Couple pics of my 65 Corvair

[brrymnvette]

It's been a 12+ year projec that rarely gets worked on. After seeing the progress of TonyL's it's made me want to actually start working on it again. I was thinking if I started a thread it might push me to start on it. I had it out last summer and drove it up the street. I've got to put a regulator on the fuel sys b/c the pump was flooding the carb.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


If you've got some custom or nice restored vair pics POST EM!!!!!!!!!

[Young Gun]

Do it!...make that thing fly...Im a fan of the corvairs, kinda makes me wish I had looked into them before...good luck man!

[brrymnvette]

I'd love to do it with either set of these wheels.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/d8cf_1JPG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/1a19_1JPG-1.jpg

and eventually EFI.

Thinking blue or black on the color.

[Blaster11]

Is that an olds motor? What size?

[TonyL]

Sweet man, Get that sucker running. It's gonna take lots of pro-touring vairs to earn some respect from the magazine guys. They still think of vairs and their owners as "weird". But now in the age of fuel economy and cornering performance they are the perfect choice for many new enthusiasts. Build it and they will come!

[brrymnvette]

Old 455. Tornado drivetrain= rear end, trans, and motor.

[SPECWARSQUID]

If you've got some custom or nice restored vair pics POST EM!!!!!!!!!

The Black Monza is mine the rest are ones I have come across.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/pictures986-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/pictures991-1.jpg

From the Miamisburg Ohio cruise a few years ago
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/01/pictures444-1.jpg

From Woodward Dreamcruise

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/Vair-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/V8Vair-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_1850-1.jpg

Woodward is awesome.....been 6 times now

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/th_100_19281-1.jpg (http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/ChimChim3/Woodward%20Dream%20Cruise%202006/?action=view&current=100_1928-1.flv)

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[TonyL]

you want pics?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[TonyL]

Then there is Solo2r's car..

[brrymnvette]

I like that.

[TonyL]

oh. I got my new spoiler on yesterday. They said the 69 camaro one was too angled to fit. Guess not.

Just 34 bucks!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[TonyL]

Wait. That engine looks to have a TBI system, Not a carburetor ?

[SPECWARSQUID]

I like this engine.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures311-1.jpg

This "was" a killer V8 vair. I forget the owners name. I want to say it is Charlie something or another. Anyways the last I heard the car was severely damaged during a road race but is being rebuilt.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures035-1.jpg

This vair is a bit more full on race for me but i still like it. I gotta thing for Mini Lites I guess.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures310-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures314-1.jpg

And here is the route I'm going. I'm turning my Corvair into a Pro-Touring Yenko Stinger clone.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures316-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures467-1.jpg

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[formula98]

Look at all of them! Great looking cars......

[TonyL]

I like this engine.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/pictures311-1.jpg





WANT.

[MBD02]

Here is my 1966 Corvair with a Crown Conversion kit.

http://webpages.charter.net/bdellinger/index.htm

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2484526

[brrymnvette]

Wait. That engine looks to have a TBI system, Not a carburetor ?

It's a holley projection system I got off ebay for $200. I could never get the fuel pump to turn on so I took it back off for the carb again.

[SPECWARSQUID]

you want pics?


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Hey Tony,

I take you know this Yellow Vair personally? If so then maybe you can shed some light onto the electric fan setup and help to settle the old arguement between stock mechanical Covair fan versus the electric fan. Are there any draw back to the electric fan?

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[TonyL]

Let me put it to you this way. The car is from the reno area. It was trailered to Sacramento. In cool weather. This type electric fan technically does work. Just badly. These fans are meant to pull air not push it. this is why they (chevy) went with a centrifugal type blower system. The CFM rated for the electric fans is for pulling air. When their is an engine 3 inches away from the fan surface, the air cavitates, and the fan becomes useless.

The owner said that the fan works for cruising around, but not for hard running. Someone needs to come up with a shaft driven squirrel cage fan design like a swamp cooler uses.

like this prototype.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/cammer1-1.jpg

I'd kill to have that engine. 280 hp. twin cam corvair engine.

[SPECWARSQUID]

Someone needs to come up with a shaft driven squirrel cage fan design like a swamp cooler uses.

like this prototype.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/cammer1-1.jpg

I'd kill to have that engine. 280 hp. twin cam corvair engine.

Perhaps it's a good thing I work for a major HVAC engineering company. :woot:

Yeah I love that engine. Do you have any specifics? Like what it was called, it's performance and how many were made?

