecting the proper
oil viscosity.
In addition to providing proper lubrication, the cor-
rect viscosity helps assure good cold and hot starting by reducing
friction and thus·increasing cranking speed.
Please Note:
• SAE 5W-20 oils are not recommended for sustained high speed driving .
• SAE 30 oils may be used at temperatures above 40 degrees F.
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY NUMBER
I I I
•
'_l'_lIlY.t11ri( ••
tWIll.- •
I • I I I -.
I I I
•
1-
r I I I I I
-30 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATE!) BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE, OF.
Types of Oils- How to Determine the Quality of Oil
You Are Getting
In service, engine oils may form sludge and varnish and, under
some conditions, corrosive acids unless protected against oxidation.
To minimize the formation of these harmful products and to
assure the use of oil best suited for present day operating conditions,
automobile manufacturers have developed a series ofsequence.tests
designed to evaluate the ability of any oil to properly lubricate
automobile engines.
Only those oils which are certified by their suppliers as meeting
(a) MS service requirements and (b) car makers tests are of the
quality
tQ be used in Chevrolet engines.
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Checking
and Maintaining the
Oil Level
Warm up the engine, turn off
the ignition and allow a
few
minutes so the oil can return to
the crankcase before checking
the level.
The engine oil dipstick
is lo-
cated in the left rear corner of
the engine compartment next
to the engine. The dipstick
is
marked "FULL" and "ADD".
The oil level should be main-
tained between the two marks,
neithergoing above the"FULL"
line nor below the "ADD" line.
1. Remove the dipstick from
the tube and wipe it off
with a rag.
Engine Oil Change
2. Replace it and make sure it
is seated in the tube.
3. Remove it again and in-
spect it to see if the oil falls
between the two marks.
4. Add oil only if the level falls
below the "ADD" mark.
One quart will raise the
level from the"ADD"mark
to the "FULL" mark.
5. Replace dipstick firmly.
To ensure continuation of best performance, low maintenance
cost and long engine life, it
is necessary to change the crankcase oil
whenever
it becomes contaminated with harmful foreign materials.
Under normal driving conditions draining the crankcase and refill-
ing it with fresh oil every 4 months
or every 6000 miles (whichever
occurs first)
is recommended.
In certain types of service including trailer hauling, extensive
idling, short trip operation at freezing temperatures (engine not
thoroughly warmed-up), the oil change interval should not exceed
2 months
or 3,000 miles, (whichever occurs first).
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Parts Necessary
3 Quarts of the Appropriate Engine Oil (without Filter
Change) (2Yz Quarts Imperial)
4 Quarts
of the Appropriate Engine Oil (with Filter
Change)
(3IA Quarts Imperial)
1 Oil Filter: AC type
"PF-25"
Tools Necessary
%6 Inch Wrench Funnel
4
Quart Capacity Drain Pan Can Opener
Oil Filter Removal and Installation Tool*
*This tool can be purchased at most auto supply stores at a nominal price .
It is always advisable to drain the crankcase only after the engine
has become thoroughly warmed-up or reached normal operating
temperature.
Caution: Stand clear of and never get beneath the car when it is
supported only by a jack . The jack is designed only for use when
changing wheels. Always use safety stands or blocks beneath the
wheels to support the car if necessary to get underneath .
1. Run the engme until it
reaches operating tempera-
ture, then shut it
off.
2. Place the drain pan under
the engine oil pan.
3. Remove the engine drain
plug with a
716 inch wrench.
4. Allow the engine oil to
drain thoroughly into the
drain pan.
5. Replace and tighten the
drain plug.
6. If you are replacing the oil
filter:
a. Attach the oil filter can
removal and installation
tool and turn counter-
clockwise to remove the
filter.
b. Replace with a new
AC
type "PF-25" filter and
tighten securely by hand.
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