Hmmm.... The float is not supposed to be heavy! Also it should not slosh when you shake it... right? Turns out there was a tiny hole in the float. I could not see it, but the float wicked gas when I tried to dry it off.
I checked the sending unit for resistance with the Ohm Meter and it checked out fine and also the same as my spare FC gas sending unit. As for the leaking float, I have a couple spares of these also. After slipping on the new float and a new sender o-ring gasket, I reinstalled the sending unit.
The tank condition is extremely good. Oh... I did look inside for corrosion. None found. I cleaned up the tank and spray painted it with a commercial ray paint that will not melt away if exposed to gasoline. I also painted the tank straps Black. While these dried, it gave me a chance to clean up and paint the gas tank cavity and surrounding area. When all was dry, it was just a case of putting everything back in. I added 5 gallons of gas and checked for leaks. All went smoothly.
Including waiting for the paint to dry, it worked out to about 6 1/2 hours.
Now when I drive the 100 miles to the Open House at California Corvairs in a couple weeks, I'll have an idea of what's left in the tank... even tho I can easily go over 200 miles on a tank full. Getting stuck in traffic on the way home with a dead gas gauge gets kinda freeky!

Corventure Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2015 11:11AM by corventure Dave.

corventure Dave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hmmm.... The float is not supposed to be heavy!
> Also it should not slosh when you shake it...
> right? Turns out there was a tiny hole I the
> float. I could not see it, but the float wicked
> gas when I tried to dry it off.
> I checked the sending unit for resistance with the
> Ohm Meter and it checked out fine and also the
> same as my spare FC gas sending unit. As for the
> leaking float, I have a couple spares of these
> also. After slipping on the new float and a new
> sender o-ring gasket, I reinstalled the sending
> unit.
> The tank condition is extremely good. Oh... I did
> look inside for corrosion. None found. I cleaned
> up the tank and spray painted it with a commercial
> ray paint that will not melt away if exposed to
> gasoline. I also painted the tank straps Black.
> While these dried, it gave me a chance to clean up
> and paint the gas tank cavity and surrounding
> area. When all was dry, it was just a case of
> putting everything back in. I added 5 gallons of
> gas and checked for leaks. All went smoothly.
> Including waiting for the paint to dry, it worked
> out to about 6 1/2 hours.
> Now when I drive the 100 miles to the Open House
> at California Corvairs in a couple weeks, I'll
> have an idea of what's left in the tank... even
> tho I can easily go over 200 miles on a tank full.
> Getting stuck in traffic on the way home with a
> dead gas gauge gets kinda freeky!
>
> Corventure Dave


I've heard you can actually fix leaky floats. You put them in boiling water and watch where the gas vapors are bubbling up from. then you get the rest of the fuel out (I think they said to just leave it in the boiling water) and you can solder the hole closed.

but given you had extra floats, not worth the effort, not to mention the risk if the float breaks again.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2015 11:12AM by jzatarski.

Yep, you are correct. My float is completely full of gas and the hole not easy to see. Perhaps some day I may try to repair it. But I have about 5 good extra floats. Including a new in the box Ford float that fits Corvair sending units and looks to be a bit thicker material than the OEM floats.
I don't have that Ford part number here but can look it up and post it if anyone is interested.

Corventure Dave

Did the search! The Fore float for the sending unit part number is #COAZ-9202-B.

Corventure Dave

Thanks Dave !!

My gauge act just like yours...

I'll gather the part for next fall/winter project on my Rampside...

Daniel Vallée
1961 Rampside 140PG
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Québec, CANADA

Pretty sure I have the original float out of my Rampy from when I changed the sending unit last year - if anyone is looking for a good one. Float was good, sending unit electrical component was bad.

gerg
Monroe, LA

Current cars and other fun stuff -> [gregblakeney.smugmug.com]

gerg,

Was that a New sending unit from Clarks? I understand they are temporarily out of stock of the Early 61-63 FC sending units. If yours is one of theirs... how is it working? I want to have a new one on hand. I have a good spare used unit.

Thanks,

Corventure Dave

I just ordered the gas tank multi kit and the sender shipped.

