1971 CHEVROLET CAMARO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recommended Viscosity
The following chart will serve as
a guide for selecting the proper oil
viscosity. The
proper viscosity helps assure
good cold and hot starting by re­
ducing friction and thus increasing
cranking speed.
OSITY NUMBER
-20 0 20 60 0
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. OF.
NOTE: SAE 5W-20 oils are not recommended for sustained high-speed
driving.
SAE 30 oils may be used at temperatures above 40°F.
Engine Tune-Up, Emission
Control and Electrical
System Checks
Fuel and electrical systems are
subject to wear and contamination
and require periodic cleaning and
adjustments to maintain maximum economy
and performance. Proper
adjustment of carburetor idle
speed, engine timing and dwell, and
operation of the Positive Crankcase
Ventilation Valve
(PCV) are im­
portant to control hydrocarbon
and
CO emissions within govern-
54
ment legislated levels. These ad­
justments should be made at the
first oil change
(4 months or 6,000
miles, whichever occurs first). The
above fuel and electrical system
checks also are included in engine
tune-ups which are recommended
at one year or 12,000-mile inter­
vals.
Air Injection Reactor (A.I.R.)
The Air Injection Reactor sys­
tem should have the A.I.R. pump
drive belt inspected for wear and
tension every 12 months or
12,000
miles, whichever occurs first.
Positive Crankcase
Ventilation
Valve
Replacement
Crankcase vapors and other im­
purities can cause malfunction of

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the crankcase ventilation valve.
Regular replacement of the PCV
Valve
is recommended at 24-month
or
24,000-mile intervals.
G.M. Evaporation
Control SYltem
The Evaporation Control System
requires only periodic canister filter
servicing.
Every 12 months
or 12,000
miles, whichever occurs first, (more
often under dusty conditions) the
filter in the base of the canister
must be replaced and the canister
inspected.
Drive Beltl
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months­
inspect drive belts for wear, fray­
ing, cracking, and tension. Belts
which are in poor condition should
be replaced immediately.
Check tension by applying
mod­
erate thumb pressure midway be­
tween pUlleys. If the center-to­
center distance between pulleys
is
13 to 16 inches, the belt should
deflect
lh inch. If the center-to­
center distance
is 7 to 10 inches,
the belt should deflect
1;4 inch.
Loose belts should be retensioned
to give the correct deflection.
Air Cleaner
Paper Ellment Type -First
12,000 miles, inspect element for
dust leaks, holes
or other damage,
replace
if necessary. If satisfac­
tory, rotate element
1800 from
originally installed position.
Re­
place element at 24,000, miles.
Element must not be washed,
oiled, tapped or cleaned with an
air hose.
Crankca.e Ventilation Filter
(located within Air Cleaner)­
If so equipped, inspect at every oil
change and replace if necessary.
Replace at least every
24,000
miles; more often under dusty
driving conditions.
Flame Arrester -Every 12,000
55
miles-Clean the arrester (located
in the base of the air cleaner) with
kerosene
or a suitable solvent. Dry
with compressed air.
The engine air cleaner should
be installed at all times unless
temporary removal
is necessary
during repair or maintenance of
the vehicle, because in the absence
of the air cleaner backfiring could
cause
fire in the engine compart­
ment.
For maximum protection spe­
cify an AC Acron air filter ele­
ment.
Fuel Filter
Replace carburetor inlet filter
element every 12 months or
12,000 miles, whichever occurs
first or, if an in-line filter
is also
used, every
24,000 miles.
Replace in-line filter every
24,000 miles.
When replacement
is necessary,
always insist on AC Acron filters.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Distributor Cam Lubricator
6 Cylinder Engine -Rotate cam
lubricator
1800 at 12,000 mile in­
tervals -Replace at
24,000 mile
intervals.
8 Cylinder Engine-Change cam
lubricator end for end at
12,000
mile intervals-Replace at 24,000
mile intervals.
