1961 CORVAIR
General Specifications
Model Designations:
Corvair, Series 500
Corvair, Series 700
Corvair Monza, Series 900
Corvair Series 500 Body Styles:
4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #0569
Base Price: $1,974; Shipping Weight: 2,355 Pounds; Production Total: 18,752
2 Door Club Coupe, 5 Passenger, Body #0527
Base Price: $1,920; Shipping Weight: 2,320 Pounds; Production Total: 16,857
4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger, Body #0535
Base Price: $2,266; Shipping Weight: 2,530 Pounds; Production Total: 5,591
Corvair Series 700 Body Styles:
4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #0769
Base Price: $2,039; Shipping Weight: 2,380 Pounds; Production Total: 51,948
2 Door Club Coupe, 5 Passenger, Body #0727
Base Price: $1,985; Shipping Weight: 2,350 Pounds; Production Total: 24,786
4 Door Station Wagon, 6 Passenger, Body #0735
Base Price: $2,330; Shipping Weight: 2,555 Pounds; Production Total: 20,451
Corvair Monza, Series 900 Body Styles:
4 Door Sedan, 6 Passenger, Body #0969
Base Price: $2,201; Shipping Weight: 2,420 Pounds; Production Total: 33,741
2 Door Club Coupe, 4 Passenger, Body #0927
Base Price: $2,201; Shipping Weight: 2,395 Pounds; Production Total: 109,946
1961 CORVAIR
General Engine Specifications:
80 Horsepower 6 Cylinder Engine:
Wheelbase: 108 inches
Engine Type: Overhead Valve, Horizontally Opposed, Air Cooled 6 Cylinder
Bore & Stroke: 3.4375" X 2.60"
Engine Displacement: 145 Cu. In.
Compresssion Ratio: 8.00 to 1
Taxable Horsepower: 28.36
Horsepower: 80 @ 4,400 RPM
Torque: 128 Ft. Lbs @ 2,300 RPM
Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI
Carburetor: 2 - Rochester Model 7019101, 1 Barrel Carburetors
Rear Axle Ratio: 3.27:1; Optional: 3.55:1 or 3.89:1
Tire Size: 6.50 x 13 inches; Station Wagon: 7.00 x 13 inches.
98 Horsepower 6 Cylinder Engine, Monza:
Wheelbase: 108 inches
Engine Type: Overhead Valve, Horizontally Opposed, Air Cooled 6 Cylinder
Bore & Stroke: 3.4375" X 2.60"
Engine Displacement: 145 Cu. In.
Compresssion Ratio: 9.00 to 1
Taxable Horsepower: 28.36
Horsepower: 98 @ 4,600 RPM
Torque: 132 Ft. Lbs @ 3,000 RPM
Normal Oil Pressure: 35 PSI
Carburetor: 2 - Rochester Model 7015311, 1 Barrel Carburetors
Rear Axle Ratio: 3.27:1;; Optional: 3.55:1 or 3.89:1
Tire Size: 6.50 x 13 inches; Station Wagons: 7.00 x 13 inches
Tune Up Specifications:
Distributor #1110252 & #1110258
Spark Plug Type: AC 46FF or Equivalent
Spark Plug: Gap .035;
Point Gap:
New Points: .019"
Used Points: .016"
Dwell Angle: 31-34 Degrees
Firing Order: 1-4-5-2-3-6
Ignition Timing: 4 Degrees Before TDC
Engine Idle Speed:
Standard Transmission: 500 RPM
Automatic Transmission: 500 RPM in Drive
Compression Pressure: 130 PSI
Fuel Pump Pressure: 5-1/4 to 6-1/2 PSI
Distributor #1110256 & #1110257
Spark Plug Type: AC 46FF or Equivalent
Spark Plug: Gap .035;
Point Gap:
New Points: .019"
Used Points: .016"
Dwell Angle: 31-34 Degrees
Firing Order: 1-4-5-2-3-6
Ignition Timing: 16 Degrees Before TDC
Engine Idle Speed:
Standard Transmission: 500 RPM
Automatic Transmission: 500 RPM in Drive
Compression Pressure: 130 PSI
Fuel Pump Pressure: 5-1/4 to 6-1/2 PSI
Distributor #1110259 & #1110260
Spark Plug Type: AC 46FF or Equivalent
Spark Plug: Gap .035;
Point Gap:
New Points: .019"
Used Points: .016"
Dwell Angle: 31-34 Degrees
Firing Order: 1-4-5-2-3-6
Ignition Timing: 13 Degrees Before TDC
Engine Idle Speed:
Standard Transmission: 500 RPM
Automatic Transmission: 500 RPM in Drive
Compression Pressure: 130 PSI
Fuel Pump Pressure: 5-1/4 to 6-1/2 PSI
Engine Tightening Specifications:
Spark Plugs: 20-25 Ft. Lbs
Cylinder Head Bolts: 27-33 Ft. Lbs
Exhaust Manifold: 22-27 Ft. Lbs
Rocker Arm Stud Nut: 55-125 Inch Lbs.