Finding one of those engines would, for me, be akin to finding a "Ram Air V" engine for my Goats.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[SPECWARSQUID]

Also worth mention. Regarding the yellow Corvair's engine setup....I love the Serpentine setup. I plan to incorporate this into my plans as well. Really I'm surprised that more Vair owners haven't gone this route to eliminate belt tossing.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[TonyL]

the engines specifics from Corvaircenter.com

"The Astro-I was equipped with this experimental Corvair engine, with a bore and stroke of 3.56 and 2.94 inches, displacing 176 cubic inches. It was air-cooled, but unlike the production engine, used three tandem centrifugal blowers on a common shaft above the engine to blow cooling air over the cylinder blocks. Designed as a high output unit, the engine produced 240 horsepower at 7200 RPM. Specific power was 1.4 horsepower per cubic inch!

Each side of the engine was fed air and fuel by using a Weber style 3-throat carburetor on a special light alloy head with a single overhead camshaft. The cylinder heads had nearly hemispherical combustion chambers and inclined valves. Camshafts were driven by Gilmer-style belts from the crankshaft."

[TonyL]

Also worth mention. Regarding the yellow Corvair's engine setup....I love the Serpentine setup. I plan to incorporate this into my plans as well. Really I'm surprised that more Vair owners haven't gone this route to eliminate belt tossing.

Shay
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Semper Fortis


More vair owners would use a serpentine setup if a way to turn the fan via a shaft could be invented. There *has* to be a way.

That or a whole new blower needs to be thought up. Like grafting a Porsche shroud on a vair.

[SPECWARSQUID]

More vair owners would use a serpentine setup if a way to turn the fan via a shaft could be invented. There *has* to be a way.



I would think a serpentine belt will translate a 90 degree bend just as well as a stock belt, if not better.

I working on some new blower fan ideas right now. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Here are some pictures that RocketRod posted of the Power Tour over in the Non-Racing events section.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[showme]

Cool project.I'd like to see it finnished.Allways wanted to drop a toro or eldo motor/tranny in the back of a small car! It should be fun.

[SPECWARSQUID]

just caught this Vair at the local cruise-in. Never did find the owner to talk to him before he left. I'm assuming it's a Buick.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_3007-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_3008-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_3014-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_3011-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_3010-1.jpg

This wasn't on the Vair but I liked it.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/100_3030-1.jpg

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[Roger Poirier]

Very cooooooool thread! Keep it going guys. Interesting read....

R.P.

[JohnLClark]

I have always loved the oddballs, like the Corvair. I was wondering about the car pics Specwarsquid posted. I know he didn't get any info, so I throw it out there. Do anybody make a conversion kit to mount a V8 in the back, like the car shown. I know there are conv kits, like the Crown kit, that place the engine in the back seat area, but, I don't feel comfortable with the engine that close to my back. How safe is it if you are rear ended?
Prices for the Corvairs are really cheap around here. I have seen running examples, that just need a little work for around 1k. It seems like a low cost way to get started in PT. I have thought about doing one, with a lightweight GM V8, or Buick GN with a corvair 4 speed with a Gear Vendors overdrive.

[SPECWARSQUID]

AHhhh, another convert.....our army grows

Welcome brother to the religion of Corvairs


John

There might be a kit, but I've never seen one. I have seen a SBC to Corvair transaxle adapter, but not in actual car. And you can buy tubular engine mount crossmembers from Hot Rod companies. I too would not like a Crown of Kelmark conversion. One becuase I have kids I like to take riding and two because I'm 6'3" so I need all the leg room I can get.

If you look at the engine bay pics of the last vair. He's using 2 stock corvair engine mounts used on either side where as the stock corvair setup is only one mount located at the rear of the bay in line with the Liscense plate area. Then it just looks like he's using square metal tubing stock to locate the engine.

I believe that the engine is a Buick all Aluminum 215. I have heard of this conversion before but I had not seen it in person. Hard to see but it looks like he's using a stock Corvair Transaxel. Which mean that he would have to get the motor to run backwards. There is another guy I've seen on the internet who did this swap with with a Buick 3.8 V6.

His name is Jeff Brekke

http://www.corvaircorsa.com/brekke01.html

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/brakkesp-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/brekke-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/brekkeeng-1.jpg

The first thing Corvair purists will tell you is that engines in the back other than the originals will make the car ride and handle like ass. Of course a follow up question will reveal that they've never ridin in the type.

I've talked to Jeff and he's said his car handles great.

Corviars are a extremely affordable vehicle to get in to the hobby with.

