Original Posted By: "Larsen, Ed"
Ed,I am new to this as well but I do have some info for you.First you wrote: I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding aCorvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and theydo not appear to be easily found.I have found a few Corvair engines up here in ND. The cost at the localwrecking yard is $250.00. That is about what it will cost around thecountry. I have a friend that is in a national Corvair club and he hasconfirmed this. I also have received some information from William Wynnefrom the "Corvair Authority". His web site ishttp://www.omnispace.com/Corvair/infopack.htm.I plan on going down to Florida next month and I plan on visiting him. Ifyou would like, I can report back to you later next month.I am just starting my project myself, but I am going with a Corvair engine.I believe it will cost allot less than with a normal "certified" engine.Craig________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Auto Conversion Costs
Pietenpol-List: Auto Conversion Costs
Original Posted By: TLC62770(at)aol.com
1. I am interested in knowing what it is necessary to prepare aSubaru engine from the wrecking yard to the engine mount and the costsinvolved. 2. I would also like to know what needs to be done to prepare aCorvair engine and how it compares in cost, involvement, andperformance. 3. I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding aCorvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and theydo not appear to be easily found.4. I suppose you find a Subaru in the junkyard, right? Is itbetter to buy one that is already re-built with the reduction drive,carbs, ignition, etc. I read a horror story on the net about a guy whobuilt a Christavia MK 1 and ended up spending close to US $6000 on aSubaru engine. Wouldn't you be able to pick up a good used Continentalor Lycoming for less than this? 5. Also, if you do find a Subaru or a Corvair engine, how muchwould you expect to pay?6. What would you expect to pay for a Continental C-85?7. How about a used Lycoming (125-150 hp)?8. What is the best way to find a good used Aircraft engine? Thenewspaper (there are rarely aircraft entries in the classified section)?The net? (where) Trade-a-plane? Help.I would appreciate any input anyone might have. You can gather from myquestions that I am new here. I need help!Thanks, Ed Larsen________________________________________________________________________________
1. I am interested in knowing what it is necessary to prepare aSubaru engine from the wrecking yard to the engine mount and the costsinvolved. 2. I would also like to know what needs to be done to prepare aCorvair engine and how it compares in cost, involvement, andperformance. 3. I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding aCorvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and theydo not appear to be easily found.4. I suppose you find a Subaru in the junkyard, right? Is itbetter to buy one that is already re-built with the reduction drive,carbs, ignition, etc. I read a horror story on the net about a guy whobuilt a Christavia MK 1 and ended up spending close to US $6000 on aSubaru engine. Wouldn't you be able to pick up a good used Continentalor Lycoming for less than this? 5. Also, if you do find a Subaru or a Corvair engine, how muchwould you expect to pay?6. What would you expect to pay for a Continental C-85?7. How about a used Lycoming (125-150 hp)?8. What is the best way to find a good used Aircraft engine? Thenewspaper (there are rarely aircraft entries in the classified section)?The net? (where) Trade-a-plane? Help.I would appreciate any input anyone might have. You can gather from myquestions that I am new here. I need help!Thanks, Ed Larsen________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: RE: Auto Conversion Costs
Original Posted By: Craig & Shari Hanson [SMTP:chanson(at)polarcomm.com]
Craig, Thank you for the feedback. I would be interested in any newinformation you discover after your trip to Florida regarding theCorvair engine. Thanks. Have a good trip.Best regards,Ed Larsen
Craig, Thank you for the feedback. I would be interested in any newinformation you discover after your trip to Florida regarding theCorvair engine. Thanks. Have a good trip.Best regards,Ed Larsen
Pietenpol-List: Re: Auto Conversion Costs
Original Posted By: Kyle Ray
I'll stick with what I know, ie A/C engines.On Tue, 29 Sep 1998, Larsen, Ed wrote:> 6. What would you expect to pay for a Continental C-85?Depends on what you want. I bought mine for $1000 and it basically got methe case, valve train, gears and mags. Everything else will be replacedwith either O-200 used or new parts. I've seen half time engines for aboutthe $3000-$5000 and O/H'd for ~$7000. If all else is the same, you mightas well get an O-200. They weigh the same and you get 15 hp extra. You canmake a C-85 put out 100 hp, but you will need to add an O-200 cam, crank,rods, pistons, valve springs and carb. In my case, I bought some usedO-2oo cylinders and pistons to replace the worn C-85 ones, I need a newcrank and the carb that was on the engine is an O-200 model.The onlyadditional cost to me for the extra 15 hp is the cam. > 7. How about a used Lycoming (125-150 hp)?Stick with a Continental if you can. The parts prices are very reasonablelike $1300 for a new crank, $700 for factory new jugs, $350 for a new camand even a rear accessort cover can be had for $450. This is 1/2 to 1/4the cost of Lyc parts. O-235 crank is $4300.> 8. What is the best way to find a good used Aircraft engine? The> newspaper (there are rarely aircraft entries in the classified section)?> The net? (where) Trade-a-plane? Help.Check out http://www.barnstormers.com , http://www.avweb.com , and ofcourse, Trade-A-Plane.> I would appreciate any input anyone might have. You can gather from my> questions that I am new here. I need help!> > Thanks, > > Ed Larsen> ________________________________________________________________________________