Rocker Arm Stud: 27-33 Ft. Lbs.
Rocker Arm Cover: 30-50 Inch Lbs.
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 20-26 Ft. Lbs.
Crankcase Bolts: 50-55 Ft. Lbs.
Flywheel to Crankshaft: 40-50 Ft. Lbs.
Vibration Damper or Pulley: 50-60 Ft. Lbs.
Distributor Specifications:
Distributor #1110258 (Standard Transmission)
Rotation: Clockwise
Breaker Point Opening: .019" (New Points); .016" (Used Points)
Dwell Angle: 31 to34 Degrees
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19 to 23 Ounces
Centrifugal Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 0 Degrees @ 200 RPM
Full Advance: 16 Degrees @ 1,800 RPM
Vacuum Advance Data:
Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger: 6" Vacuum
Maximum Advance: 11 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum
Distributor #1110259 (Automatic Transmission)
Rotation: Clockwise
Breaker Point Opening: .019" (New Points); .016" (Used Points)
Dwell Angle: 31 to34 Degrees
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19 to 23 Ounces
Centrifugal Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 0 Degrees @ 850 RPM
Full Advance: 10 Degrees @ 1,800 RPM
Vacuum Advance Data:
Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger: 7" Vacuum
Maximum Advance: 11 Degrees @ 16" Vacuum
Distributor #1110257 (High Performance)
Rotation: Clockwise
Breaker Point Opening: .019" (New Points); .016" (Used Points)
Dwell Angle: 31 to34 Degrees
Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 19 to 23 Ounces
Centrifugal Advance Data:
Advance Starts: 0 Degrees @ 350 RPM
Full Advance: 12 Degrees @ 2,400 RPM
Vacuum Advance Data:
Inches of Vacuum to Start Plunger: 6" Vacuum
Maximum Advance: 11 Degrees @ 15" Vacuum
Generator & Regulator Specifications:
Generator #1100227
Ground Polarity: Negative
Generator Output: 30 Amperes
Brush Spring Tension: 28 Ounces
Field Current: 1.5 to 1.62 Amperes
Regulator #1119001
Cutout Relay:
Voltage to Close Points: 12.4 Volts
Armature Air Gap: .020"
Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.2 Volts
Current Regulator Setting: 30 Amperes
Current & Voltage Armature Air Gap: .075"
Starting Motor Specifications:
Part #1108306 (Standard Transmission)
Brush Spring Tension: 35 Ounces
No Load Test: 58-80 Amperes, 10.6 Volts @ 6,750-10,500 RPM
Resistance Test: 280-320 Amperes @ 4 Volts
Part #1108307 (Automatic Transmission)
Brush Spring Tension: 35 Ounces
No Load Test: 58-80 Amperes, 10.6 Volts @ 6,750-10,500 RPM
Resistance Test: 280-320 Amperes @ 4 Volts
Valve Specifications
Turbo-Air Engine;
Valve Lash: 1 Turn
Valve Seat Angle: 45 degrees
Valve Face Angle: 44 degrees
Valve Spring Installed Height: 1-1/2"
Valve Spring Pressure: 60 Lbs @ 1-1/2 inches
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001-.0027;
Exhaust .0015-.0032
Valve Stem Diameter: Intake: .3415"-.3422"
Exhaust: Top: .3414"; Bottom: .3404"
Other Engines;
Valve Lash: 1 Turn
Valve Seat Angle: 45 degrees
Valve Face Angle: 44 degrees
Valve Spring Installed Height: 1-11/16"
Valve Spring Pressure: 75 Lbs @ 1-11/16 inches
Valve Stem Clearance: Intake .001-.0027;
Exhaust .0015-.0032
Valve Stem Diameter: Intake: .3415"-.3422"
Exhaust: Top: .3414"; Bottom: .3404"
Piston, Pins, Rings, Crankshaft Bearing Data:
All Engines:
Piston Clearance: .0011"-.0017"
Ring End Gap (Minimum):
Compression Ring: .010"
Oil Ring: .010
Wrist Pin Diameter: .8001"
Rod Bearings:
Shaft Diameter: 1.799"-1.800"
Rod Bearing Clearance: .0007"-.0027"
Main Bearings:
Shaft Diameter: #1 & #2: 2.0978"-2.0988"; #3 & #4: 2.0983"-2.0993"
Main Bearing Clearance: .0012"-.0037"
Thrust on Bearing #1
Shaft End Play: .002"-.006"
Capacities:
All Series:
Fuel Tank: 14 Gallons;
Engine Oil Refill: 4-1/2 Quarts, with new filter.