Here are some:

http://www.corvairproject.com/cgi-bin/corvair_ms.cgi

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[TonyL]

indeed, it's just an adapter plate on the stock transaxle and a reverse rotation engine. That's all it takes. Move the battery up front, the radiator, and you've counter balanced some of the weight. Now, mount a LS motor back there, and it weighs in only 100 lbs more than a stock vair engine! with 300% more power!

They are also making 5 speed T-5 kits for these cars also. Vairs are slowly creeping into the main stream. Hot rod asked, "whats the next big thing?" Here it is.

[SPECWARSQUID]

Although I'm not a subscriber to the Mi-engine setup, I do like how Archibald Evans laid out his radiator system. By ducting it out through the hood.

More on this vair:
http://www.corvaircorsa.com/evans01.html

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/evans02-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/evans09-1.jpg

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[TonyL]

gotta give him props on the most unique front end redo to date. His "super car" is going to set the corvair world on it's ear. Big fat tires out back and a custom 4 link.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
Learn more here (http://v8vairs.com/images/EvansArch/archibaldevans.htm)

[showa]

You guys got me looking at Corvairs now....Have you seen this fan setup before ???
http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/chevy/crvr66/crvr66pp.htm

[SPECWARSQUID]

You guys got me looking at Corvairs now....Have you seen this fan setup before ???
http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/chevy/crvr66/crvr66pp.htm

looks like a Porche style unit

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[monza]

I'm a bit lazy on takin' pictures here is a link to some pics of my Corvair and the Site has tons and tons of Corvair info:
http://www.corvaircorsa.com/01-15.html

[ProTouring442]

Anyone ever put the whole Porsche 911 engine/transaxle in a 'Vair?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[brrymnvette]

Back from the dead.

Got the fuel system back to the way it was before the TBI setup. Hope to fire it this weekend then start on the front suspension/disk brake swap.

I'll have a video if it fires up. :)

[TonyL]

Cool!

[horsewidower]

This is sooo cool. My first car was a 66 Corvair. Bought it for $100 cause it didn't run. Took it home, noticed that it had a hole in the gas line, spliced it and fired it up. Damn I had a great time with that car. Put a 4 barrel on it with headers. It would shoot flames out the exhaust (and the carb, unfortunately)

I just showed a picture of it to my 15 year-old, he likes it. Maybe we can do it again.

I have an NASA American Iron racing turbo 4 mustang that I'm finishing. I think it would be great to make one of these and really shake them up.

Bob H

[ponjohn]

A friend of my uncles has one with a intercooled turbo, makes 22lbs of boost with alcohol inject. He autocrosses it.

[curly]

Off subject but don't you love when deals pop up and it just 'not the right time'? There is a '66 Corvair for sale on one of the local boards that I read... very good shape but I just have too many projects that need to be finished before I start a restore/buildup.

Keep the updates coming!

[brrymnvette]

Well, got the fuel system finished mostly. Primed the pump and tried to fire it. Didn't want to fire, I think I'm going to have to pull the carb and go through it. I think the floats are stuck from sitting for a year. So, hopefully this Sat I will have video of it running, as I ran out of time last weekend. My whole 3 hours of free time a weekend is getting old.

[TonyL]

I had the same problem with mine. The little brass needle gets stuck in the closed position.

I still remember the day i over came that problem, I recorded it too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXFnvbxDNuM

But im sure a v8 sounds cooler!

/is envious.

[SPECWARSQUID]

"E's" Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPkByKChdEc&mode=related&search=Corvair

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[brrymnvette]

Well, I have good news and bad news.

Good news: Got the thing fired up and running, ran great until......

Bad news: Something must've gotten dropped down the intake when I had the carb pulled off. About 30 seconds after I fired it, we could hear something being bounced from cyl to cyl it sounded like. So, I killed it and started pulling plugs. Plug #7 and #6 were smashed closed, #6 had it's porcelin broken off it. So, I pulled the intake and found nothing, then pulled the drivers head and found a perfectly clean head and block. Going to pull the pass head this weekend. So, far nothing, no metal parts or whatnot.


I had the camera ready for vid, but was to pissed/aggrevated to take a vid after the noise started.

[TonyL]

oh man that sucks. Hope it's not too busted up. Take aftermath pics.

[brrymnvette]

oh man that sucks. Hope it's not too busted up. Take aftermath pics.

Will do. My pops was standing there with me and asked me what I'm going to do now. I told him wait another 15 years until I feel like messing with it again. I was frustrated. Took a drink of water and pulled it apart. He was like that was a fast 15 years.

[SPECWARSQUID]

I know how you feel. That's why I have a 96 Camaro sitting on the back burner for a year now.

But hopefully now with more time, that and the Corvair will get more attention.

Shay
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Semper Fortis