1 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 10:41 AM)

Topic: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Now that the 2014 PNW is finished (and so is our motor), I thought I would reflect on the journey that is Lemons racing. March 2014, the topic of racing comes up at work and stories flow freely (Baja, Super Bike, etc.). We realize we don't have that kind of money and don't want the stress. Lemons racing is our ticket to fame and fortune, well at least fame. Sifting through CL ads and discussing the essence (NO BMWs, POS status, etc.) of Lemons. We looked at a Legend and found out not all people do car maintenance (if there is no oil on the dipstick, do not buy the car), the owner stated "that's an easy fix". The second car we looked at was the Corvair, I had one in college, so I knew how expensive and rare they are. Another team member took his girlfriend out on their first date in one. We were sold. We found the car in a barn, it had not been registered since 1980, and did not have a radiator. 

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXZkQxMEN6V2NWTlE

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Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

and did not have a radiator.

Well, yeah, air cooled engines will do that to you. wink

Fourteen time loser. You'd think I'd know better by now.

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Don't tell them...

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

4 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 10:40 AM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Next step was to hook up a battery and shoot some starter fluid down the carbs and VROOOM! Paid the man and dragged the car onto the trailer, homeward bound.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXQ0Y0T25uV1F0YzA

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5 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-17 09:56 AM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Once home, we worked on getting the car running. After cleaning out the remnants of the mouse inhabitants we acquired the minimum components.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXdkFXYnFLbFpiYjQ

Oil pressure check, gas can check, new ignition check, go for it! Gas masks are optional.

https://youtu.be/pksAlvW-Lwo

Here is a video of the the car idling for the first time since Reagan was in the White House.

https://youtu.be/PmhIX-XSquQ

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6 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:09 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

With the viability of the engine out of the way, we came up with a plan. Run the '65 110 hp power plant and install a four speed trans. The Corvair still had drum brakes and 13" wheels (studded no less, this is the PNWest), so brakes and wheels would need an upgrade (Upgrayedd?). First clean out the car and get ready for the cage and seat. The Corvair is modular, in that the frontend, rear suspension and drivetrain come out in component groups. One thing that came with the car that was unexpected was the MICE. MICE is my garage. MICE everywhere. I HATE MICE!

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXTVduNXhZZDF4eFk
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXeXJpVXFaMk53Wmc
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXa0pNbFNkVWdpNk0

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXWlg3NmR2MElLRVU
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXTVBvVUlXMjNlQ0U
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXX3J1N2cyQzZXSUE

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7 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:10 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

THIS IS WHY Lemons WANTS YOU TO REPLACE YOUR FUEL SYSTEM!

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXN3NpTFdhdDBGb2s

I wish I could say that only the fuel pickup and sender were bad, but alas after you poke you thumb through the fuel tank also, some times you use common sense. I wish I could say only the fuel tank was bad, but after a car sits in a field on a farm for decades, things start to go back to the Earth. The entire car, 4" from the bottom was rusted out (maybe we paid too much).  No place to weld the cage, no place to mount the seat and NOBODY makes that gas tank because it is a '60.

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Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Not sure how much you guys know about vairs but just in case ...

Late model front suspension should bolt right up immediately giving you a huge selection of 5x4.75 gm wheels, not sure about the rear suspension but the 65 (prefer 66-9)geometry and bearings are 10000 times better then EM, the 140hp engine has larger valves which are more prone to dropped valve seats, not sure the year 'vairs went to alternator but it will be best to ditch the generator as the alt/gen light is your only indicator of fan belt loss and @ high rpms the generators tend to "motor" when the belt departs and not trip the light...bring the stock engine as anything can and will happen.

P.S. if possible run the later magnesium fan and do not try to tighten the fan belt with either as running it pretty loose and spraying it with silicone will keep it on, yes let it slip some, use the cheapest STRAIGHT GL 4 gear lube as GL5 or GL4-5 kills brass syncros quickly, NAPA sells it, I believe sta-lube, yes again all this this defys logic but its tried and true info.

My vair
http://youtu.be/_Fu_zzDe_MQ

Homestead Chump 5th-Sebring 6th-PBIR Lemons 9th - Charlotte Chump  CrashnBurn 9th
Sebring 6th again -NOLA Chump 1st -PBIR Chump Trans Fail 16th
Daytona 11th - Sebring 6th - Atlanta Motor Speedway 2nd - Road Atlanta Trans Fail 61st-Road Atlanta 5th
Daytona 13th - Charlotte 9th - Sebring 2nd-Charlotte 25th broken brakes - Road Atlanta 14 10th-Daytona 14  58th- Humid TT 19th Judges' Choice!

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Engine in the right place. Bless you, good sirs.

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Dual carbs?!  Cheeterz!!  wink

Nick
Focke Ewe racing -> Muttonheads! Racing -> Torque Junkies
86ish VW GTI...now with TDI Powah!

11 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:28 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

So here comes the point in the story where decisions have to be made.

First: Gearing, out with the three speed. A four speed was acquired with the knowledge that it will not fit in a '60 with out reconfiguration of the front trans mount. You have to clearance the rear suspension subframe also.

Second: Wheels, car came with 13" studded tires (Oregon). One of the team members is a Subaru guy, so the decision was made to convert hubs to Subaru. I make things for a living, so drilling some hubs isn't a big deal.

Third: Brakes, drums are not going to do it. Subaru once again. It went something like this, "Hey if I upgrade the rear brakes on my RS then we can use the parts!" Car would have rear and rear (not a typo) discs brakes.

Fourth: Fuel cell. Stock fuel tank was first choice as fuel cells ($1000+) are expensive. We found one from Summit for under $200.

