So i had to sell my beloved mr2 after a short stint with it. When i had one before there were parts a plenty but i didnt realize how hard it is to find 80's toyota parts. and one bad idle control valve basically had me stuck. Im still young, and had no idea this was such a huge issue for Toyotas. A learning curve to say the least.
My mechanic mentioned its hard for him to find old japanese parts but always easily finds them for old American cars.
So my question to you guys is, whats the hardest part that you had to find for the 'vair? Or is this just a laughable question because theyre so easy to find?
Its my first American car tbh, started with old beamers like the e30 or e24



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2021 07:42AM by MattNall.

Sort of a lame question - for any old car.

There are hundreds of parts on a Corvair that would be hard to find.

Most / all of the pieces for the smog system on LMs. Most all of the systems have been removed.

NOS crankshaft? possible; but not probable. Can you get a new produced? Maybe? Bring a lot of money.

Though there are hundreds of parts reproduced for Corvairs - not nearly all of them have been reproduced.

Same applies to your older Japanese (or any other manufacturers) 70's, 80's, 90's cars - as you noticed.

Years ago, it seemed to me that you could build a brand new Ford Model A from the ground up from the part suppliers for such vehicles. Not sure that is the case now.

The hardest part to find for my Vair, is a usable Rampside hinge, still looking for one.
When I was restoring my last Isetta there still were no reproduction master cylinders or wheel cylinders available, had to obtain the tooling and learn how to sleeve the master, front and rear cylinders myself, today they are available.

John

1962 Rampside, 4.3 Vortec powered.
The thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.

Sparta Michigan.

For me it seems, at the present anyway, finding someone to part with a nice [ but not NOS ] LM Corvair Antenna assembly with the lead in cable to the radio.
For the Right front fender top position.
The one with the antenna shaft that can be unscrewed / removed for using a car cover.
I have been asking for 6 months.
I even have a 1964 one to trade [ no cable ].

Bob C aka Dryenko
Dobson, NC 27017

In my experience, the hardest things are fenders and other weld-on sheet metal body parts. I'd love to find a new LR quarter panel, for example.

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
60 Monza coupe (sold, sniff sniff)
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

The 1/4” “top hat” sheet metal bolts that are used on the mid ‘66-9 perimeter seal retainers and in the heater ducts of all LM’s. I can never seen to find one when I need one! I used to always hunt for 5/16 18 thread nuts, then we had a surplus auction at work and I bought 71 lbs. for $10. Anyone need some?! LOL!

Mike
YS-117

Also can't seem to find a good working LM AM radio with bezel .
For a 1966 sedan.
Although they should all be the same.
Anyone ?

Bob C aka Dryenko
Dobson, NC 27017

The one one I just took off 5 minutes ago and set down somewhere in my garage.

Off topic, but the hardest part to find is the one I LOST then find JUST AFTER I BUY IT'S REPLACEMENT!!! -- LOL.

On another thread...62 Car rear air grill! They are out there but not for a price I want to pay.

Enjoy the Corvair.

Paul Sergeant
CORSA Central Division Director / CORSA Treasurer
Lee's Summit, MO
CORSA since 1975
Member – HACOA, Corvair Minnesota, CORSA, Little Indians, POCI

---

MidEngineMongrel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So i had to sell my beloved mr2 after a short stint with it. When i had one before there were parts a plenty but i didnt realize how hard it is to find 80's toyota parts. and one bad idle control valve basically had me stuck. Im still young, and had no idea this was such a huge issue for Toyotas. A learning curve to say the least.
> My mechanic mentioned its hard for him to find old japanese parts but always easily finds them for old American cars.
> So my question to you guys is, whats the hardest part that you had to find for the 'vair? Or isnthis just a laughable question because theyre so easy to find?
> Its my first American car tbh, started with old beamers like the e30 or e24
=====================================================

To keep a Corvair running is actually easy! Our parts suppliers will "overnight" anything you need,

MODERATOR
Sea Mountain, between Charleston Harbor and Coos Bay! SW Oregon Coast
Click HERE for My Website...Click HERE for My TechPages!
...............110-PG.................................................Webered-Turbo

In terms of simply keeping a Corvair running we are pretty lucky. Not much is rare that keeps one from being operational.

Unlike some other cars I have had where some parts just to keep it moving are hard to find. Worst I have ever dealt with was finding cardan joint parts for the driveshaft in my '62 Buick Special.

As some have said the hardest one to find is the one you had 5 minutes ago.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

The roughest part is always going to be the wheel bearings for the average person. Reproduction ones are being made for earlier now but for how long? Even the lates are afflicted by quality variation because the inner bearing cones made by National will lock up on assembly. Use SKF.

Crawford

C.A. Rose
Metairie, LA
1962 Spyders

I always use Timken.
Corvair parts are more readily available than parts for my '95 Chevy van. In my experience they are more available than any other old cars. I have a Corvette and I can't find the special aluminum washers for the front control arm bushings.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 114 Corvairs and counting...

At least we don't have to worry about 10mm sockets!

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
60 Monza coupe (sold, sniff sniff)
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

In my experience nearly every part is available for our Corvairs. The problem is I don't want to pay the price to obtain them. I want them cheap!

A set of Delco Moraine GM metallic brake shoes

1965 Crown V8 Racer
1964 Bill Thomas Monza Replica Racer
1964 Spyder Street Car
1979 Mazda RX7

Mike Levine