Rear Axle
Standard -Every 4 months or
6,000 miles, whichever occurs
first, check lubricant level and add
lubricant, if necessary, to
fill to
level of filler plug hole.
Use SAE
80 or SAE 90 GL-5 Gear Lubri­
cant.
Positraction -Same as standard
axle
but use only the special posi­
traction lubricant available from
your Chevrolet Dealer.
Manual Transmissions
3-Speed and 4-Speed -Every
6,000 miles or 4 months-Check
at operating temperature and fill
as necessary to level of filler plug
hole with SAE
80 or SAE 90 GL-
5 Gear Lubricant.
Clutch Cross-Shaft -Every
36,000 miles or sooner if neces­
sary -Remove the plug, install a
lubrication fitting
and lubricate
with water resistant
EP Chassis
Lubricant which meets
GM Speci­
fication 6031M.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Recommendations
General Motors DEXRON®
Automatic Transmission Fluid,
part no. 1050568 and United
Delco DEXRON® Automatic
Transmission Fluid, part no. 301-
RD, which have been especially
formulated and tested for use in
your automatic transmission are
recommended.
Other automatic
transmission fluids identified with
the
mark DEXRON@ are also
recommended.
56
Check the fluid level at each
engine oil change period.
To make
an accurate fluid level check:
1. Drive car several miles, making
frequent starts and stops, to
bring transmission up to normal
operating temperature (ap­
proximately 180-190 OF) .
2.
Park car on a level surface.
3. Place selector lever
in "Park"
and leave engine running.
4. Remove dipstick and
WIpe
clean.
5. Reinsert dipstick until cap seats.
6. Remove dipstick and note read­
ing.
If oil level is at or below the
"ADD" mark on the dipstick, oil
should be added as necessary.
One pint raises the level from ADD
to FULL.
Do not overfill.
Under normal driving condi­
tions, the transmission fluid should

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine be changed every 24,000 miles. If
your car is driven extensively in
heavy city traffic during hot
weather,
or is used to pull a trailer,
change fluid every
12,000 miles.
Changing
Fluid -Remove fluid
from the transmission sump and
add approximately 1
Yz quarts U.S.
Measure ( 1 Y4 quarts Imperial
Measure) of new fluid.
(Power­
glide). For Turbo Hydra-matic 350
this fluid amount is 2.5 quarts U.S.
Measure (2.0 quarts Imperial
Measure) . Operate transmission
through all shift ranges and re­
check fluid level as described
above.
It is not necessary to remove
the pan because a drain plug
is
provided.
Powerglide Low Band Adjust­
ment-At the first transmission
fluid change, have your Chevrolet
Dealer adjust the low band. Turbo
Hydra-Matic
400-Lubri­
cation of your Turbo Hydra-matic
400 will, except for fluid capacity
and filter change listed below, fol­
low previously stated automatic
transmission recommendations.
After checking transmission fluid
level it is important that the dip­
stick be pushed all the way into
the filler tube.
Every
24,000 miles -After re­
moving fluid from the transmission
sump, approximately
7Yz pints
U.S. measure (6 pints Imperial
measure) of fresh fluid will be re­
quired to return level to proper
mark on the dipstick.
Every
24,000 miles the transmis­
sion sump filter should be re­
placed.
Transmission
Shift and Back­
drive Linkage (Manual and
57
Automatic) -Every 6,000 miles
or 4 months lubricate shift link­
age
and on manual transmission
floor controls lever contacting
faces with water resistant
EP chas­
sis lubricant which meets GM
Specification 6031M.
If vehicle is equipped with a 6
cylinder engine and
Powerglide
transmission, lubricate the throttle
valve inner lever, outer lever
and
sleeve (linkage) (at inlet mani­
fold attachment) on their respec­
tive contacting surfaces with water
resistant
EP chassis lubricant
which meets
GM Specification
GM 6031 M. Operate linkage to
evenly distribute lubricant.