Fifth: Theme. Based on the 1960-1961 GM factory backed Rally racing that the Corvair dominated (Suck it Zora). It was also named Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 1960.

Check out this article! http://www.caranddriver.com/columns/dav … nada-rally

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXaWY0dDhMZkpSNzQ
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXR21XUXZDeHZNS0U
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXMHNpRDJINmtHazg
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXa01fNGQ4RnprN1k

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12 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:29 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Oh I almost forgot Sixth: rearend. Chain up rearend, so this doesn't happen.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXZ0YxVURlQ19ZTEE

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13 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:30 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Now comes the fun part, reassembly! (NOTE: when a car is parked, especially for decades, there is ALWAYS a reason.) During inspection of the differential, come to find out why the car had a LM 110 hp and didn't drive, teeth missing in the differential. Motor must have seized and when the new motor was put in, new problem, response: put car in barn until later. Had to run to get a different diff (too bad because it was a 3.89) and found one laying in a rusted out '63 (at least I did not have to remove it). Here is a pic of the drivetrain going back in.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXTU0tbVRJWTFBVEk
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXNUZwdnB5N1hnOVk

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14 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:33 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Because the Corvair clutch linkage looks as if Archimedes designed it, we went with a hydraulic clutch (thank you '85 Toyota truck). The seat was also mocked up and you may be able to see the pop riveted floor. Subaru rear and rear brakes were used to take advantage of the Corvair's awesome weight distribution (63/37?), and some sweet adapters were made to go from '60 Covair to '92 RS.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXZnp6Q1QyWUJ3eHM
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXOGI0ZGNmRlNhNk0

Here is the first wheel mockup.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXVzdwVjdMVUFURjg
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXU3lxSlV3R1lGVjA

And here is a pic of her sitting ready for paint.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXMGlrLUF6R083V1k
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXbGhuclNnQWVlZ28

This year we should have time to add the racing stripes.

'18 PNW-Organizer's Choice '17 PNW-IOE '15 PNW-Judge's Choice '14 PNW-Heroic Fix
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Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Looking good!

One issue, please fit front brakes to the rear, corvairs are heavy in back, factory brake shoes (on a late model) are F/R Chevelle but reversed, if you do not the smallish rear brakes you are planning on will overheat.

Homestead Chump 5th-Sebring 6th-PBIR Lemons 9th - Charlotte Chump  CrashnBurn 9th
Sebring 6th again -NOLA Chump 1st -PBIR Chump Trans Fail 16th
Daytona 11th - Sebring 6th - Atlanta Motor Speedway 2nd - Road Atlanta Trans Fail 61st-Road Atlanta 5th
Daytona 13th - Charlotte 9th - Sebring 2nd-Charlotte 25th broken brakes - Road Atlanta 14 10th-Daytona 14  58th- Humid TT 19th Judges' Choice!

16 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:34 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

So other then staying awake for the week prior to the race doing wiring, fixing linkages and lines, and finishing the cage; that's pretty much it. We basically got it running and driving the morning of the race (Friday practice was cancelled) and on no sleep drove to the track. The car ran ok, shifter was rubbish, smoke was new because we had not driven the car under power. What I learned that weekend is that I have a great team of guys that are willing to work together to find a solution (?) to a problem that nobody cared about. We ended up NOT last and won the Most Heroic Fix Award for a severed con rod. The air may be no longer in the Corvair, but we will return with a power plant from across the pond that takes "God save the Queen" to another level. I would like thank Judge Phil, Murilee and everybody at The Ridge for making this experience way more fun than having automatic rifles pointed at you and your vehicle searched (robbed) and that's the police, don't get me started on the kidnappers.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXYXhoaHFfVTVMZnc

http://blog.caranddriver.com/lemons-sea … -landcrab/

http://blog.caranddriver.com/24-hours-o … winners-2/

http://blog.caranddriver.com/panic-in-d … of-lemons/

http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/events-r … thworst-gp

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Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

I don't think he's listening to us

Constructor/Owner/Driver - Billy Beer Ford Futura

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Oh, I hear you loud and clear.

'18 PNW-Organizer's Choice '17 PNW-IOE '15 PNW-Judge's Choice '14 PNW-Heroic Fix
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19 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:36 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Don't be afraid, it's just a little...

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXWEhLSlFnQlFldTA
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXTTdkU0dEaDlNc00

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20 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:38 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

How many Jags can you get for a couple hundred bucks?

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXeUVISnNkdnA0UDA
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXbUI0cGZ5bjhPWmM

This many.

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21 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:45 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

First engine is out! Bask in the glory of four liters of premier British engineering!

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXaU9oZmpodVMyd2c
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXWThYMmcxdk9nd2s

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22 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:46 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Pushed the car in the garage last night and started with the most important parts first.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXY2MwcERDZjZubnc

JAGVAIR!

'18 PNW-Organizer's Choice '17 PNW-IOE '15 PNW-Judge's Choice '14 PNW-Heroic Fix
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23 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:49 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

I think I know how the NTSB feels when they do those plane crash reconstructions.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXTWRYbDhqd0xvaGM

'18 PNW-Organizer's Choice '17 PNW-IOE '15 PNW-Judge's Choice '14 PNW-Heroic Fix
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24 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:50 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

Here is a pic of the holes the #6 rod punched in the engine oil baffle.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXelhkLVVHVE5HeXM

Will get engine internal pics once case is split. Working on getting new, old, stock Jag suspension in Corvair. I am going to miss motor/suspension removal with just two guys.

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25 (edited by CPT_Trans_Continental 2017-03-16 01:51 PM)

Re: Corvair Build Thread (Transcontinental Drifters)

If I could find a way to reverse to way a Blue Smoke Six works I could save the environment!

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0Bwd77mMKZxPXalBrWDR1MFpNbU0

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