Original Posted By: "mail.execpc.com"
> -----Original Message-----> Peter P Frantz> Sent: Monday, October 19, 1998 10:33 AM> To: Pietenpol Discussion> Subject: Corvair engine codes and event announcement>>> For you corvair powered flight enthusiasts, here's a little guidance for> distinguishing a 110hp engine from others which may be less> desirable. The> engine suffix codes listed below refer to a number which was> stamped on the> crankcase of every corvair engine on the date that it was assembled for a> particular car. The number appears on the same surface that the> blower housing> (fan shroud) is attached to, and it is in plain view (under years of old> grease) just behind the area where you will find the oil filler> hole. It's> behind and to the left of the distributor, if you're looking at> an engine from> the back of a car. The following text is pasted from a letter I> received after> having trouble identifying engines.>> Before I paste the letter, I just thought I'd mention that for> you folks in So.> Cal., the greatest corvair show (and swap meet) on earth takes> place in just a> few weeks in Palm Springs. I've been told there are often many> whole engines> and countless parts available from people whose wives have> demanded they clean> out the garage. Here's a link:> http://www.integrators.com/sdcc/GWFBT&SM.html>> Here's how to pick a 110 hp engine, quoted from Brent at the> Corvair Center> Forum:> "fully half the Corvairs built from 1965-67 have a 110 HP> Powerglide and the> suffix code for this engine is RH-> its common and a good engine. A worn out core that still runs is> worth a couple> hundred dollars, a really good> used one is worth about a grand. I'd buy the best you can find,> its cheaper in> the long run.>> T1214RH would be an example, all will have a number like this-the number> indicates the date of engine> manufacture, in this case, December 14 of whatever year->> Powerglide engines are superior rebuild candidates generally> speaking, as the> automatic limits the abuse> potential. Things like connecting rods have significantly greater> service life> left in them on Powerglides of> equivalent history to manual transmission engines of similar type.>> The RH code means also that the engine had neither factory Air> Conditioning,> nor an Air Injection Reactor- this> is a plus, as ( the latter especially, ) they both increase> engine temperatures> somewhat.>> Normal lifespan of this engine in normal service is 150,000 ish> miles. Many> have gone twice that far. Also,> many 1966 versions of this engine have the 95 HP cam, as> Chevrolet apparently> swapped it in production for a> while->> here are all the suffix codes for 95-110 hp engines for 1965-1969>> RA,RD,RE,RF,RG,RH,RJ,RK,RR,RS,RU,RV,RW,RX,QO,QP,QS,AC,AD,AE>> most combinations are oddballs, like AIR or A/C combos, or manual> transmission> jobs.>> Theres not too much risk of getting a 140/145 cid engine in a> later case, but> things can happen.">> --Peter>________________________________________________________________________________