By Tim Palmer, Green Country Corvair Group, March 1999 Rear View

The March tech session was held at Jim Barry's house. The weather was great. Who ever ordered it, thanks a lot. Attendance was great! Jim was a very good host with coffee and donuts. Thanks to Jim.

The tech session was on changing the door hinge bushings on Jim's 62 coupe. When we were done, Jim's door no longer sagged like a old car and the door closed very nicely. This small inexpensive repair makes a big difference in how the car feels. We learned a few tips you might use when you change your door bushings.

• Use the right tools. A socket with the proper size phillips bit is available from Sears. Note: Not all Corvairs use phillips screws. Check yours.
• Be prepared to paint the hinges and the door area behind the hinges. The factory paint job and any other paint job can't get in there without removing the door and it's hinges.
• Pack the center section of the hinge (the area between bushing) with waterproof grease to prevent moisture build up and consequently rust.
• On early models place a rag over the defroster hose opening the prevent the hinge bolts from falling down the hole.
• Cover the door edges with masking tape the prevent paint chipping.
• Get a helper! The job is much easier with two people

The question was brought up on what hinges interchange with what doors. I did a little research in the parts book and came up with the following chart: