
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ENGINE OIL REQUIREMENTS
Engine Oil Recommendations
Use only "first line" oils which, according to the
label on the can, are (1) intended for service MS, and
(2) pass car makers' tests
(including
General Motors
Standard GM 6041-M. The
oil
change interval, as rec
ommended in this section on
oils,
is based on the regular
use of oil of this quality of
engine oil. The majority of
the suitable oils currently
available are multi-viscosity
(e.g., 10W-30) products.
NOTE: Non-detergent and
other low quality oils are
specifically not recommended. The use of proper engine
oils and oil change intervals are your best assurance of
continued reliability and performance from your Corvair
engine.
The use of "break-in" oils, "tune-up" compounds,
"frictIon-reducing" compounds, etc., in your Corvair
engine are not recommended. However, there are
additive supplements available that can be helpful
under certain conditIons. For example, if higher deter
gency is required to reduce varnish and sludge deposits,
a thoroughly tested
and approved concentrate-"High
Detergency Concentrate" * -is available at your Corvair 'or "Engine Oil Supplement"'
33
dealer who can advise you regarding its use.
NOTE: When checking or adding oil, be care
ful to avoid spilling or dropping oil onto the
engine shrouding .
Recommended Oil Viscosity: The following chart will
serve
as a guide in selecting the proper oil viscosity.
The
proper viscosity helps assure good cold starting
by reducing friction and thus increasing cranking speed.
ANTICIPATED RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY OIL
TEMP. SINGLE VISCOSITY MULTI-VISCOSITY Above Freezing (+32° F.) SAE-20W SAE-10W-30 Below Freezing and Above 0° F. SAE-10W SAE-10W-30 Below 0° F. SAE-5W SAE-5W-20
NOTE: When changing oi/ consider the anticipoted temperatures for the next 4 months.
SAE 5W and 5W·20 oils are not recommended for sustained high speed driving.
SAE 30 and SAE· 20W-40 oils may be used at temperatures above 90°F. SAE 5W-30 oils may be used at temperatures be/ow 32°F . SAE IOW-40 oils may be used at temperatures between 0 and 90~F.
Checking Oil Level: The engine oil should be main
tained at proper level. The best time to check it is
before operating the engine or as the last step in a
fuel stop.
This will allow the oil accumulation in the
engine to drain back to the crankcase. To ch~eck the

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION
The time or mileage intervals on the following pages
are intended as a general guide for establishing regular
maintenance and lubrication periods for your Corvair.
Sustained heavy duty or high speed operations or oper-
A WORD ABOUT VEHICLE EMISSIONS
All new 1968 Corvairs are certified by the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare as
conforming to the requirements of the regulations for
the Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles
and New Motor Vehicle Engines.
General Motors has developed control systems which
are highly effective in reducing undesirable crankcase
and exhaust emissions. It is very important that the owner make certain that the engine is serviced regularly
in order to maintain its efficiency and to keep emissions
below maximum allowable limits.
The emission control system on
your 1968 Corvair is
relatively easy to maintain, requiring only specific serv
ices as recommended by Chevrolet. To function properly,
this system must be inspected periodically and engine
tune-up performed at specified intervals by qualified
repairmen. For ready reference, pertinent information regarding ignition timing and idle speed and fuel mix
ture specifications is shown on a sticker affixed under
the hood of your vehicle. Following the prescribed main-
37
ation under adverse conditions may necessitate more
frequent servicing. For specific recommendations for con
ditions under which you use your vehicle, consult your
authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
tenance services
will help assure cleaner air and will
provide better running, longer lasting engines for greater
all-around satisfaction, economy and performance.
POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (P.C.V')
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation system, which is
standard equipment on your vehicle, prevents emission
of gases from the crankcase. The P .C.V. system connects
the crankcase and intake manifold of the engine and
crankcase gases are returned through this system to the
combustion
chamber where they are burned. Periodic
inspection
and required servicing of your P.C.V. system
assures a cleaner, better-performing, longer-lasting
engine. A plugged P.C.V. system results in a loss of
crankcase ventilation which can cause condensation of
blow-by gases in the crankcase, resulting in the forma
tion of acids, sludge build-up and oil dilution. This also
results in
an increase in exhaust emissions due to car
buretor enrichment. Every 12,000 miles or 12 months,
whichever occurs first, the PCV valve should be replaced.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Also, all hoses, fittings and the inlet air filter should be
inspected, cleaned and replciced if necessary.
