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.________________________________________________________________________________