Grade of Oil: Summer: 30;
Winter: 10W
3 Speed Manual Transmission: 2 Pints
4 Speed Manual Transmission: 3-3/4 Pints
Automatic Transmission: 6 Pints (13-14 Pints on Overhaul)
Differential: 3.2 Pints
Wheel Alignment Specifications
Caster: +1-3/4 Degrees
Front Wheel Camber: Left & Right: +1/2 Degree
Rear Wheel Camber: Left & Right: +1 Degree
Toe-In: Front: 1/4" to 3/8"; Rear: 1/8" to 3/8"
Toe-Out on Turns:
Outer Wheel: 18 Degrees
Inner Wheel: 20 Degrees
Rear Axle & Brake Specifications
Carrier Type: Integral
Differential Bearing Preload:
Method: Threaded Adjuster
Adjustment: 2 to 3 notches light
Ring Gear & Pinion Backlash:
Method: Threaded Adjuster
Adjustment: .005"-.008"
Pinion Bearing Preload:
Method: Sleeve
Adjustment:
New Bearings: 14-16 Inch Lbs.
Used Bearings: 9-11 Inch Lbs.
Brake Drum Diameter: 9"
Wheel Cylinder Bore:
Front: 7/8"
Rear: 15/16"
Master Cylinder Bore: 1"
Rochester Carburetor Adjustments
Idle Mixture Screw: 1-1/2 Turns
Float Level: 1-7/32"
Float Drop: 1-3/4"
Pump Rod: Index
Choke Unloader: .245"
Engine Codes:
Y = Manual Transmission, Hi-Performance Engine
YC = Manual Transmission
YH = Manual Transmission
YL = Manual Transmission with Air Conditioning
YM = Air Conditioning & Hi-Performance Engine
YN = Manual Transmission, Hi-Performance Engine
ZB = Automatic Transmission
ZD = Automatic Transmission & Air Conditioning
ZF = Automatic Transmission, Hi-Performance Engine
ZG = Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning, Hi-Performance Engine
ZH = Automatic Transmission
ZJ = Automatic Transmission & Air Conditioning
Beginning Serial Number:
All Series: 100001
Popular Options
Automatic Transmission, 4 Speed Manual Transmission, 98 HP Engine, 3.55:1 or 3.89:1 Axle Ratio, Manual Radio, Push Button Radio, Direct Air Heater, Gasoline Heater, Padded Dash, Folding Rear Seat (Standard on Monza), Wheel Covers (Standard on Monza), Spare Wheel Lock, Whitewall Tires, Two Speed Windshield Wipers, Windshield Washer, Back Up Lights, Glove Compartment Light, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers.
Paint Colors & Codes
Code Color
503 Tuxedo Black
903 Seafoam Green
905 Arbor Green Poly
912 Jewel Blue Poly
914 Midnight Blue Poly
915 Twilight Turquoise Poly
917 Seamist Turquoise
920 Fawn Beige Poly
923 Roman Red
925 Coronna Cream
936 Ermine White
938 Almond Beige
940 Sateen Silver Poly
948 Honduras Maroon Poly
1961 Corvair Historical Data
1961 Chevrolet Corvair models were introduced on October 8, 1960.
Total 1961 Corvair Production was 297,881.
Promotional Models Produced:
Plastic: Corvair 700 4 Door Sedan & Corvair Monza Coupe
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