NOTE: If the positive crankcase ventilator valve should
become
dogged, the engine idle will be adversely
affect~d. Therefore, if the engine idle becomes too slow
or rough, the ventilator valve should be checked before
any carburetor ad;ustments are made to compensate for
the trouble.
AIR INJECTION REACTOR (A.I.R.l
The Air
Injection Reactor system is designed to re
duce .air pollution caused by exhaust emissions. It is entirely separate from the Positive Crankcase Ventilating
system. The Air
Injection Reactor system operates by
oxidizing (or burning) the
hydrocarbons and carbon
monoxide as they are expelled from the combustion
chamber into the exhaust. A positive displacement air
pump, driven by the engine, compresses clean frltered
air, which
is distributed and injected at the exhaust part
of each cylinder. This fresh air mixes with the hot exhaust
gases and promotes further oxidation (or burning) of
both hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by converting
some
of them to carbon dioxide and water. This does not
reduce the danger of inhaling carbon monoxide in con
frned areas. See page 7 for carbon monoxide warning.
Supplementing
the air pump a special carburetor and
distributor plus related components are required.
The Air
Injection Reactor system should have the A.I.R. pump filter serviced and the drive belt inspected
for
wear and tension every 12 months or 12,000 miles,
38
whichever occurs frrst. In addition, complete effectiveness
of the system, as well as full power and performance,
depends upon idle speed, ignition timing, and idle fuel
mixture being
set according to specifrcation. A quality
tune-up which includes
these adjustments should be per
formed periodically to assure normal engine efficiency,
operation and performance.
STEERING GEAR
Every 36,000 miles -Re
move frller plug and
check lubricant level. If
necessary, add water
resistant EP chassis lu
bricant which meets
General Motors Specifr
cation GM 6031 M to
bring to level
of frller
plug hole.
FAN BELT
Every 6000 miles-check condition of belt. Check belt
guide to belt clearance. Belt guide ciearance should
be approximately 1/16" after belt is tensioned.
(See page 49). Retensioning a belt unnecessarily
may result
in premature belt fciilure.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE INTERVAL
Change engine oil each 4 months. If more than
6000 miles are driven in a 4-month period, change oil

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine AIR CLEANER
CAUTION: In addition to its function of filtering air
drawn into
the engine through the carburetor, the air
cleaner also acts as
a flame arrester in the event the
engine backfires. Because backfiring
may cause fire in
the engine compartment, the air cleaner should be in
stalled at all times unless its removal is necessary for
repair or maintenance services.
Paper Element Type
The oil-wetted paper element is a long-life efficient air
cleaner and should not require replacement before
24,000 miles except under extreme adverse condi
tions .
Inspect air cleaner at 12,000 miles for dust leaks,
holes
or other damage, replace if necessary . If
condition is satisfactory, rotate element 1800 from
originally installed position. Replace
at 24,000 miles.
Under extreme
adverse conditions inspect every 6,000 miles.
Oil Bath Type
Every 12,000 miles-Inspect and clean if necessary.
Refill with SAE 50 engine oil when lowest anticipated
temperature is above freezing; use SAE 20 if below
freezing.
BATTERY (ENERGIZER)
Every 6,000 miles-Clean and oil battery terminals and
oil felt washer. Check fluid level frequently. Keep
filled with distilled water to level of split ring in
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vent tube. The electrolyte level indicator in the cap
of one cell will glow if the fluid level is low. In this
case each cell should be checked.
CAUTION: Since normal battery or Energizer
chemical action generates hydrogen gas which
is highly explosive when mixed with air, never
expose the battery to an open flame or electric
spark. Also, avoid getting battery fluid, which
is a sulfuric acid solution, on skin, on clothing
or other fabrics, or on painted surfaces . Eye
protection should
be worn while working on the
battery for
any reason.
DISTRIBUTOR CAM
LUBRICATOR
Every 12,000 miles
Rotate cam lubricator
180 degrees.
Replace lubricator at
24,000 mile intervals.
The cam lubricator should
not
be oiled; damage to
ignition points may result
if
proper lubricant is not
used
on cam. 8RE,AKEIt PlATE ATTACHtNG SCREWS