Transmission Shift Linkage
(Manual and Automatic)
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months
lubricate shift linkage and
on man­
ual transmission floor controls

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine lever contacting faces with water
resistant
EP chassis lubricant
which meets
GM Specification
6031M.
Chalill
Front SUlpenllon
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months
-Lubricate 4 fittings with water
resistant
EP Chassis Lubricant
which meets
GM Specification
6031M.
Ball Joint •• hould not b. lu­
bricated un Ie •• their temp.ra­
ture I. 10°F. or higher. During
colder weather, they .hould be
allowed to warm up a. nece.­
lary before lubrication.
Steering Linkage
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months
-Lubricate 7 fittings, one at each
end of each tie rod, one at each
end of relay rod, and one at idler lever
with water resistant
EP Chas­
sis Lubricant which meets GM
Specification 6031 M.
Front Wheel Bearlngl
Every 24,000 miles-clean and
repack with a high melting point
wheel bearing lubricant.
Use wheel
bearing lubricant
GM Part No.
1051195 or equivalent. This is a
premium high melting point
lubri­
cant. When replacement is neces­
sary specify United Delco parts.
Brakes
Brake linings should be periodi­
cally inspected for wear by a quali­
fied technician. The frequency of
this inspection depends upon
driv­
ing conditions such as traffic or
58
terrain, and also the driving tech­
niques of individual owners. Your
Chevrolet Dealer
is best qualified
to advise you as to how often this
inspection should be performed.
When replacement
is required,
specify
OM and United Delco
parts.
Ma.t.r Cyllnd.r - Every 6,000
miles
or 4 months -Check ftuid
level in each reservoir and main­
tain ~" below lowest edge of each
filler opening with Delco
Hydrau­
lic Brake Fluid, Supreme No. 11.
Parking Brake Pulley, Cabl ••
and Linkage-Every 6,000 miles
or 4 months-Apply water resist­
ant EP Chassis Lubricant which
meets GM Specification
6031 M, to
parking brake cable at cable guides
and at all operating links and
levers .

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Standard Steering Gear
The steering gear is factory­
filled with steering gear lubricant.
Seasonal change of this lubricant
should not be performed
and the
housing should
not be drained-no
lubrication
is required for the life
of the steering gear.
Every 36,000 miles, the gear
should be inspected for seal leak­
age (actual solid
grease-not just
oily film).
If a seal is replaced or
the gear is overhauled, the gear
housing should be refilled with
Part No. 1051052 (13 oz. con­
tainer)
Steering ' Gear Lubricant
which meets
GM Specification GM
4673M, or its equivalent.
NOTE: Do not use EP Chassis
Lube, meeting
GM Specification
GM 6031 M, to lubricate the gear.
DO NOT OVER-FILL the gear
housing.
Power Steering Pump
Every 6,000 miles or 4 months­
Check level in pump reservoir. Fill
pump reservoir
as required with
GM Power Steering Fluid or, if
this
is not available, DEXRON®
Automatic Transmission fluid.
Oil
should be at operating tempera­
ture
and wheels in straight ahead
position when checking
or filling
operation is performed to ensure
against over-filling.
Hood Latches
Every 4 months or 6,000 miles,
whichever occurs first, lubricate
hood latch assembly
and hood
hinge assembly as follows:
1. Wipe off any accumulation of
dirt
or contamination on latch
parts.
2. Apply Lubriplate
or equivalent
to latch pilot bolts
and latch
locking plate.
3. Apply light engine oil to
all
59
pivot points in release mecha­
nism, as well as primary
and sec­
ondary latch mechanisms.
4. Lubricate hood hinges.
5. Make hood hinge
and latch
mechanism functional check to
assure the assembly is working
correctly.
Air Conditioning
Have your Chevrolet Dealer
check your Air Conditioning sys­
tem at some time during the winter
months to
be sure there has been
no loss in cooling output. During
the summer, see your Chevrolet
Dealer immediately if you suspect
the system is
not performing as it
should.
