Tom Stark, 1962 Chevy Corvair Convertible

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64Vair
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Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 10:35 am
Location: Detroit Michingan Area
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Tom Stark, 1962 Chevy Corvair Convertible

Post by 64Vair »

Name: Tom Stark
Vehicle: 1962 Chevy Corvair
Engine: 164 ci, flat 6
Injection: Ignition only at this point
Description: OK, I got my 62 vert running with a MS V 3.0 board using MS1
with MSnSe. I am using it for ignition only at this point, fuel coming
shortly.
I am using a 7 pin GM HEI ignition system. I took the 62 distributor,
and fitted the late GM distributor reluctor and pickup coil inside of
it. I made a bronze bushing from a valve guide, so that it would act as
a bushing for the shaft, AND as a center for the pick up coil. The
reluctor I bored out, and pressed onto the points cam. I then welded
the points cam to the shaft, (this used to be 2 pieces to allow
centrifugal advance). This now gives me a one piece shaft that has a
locked dizzy.
When I first installed the distributor, and got the car running,
there were problems. I won't go into detail, let's just say at one
point the cops came to investigate a "gun shot" they heard. It was at
this time, I decided I needed to "rethink" the phasing of the rotor and
pickup coil!
Here is how I fixed my problem, and got the car running right.
I knew from before, what my advance curve should be. I had the car
running pretty well with the old distributor, so I decided I would start
with that advance curve. I initial advance was 21 BTDC without any
vacuum advance. Max advance was 41 BTDC without vacuum. Vacuum advance
was 16 degrees. So the minimum advance I would have was 21, and max was
57, (so let's call it 20 to 60 to make life easier). What I did was
rotate the motor over to get #1 at 40 BTDC. I made the rotor point
directly at #1 at that point. That would give 1/2 my advance before the
castle, and 1/2 after the castle. I figured that would be perfect.
Then I had to figure out the phasing of the pickup coil. Since 21 was
my minimum advance, I turned the motor over to get #1 at 21 BTDC. I
then fixed the pickup coil so that it would trigger at that point. That
way if, God forbid, I had a computer problem, I should be able to limp
home with 21 degrees advance. I hooked everything back up, and put 21
BTDC as my trigger angle in Megatune, and started the car. The timing
was fairly close. I think I had to adj the trigger angle a bit, down to
16 degrees to get Megatune and my timing light to read the same.
After doing this, the car ran great, NEVER backfired again. I
would drive the car, and when I felt a little "flat spot" I simply noted
the RPM and MAP and would give a little more timing. This is great, I
can't wait to get the fuel run by MS. I am really looking forward to
getting rid of the carbs on this car. Still, even with just the
ignition controlled by MS it is a BIG improvement. Just for the
tuneability alone it was worth the effort and expense.
Tom
Website: http://www.absolutetops.com/Corvair/Corvair.html
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64Vair
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 10:35 am
Location: Detroit Michingan Area
Contact:

UPDATE!

Post by 64Vair »

OK, it has only been a couple of years or so since I installed the MS to run my ignition. I just got it running fuel. It works GREAT! I have barely tuned the fuel maps, and the car is running great. I am thrilled with the results. I do have one small complaint, the first day driving the car, on my way to a fellow hot rodder's house, my 4 speed got stuck in second gear. Now I have to take a perfectly good running hot rod off the street to pull the trans and fix what is probably a $1 roll pin that broke. Oh yeah, in a Corvair, you need to pull the engine, trans, and differential all as a single unit. Oh well, at least the car runs great! You can see the set up at http://www.absolutetops.com/Corvair/Corvair_Frames.htm Just click on the EFI link on the left side of the page.
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