I'll stick with what I know, ie A/C engines.On Tue, 29 Sep 1998, Larsen, Ed wrote:> 6. What would you expect to pay for a Continental C-85?Depends on what you want. I bought mine for $1000 and it basically got methe case, valve train, gears and mags. Everything else will be replacedwith either O-200 used or new parts. I've seen half time engines for aboutthe $3000-$5000 and O/H'd for ~$7000. If all else is the same, you mightas well get an O-200. They weigh the same and you get 15 hp extra. You canmake a C-85 put out 100 hp, but you will need to add an O-200 cam, crank,rods, pistons, valve springs and carb. In my case, I bought some usedO-2oo cylinders and pistons to replace the worn C-85 ones, I need a newcrank and the carb that was on the engine is an O-200 model.The onlyadditional cost to me for the extra 15 hp is the cam. > 7. How about a used Lycoming (125-150 hp)?Stick with a Continental if you can. The parts prices are very reasonablelike $1300 for a new crank, $700 for factory new jugs, $350 for a new camand even a rear accessort cover can be had for $450. This is 1/2 to 1/4the cost of Lyc parts. O-235 crank is $4300.> 8. What is the best way to find a good used Aircraft engine? The> newspaper (there are rarely aircraft entries in the classified section)?> The net? (where) Trade-a-plane? Help.Check out http://www.barnstormers.com , http://www.avweb.com , and ofcourse, Trade-A-Plane.> I would appreciate any input anyone might have. You can gather from my> questions that I am new here. I need help!> > Thanks, > > Ed Larsen> ________________________________________________________________________________
Pietenpol-List: Re: Auto Conversion Costs
Original Posted By: steve(at)byu.edu
I'll pass along what I've learned over the past few months about finding and rebuilding Corvair engines. Keep in mind, however, that I have not yet rebuiltmy engine, so I have yet to learn a lot more.>2. I would also like to know what needs to be done to prepare a>Corvair engine and how it compares in cost, involvement, and>performance.As with any other aspect of Pietenpol construction, I like to repeat the mantra"follow the plans". BHP composed a brief, but complete, description of how heconverted Corvair engines. This was reprinted in a BPAN back issue (number 31,without photos), and I understand it is also published in the Builders Manual sold by Don Pietenpol. His methods were to stay as close to stock as possible,putting due confidence in the capabilities of GM engineers. The Corvair engineis said to be an aircraft engine that was converted for use in a car, so one only needs to convert it back again. As for cost, there's been an ongoing discussion on the "Virtual Vair's" newsgroup ( http://www.corvair.org/vvairs/ ) lately about costs to rebuild a motor. Most agree that it's between $2000 and $3000 to do a complete engine overhaul the "Right Way", and the costs depends upon how much work one farms out to the machine shop and the extent of parts replacements. Parts are cheapcompared to aircraft engine parts; you can still get a NEW (NOS) GM Corvair cylinder head for $250, and used go for about $20. Many experts have echoed the sentiment that (with some guidance specific to air-cooled engines) this isamong the simplest to rebuild of all production automobile engines. Since mostCorvair owners do all their own work, there is a vast, loose-knit network of helpful Corvair fanatics, and there are a few excellent books that guide you through the process. Even the local Corvair shops have encouraged me to do thewhole thing myself, though they want to sell me the "right" parts.It has been said that a stock 80hp Corvair engine provides performance equivalent to a Continental 65, but without the vibration. Most people use 110hp motors; the most common and reliable. You can hop them up to over 200hp,but you trade off reliability and you lose the ability to find parts readily. I've been told that you get better climb performance by increasing the horses,but there's really no appreciable gain in speed. Of course, in direct drive configuration the output is considerably less than these maximum hp numbers. People shy away from the stock engines that produce more horsepower (up to 180)because of their propensity to drop valve seats. I've been told, however, thatthis is only due to poor maintenance.