Bob Marlow's "Necessities Tool Box"

Robert Marlow posted the following tool kit to Virtual Vairs for an "on the road" set, this an excellent set to take to an autocross. You should have some basic tools with you for minor adjustments and in case something lets go at an event, or breaks on a friend's car. Jim Davis made a few additions based on his experience on road trips.

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After my post about carrying a spare axle and bearing assembly and the related tools, several persons asked me to post the contents of my "on the road" tool kit for Corvairs. This is it:

• 1/4"-drive socket set with 3" and 6" extensions
• 3/8"-drive sockets, 6-point: 1/2", 9/16", 3/4", 7/8"
• 3/8"-drive sockets, deep, 6-point: 9/16", 5/8", 11/16", 13/16"
• 3/8"-drive handle with 3" extension
• 1/4" to 3/8" drive adapter
• Combination wrenches: 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8", 15/16"
• John Moody's "bentwrench" (for changing fanbelts)
• 12" adjustable crescent wrench
• Long nose pliers with wire cutter
• 8" slip-joint pliers
• 5/8" cold chisel
• 12-ounce ball peen hammer
• Flare nut wrenches: 3/8" x 7/16", 1/2" x 9/16"
• Vice Grips
• 1/8" screwdriver
• Xcelite #25 screwdriver handle with #RB-1, #RB-2, #RB-3 removable slotted/phillips bits (You can buy them online here. Thanks to a reader for the tip)
• Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver with four magnetic bits
• Stubby screwdrivers: One slotted, one phillips
• 13/16" Spark plug socket, 3/8"-drive
• Oil pressure switch socket, 3/8"-drive
• Harmonic balancer/axle yoke puller
• Fuel Inlet Nut wrench
• Spark Plug thread chaser

Please note, this is not a list of essential tools for performing Corvair work at home or in the shop; rather, it is my recommendations for a tool kit that is as small as possible while enabling you to perform virtually any Corvair repair (short of catastrophic driveline failure) at the roadside.

In addition, my idea of roadside repair is that which is necessary to get you to the next exit or to the nearest source of "real" help, not necessarily permanent repairs that let you resume your journey. This is why there are very few "specialty" tools in this kit (such as brake tools). Nor are these tools necessarily the best tools for doing some jobs. Again, the goal is roadside repair out of the smallest possible box.

This kit fits in a small plastic tool box that in turn fits neatly in the trunk of a Corvair (in front of the spare tire in wagons and A/C cars) and under the back seat of a Greenbrier. It can even fit behind the seat in a Rampside, with the seat fully rearward.

For on-the-road problems that can't be patched together using these tools, you need to carry a AAA card and a cell phone. I do.

Jim Davis wrote the following response:

Robert,
A great list. I think I have used every tool on the list on mine or other Corvair away from home. I add:

• 2 each push rods, rocker arms, valve springs, retainers, and 4 keepers.
• KD valve sping compressor, and air fitting for spark plug.
• A couple new rocker arm nuts if you don't use polylocks.

Wrap in a oiled paper towel, in a zip-lock freezer bag (place in crevice above the right wheel well by the heater resister (lates)). Hope you never need it, but carry it to help some less prepared soul.

On long trips (2,000 miles or more):

• Delcotron drive end frame, fan and pully.
• Starter drive housing (These two go under the metal trim panels in the front of the trunk).
• Complete distributor and timing light (I use electronic ignition and have tried to swap out the point plate at night - yes it was the reluctor) goes back by the rear antenna and spare tire.
• Fuel pump (an addition suggested by a couple folks on VV). I'd carry it in the front of the trunk as well.
• 2 plastic wheel chocks (either side of spare tire).
• Wood 2" x 6" x 8" (back side of the battery - to put the jack on while changing the tire in the Louisiana gumbo).
• #12 Jumper wire with alligator clips to run from battery to the coil.
• Coil of heavy wire.
• Electrical tape.