So on the way to the California Corvair's Open House, the speedometer went dead.
I posted what happened on another post here. Well, this Saturday I changed out the cable and housing with one of two spares I have here.
Back up on the EZ Car Lift. "Old photo..sorry"! The replacement cable was all lubricated up and installed vary quickly. Nice thing about the FC's... everything underneath is vary accessible. No tunnel covers and routing issues.
After a nice test drive... all is working again.

Corventure Dave

With all the crazy construction going on at my house, involving my garage. I just hated to miss Vair Fest with Central Coast Corsa. But that's over 240 miles round trip for me last Saturday, and when the contractor was here.
But even with all the weekend nonsense.... I did manage to get to a local event on the next day, Sunday.

The Annual Camarillo Ranch, car show and beer fest in Camarillo Calif. was the venue. There was a total of 3 Corvairs on display. Lots of really nice cars and some high dollar restorations and customs. Corvette was highlighted this year... but the highlight for us Corvair owners was the fact each one of us won in our designation, and while competing against all the others!
Dainers Rampside won 2nd place for Trucks. Yippee!

Photo taken early in the day. The park was loaded by noon.

Corventure Dave



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2015 01:53PM by corventure Dave.

Time for an update... Dainers Rampside is sleeping in my Karin's garage. There are plenty of shows around this time of year, but I have been occupied with construction on my garage addition and vacation. Just completed the concrete work in time to make a 16 day motorcycle trip up to BC Canada and island hop around Vancouver the Island area. Just got back and now it's back to construction.

However, I am lining up all the parts to go through the engine this fall and to add forged pistons and a billet cam gear.... among other things to the 1965 FC powerplant. It's been a busy and crazy year.

Look for an article on New West Coast-Coronado mirrors in Corvananitc in the near future. I just modified the all stainless steel NAPA #97644 West Coast like mirrors and mounted them on the Greenbrier. These are the same mirrors Phil has on Philside. But I modified them to be much closer fitting to the cab, like the originals.

Corventure Dave

So I still have a work list for Dainers Rampside. I had mentioned the engine work before. I also have a broken spring on the passenger door latch. Nice Boytcho made these up and now Clarks sells them. SO that will be easy.
I also have just a couple nicks in the paint that the shop will detail away. But all these and other projects in Dave's Man-Cave are on hold. I completely emptied out the garage for this renovation. We completed the concrete work just before my vacation. Now that I'm back it's demolition and framing time. If all goes to plan, the framing, siding and plywood on the roof, will be done by this Saturday.
What a great time for me to sort all that Corvair stuff! I will have some more things for the Toss in Palm Springs this year!

Corventure Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2015 01:51PM by corventure Dave.

Getting closer to bringing Dainer's Rampside home from storage! Should be completed with construction by this weekend. I'm starting to move garage stuff back in. Reorganizing is taking time tho. Can't wait to get the Man-Cave back in order and get back on the Rampside work list!
Need to tell the roofer... he's losing his britches!

Corventure Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2015 02:36PM by corventure Dave.

I'm happy to say that Dainers Rampside will be coming home soon! Just had the inspectors come by and final everything. Now I can go in and wire the lighting like I want and perhaps add a couple useful receptacles. Also going to mount the electric chain hoist for lifting engines from the extraction jack to the engine stand. Should have all the tools and parts crap moved back in in a couple weeks.
Looking forward to getting things back to normal in my Man-Cave, so the Rampside project can continue.
Oh... yes. They did not match the correct stucco color! Supposed to be Egg Shell... not some Pumpkin thing! Small thing... painting it correct this weekend!

Corventure Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/2015 02:52PM by corventure Dave.

Ahhh... It's nice to have the vehicles back together!
Have had a lot of distractions lately. Family loss and also visitors
from France to entertain. But at least "now" I can get things back to
normal in my Man-Cave!
I used to just be able to squeeze the 2 FC's and my Goldwing in there.
Now I have an area the size of a one car garage to play in, even with
both FC's inside with the door closed.
Added features is a super quiet door and electric opener. Keeping in
the stone age, my door was wood and had t be lifted by hand. No more!
I also now have the nice large loft above for storage, along with a
pull down stair-ladder for access.
The biggest advantage is that after 30 years in the same garage, I was able to re-organize and make things more accessible. I no longer have to disassemble
my EZ Car-Lift. I can just store it up against the wall. I have my TV, mini refrigerator and even a folding lounge chair if I want. So hanging out in the Cave will once again be part of my Cavemanantics!