>3. I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding a>Corvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and they>do not appear to be easily found.The most effective way to find a Corvair engine is to contact your local CORSArepresentative http://www.corvair.org/ . They all have a bunch of engines cluttering their garages, and they all know of several other people with a bunch more engines. Corvair drivers have a habit of replacing worn engines with running used engines instead of rebuilding their old ones, so they accumulate.That said, I found my Corvair in the local classified newspaper (The Recycler http://www.recycler.com/ ). Here in Southern CA, on any given week there are two or three engines listed, most not running, for about $100. Decent runningengines fetch about $400, often with the car still attached and drivable. My engine was $80, not presently running but the crank turned easily. After disassembly, everything looked great except for the main and rod bearings. Bythe way, I completely disassembled this engine with only a set of deep-well sockets and a vise grip (to keep the cylinder head studs from turning out of the case while removing the upper head nuts). Well, that's about all I know so far.--Peter>3. I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding a>Corvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and they>do not appear to be easily found.________________________________________________________________________________
I'll pass along what I've learned over the past few months about finding and rebuilding Corvair engines. Keep in mind, however, that I have not yet rebuiltmy engine, so I have yet to learn a lot more.>2. I would also like to know what needs to be done to prepare a>Corvair engine and how it compares in cost, involvement, and>performance.As with any other aspect of Pietenpol construction, I like to repeat the mantra"follow the plans". BHP composed a brief, but complete, description of how heconverted Corvair engines. This was reprinted in a BPAN back issue (number 31,without photos), and I understand it is also published in the Builders Manual sold by Don Pietenpol. His methods were to stay as close to stock as possible,putting due confidence in the capabilities of GM engineers. The Corvair engineis said to be an aircraft engine that was converted for use in a car, so one only needs to convert it back again. As for cost, there's been an ongoing discussion on the "Virtual Vair's" newsgroup ( http://www.corvair.org/vvairs/ ) lately about costs to rebuild a motor. Most agree that it's between $2000 and $3000 to do a complete engine overhaul the "Right Way", and the costs depends upon how much work one farms out to the machine shop and the extent of parts replacements. Parts are cheapcompared to aircraft engine parts; you can still get a NEW (NOS) GM Corvair cylinder head for $250, and used go for about $20. Many experts have echoed the sentiment that (with some guidance specific to air-cooled engines) this isamong the simplest to rebuild of all production automobile engines. Since mostCorvair owners do all their own work, there is a vast, loose-knit network of helpful Corvair fanatics, and there are a few excellent books that guide you through the process. Even the local Corvair shops have encouraged me to do thewhole thing myself, though they want to sell me the "right" parts.It has been said that a stock 80hp Corvair engine provides performance equivalent to a Continental 65, but without the vibration. Most people use 110hp motors; the most common and reliable. You can hop them up to over 200hp,but you trade off reliability and you lose the ability to find parts readily. I've been told that you get better climb performance by increasing the horses,but there's really no appreciable gain in speed. Of course, in direct drive configuration the output is considerably less than these maximum hp numbers. People shy away from the stock engines that produce more horsepower (up to 180)because of their propensity to drop valve seats. I've been told, however, thatthis is only due to poor maintenance.>3. I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding a>Corvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and they>do not appear to be easily found.The most effective way to find a Corvair engine is to contact your local CORSArepresentative http://www.corvair.org/ . They all have a bunch of engines cluttering their garages, and they all know of several other people with a bunch more engines. Corvair drivers have a habit of replacing worn engines with running used engines instead of rebuilding their old ones, so they accumulate.That said, I found my Corvair in the local classified newspaper (The Recycler http://www.recycler.com/ ). Here in Southern CA, on any given week there are two or three engines listed, most not running, for about $100. Decent runningengines fetch about $400, often with the car still attached and drivable. My engine was $80, not presently running but the crank turned easily. After disassembly, everything looked great except for the main and rod bearings. Bythe way, I completely disassembled this engine with only a set of deep-well sockets and a vise grip (to keep the cylinder head studs from turning out of the case while removing the upper head nuts). Well, that's about all I know so far.--Peter>3. I am also interested to know exactly how you go about finding a>Corvair engine. I have called around to the local junk yards, and they>do not appear to be easily found.________________________________________________________________________________