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with
a
Four Season Air Conditioning
System, the system will not operate
below ambient temperatures of
30oP. regardless of control posi­
tion.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cooling System Care
Checking the coolant level at
each engine oil change. Level
should be
3" below bottom of filler
neck when cold.
Coolant Recommendations
The inhibited year-around cool­
ant, used to
fill the cooling system
at the factory,
is a high quality so­
lution that meets General Motors
Specifications 1899-M. This fac­
tory-fill coolant solution
is formu­
lated to withstand two full calendar
years of normal operation without
draining, provided the same con­
centration of coolant
is added if the
system needs additional fluid be­
tween drain periods. The original
factory-fill coolant provides freez­
ing protection to
-20°F (-32°F
in Canada).
Every two years, the cooling sys­
tem should be serviced as follows:
1. Drain coolant, when hot,
through the radiator drain valve.
2. Close valve and add sufficient
plain· water to
fill system.
3. Run engine until normal operat­
ing temperature
is reached.
4. Drain and refill the system as
described in steps 1, 2, and 3 a
sufficient number of times until
the drained liquid
is colorless.
5. Allow system to drain com­
pletely and then close radiator
drain valve tightly.
6.
Add the necessary amount of
high quality inhibited glycol
base coolant meeting GM
Speci­
fication 1899-M to provide the
required freezing and corrosion
protection
(at least to O°F.)
7. Run engine until normal oper­
ating temperature
is reached.
8. Check and adjust level of cool­
ant after system has cooled
suffi­
ciently to remove radiator cap.
60
NOTE: Addition of supplemental
additives and other available ma­
terials which have not been specifi­
cally approved by GM are not nor­
mally required in your car. Use of
these materials will result in un­
warranted operating expense.
It is the owner's responsibility to
keep the freeze protection at a level
commensurate with the tempera­
tures which may occur in the area
in which the vehicle will be oper­
ated. Regardless of whether freez­
ing temperatures are
or are not ex­
pected, cooling system protection
should be maintained at least to
OaF to provide adequate corrosion
protection. When coolant addi­
tions are required because of cool­
ant loss or to provide additional
protection against freezing at tem­
peratures lower than
-20°F,
(-32°F in Canada), a sufficient
amount of an ethylene glycol base

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • coolant meeting GM Specification
1899 M should be used.
NOTE: Alcohol or methanol base
coolants or plain water are not rec­
ommended for your Camaro at
any time.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 15 lb. pres­
sure type, must be installed tightly,
otherwise coolant may be lost and
damage to engine may result from
overheating.
Radiator pressure
caps should be checked periodi­
cally for proper operation.
If re­
placement
is required specify AC.
Thermostat
The cooling system is protected
and controlled by a thermostat in-stalled
in the engine coolant outlet
to maintain a satisfactory operat­
ing temperature of the engine. This
thermostat
is designed for continu­
ous use through both winter and
summer and need not be changed
seasonally. When replacement
is
necessary, specify United Delco
parts.
Tires
The factory installed tires on
your car are selected to provide the
best all around tire performance
for all normal operation. When in­
lated
as recommended in the tire
inflation placard affixed to the left
door of your vehicle, they have the
load carrying capacity to operate
satisfactorily at all loads up to and
including the full rated load speci-
61
fied in that table at all normal high­
way speeds. In addition, for those
owners who prefer the utmost in
comfort, optional tire inflation
pressures may be used when loads
of four passengers or less are
carried.
For the added convenience of
owners, many Chevrolet dealers
are equipped to handle tire war­
rantyadjustments on certain makes
of tires provided on 1971 Chevro­
let cars.
TIRE TRACTION
A decrease in driving, corner­
ing, and braking traction occurs
when water, snow, ice, gravel, or
other material
is on the road sur­
face. Driving practices and car
speed should be adjusted to the
road conditions.