There will be a few events in the next couple months. The CORSA West Funcours and the Fan Belt Toss in Palm Springs. But after those events, progress on the Rampside will continue.
Ah... it's good to again have a Cave to call home!

Corventure Dave

Congrats on the enlarged cave! When my wife and I built our house, I pretty much let her design what she wanted as long as I got to specify the garage size and get a pool. I made sure that the 3 car garage could fit three cars in it, all the lawn equipment and tools, and still leave me room to drop and disassemble a Corvair engine with the garage doors shut. Of course now the problem is we have 4 cars so one has to sit outside. Future plans call for building a 2 car detached garage to hold the 4th car and become the shop.

David Clamp


1965 Corsa convertible - 140 4spd/3.55/AM-FM

2009 Porsche 911 Carrera


"Victory is mine!" - SG

Yukon, OK

With the Palm Springs Toss completed, along with several trips out of town throughout the past couple months.... it's time to get back on the Rampside projects!
I had mentioned that the passenger door was not latching closed properly. The star tumbler was not opening in the proper position to re-close. I had worked over both door latches. Installed new springs and lubricated them up nice. They both worked just fine when I installed them. But after a couple months, the right side latch started acting up.
Soooo, I took the door apart and removed the latch to see what was up with this one.
You will notice that the tab stop for the star tumbler is still original. I left it as is because it looked in good condition to do it's job. However now I see it is bending with every strike of the door opening with the spring spinning the tumbler to that open position. As this tab bends, the latch gets a little more out of time. This stop tab is getting ready to break off! Many of these FC latches that I have worked on over the years, have this tab broken off. My solution is to weld a piece of key stock in place as the new tumbler stop. This has worked out real well on many latches I have reconditioned.
In the case of what you see here... the welded stop latch is one that I already had on hand. This will go into the Rampside door.
Several tests closing and opening this replacement latch, along with grease on the friction points, and this will go back in Saturday.

I'm getting ready to take Dainers Rampside back to the paint shop so they can touch up a few minor imperfections they left and nicks I have put in it. So I'll be removing the wheel covers and other trim that need not be on it for this appointment.

It's great to be back on the Rampside project!

Corventure Dave

Minneapolis,MN

1965 500 Coupe
95HP

Built the 1st week of April of 65 at willow run.
500 coupe. The only factory accessory is a rear antenna.
White with a red interior.
Now black with black and red interior.

Time for a Holiday update!!! Ya think?!!
I still haven't got the Rampside to the paint shop for touch-up's.
Between my schedule and the paint shop's schedule, it just has not worked out. Mostly because of the Holidays. So lets just say... I'll blame that!
I have gotten the passenger door latch sorted out. But have not reassembled the door, and won't until after touch up painting is done. I found a mysterious scratch below the Corvair-95 emblem that I have no idea how it got there. Add that to the touch up list.
At this point the little blemishes are really not all that noticeable. I could leave them alone. But I want to get a final boo boo fix on the paint. Anything getting nicked after that will have to wait until the engine is rebuilt and undercarriage detailed.

You can see I have removed some of the front trim that is near paint touch up areas. That and a shameless hint of that other Corvair work I have been doing recently!
I am also getting the new engine parts together for that winter project. Looking forward to new forged pistons, billet cam gear along with a few other engine upgrades and engine compartment detailing.

The new garage space has already been great. I can turn on the TV to the Velocity channel, just to keep me company and also have the mini fridge on hand! That box hanging from the stringers under the new loft... is this thingy that automatically opens the new garage door! No more stooping to grab a handle to open the door by hand! Will modern marvels never cease!
Re-doing the work area has made projects easier, I no longer have to move vehicles to start playing in the cave!

Corventure Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2015 06:00PM by corventure Dave.

hey what color is your green brier ? is it an original color ?

Jerry valley falls ks
66 corsa
62 rampside