[FC] Rampside Engine

[Ken Hand]

??? I know exactly what you are asking for. I didn't have a camper but I pulled a trailer all over the country with a van, it would top out at about 75 with a tail wind and get 17 MPG. There were a couple of things that I learned with that rig. First if you were pulling a grade and the speed dropped to 55 and you were at WOT you may as well drop to 40 MPH and use low gear. If you didn't the engine would overheat. I used a 3.55 rear gear, when I had the 3.89 in I could run 55 MPH and the engine was screaming and the van would only do 65 topped out. Also my fuel mileage dropped to about 12 MPG.

? You will want to use a 164 engine with 110 heads cleaned and deflashed. Take about .030" off the gasket surface, do a little port work on the exhaust and then use a 260 cam. The engine will then pull a stump but you won't win any speed championships. I used late model carbs with the enrichment jet and and #49 jets. I ran regular gas with very little spark knock.

? If you don't want to modify your block, I have a 64 FC engine block and crank if you need.


 


Ken Hand
248-613-8586
www.corvairmechanic.com

 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Shaw <65vair180 at sbcglobal.net>
To: corvanatics at corvair.org
Sent: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:08 am
Subject: [FC] Rampside Engine










? I sent this to V V and realized I might be missing some people with valuable 
first hand experience.? I have a 61 Rampside 80 HP 4
Speed. The engine is out (poor compression) and I temporarily have a
car engine in the truck (not a whole lot better). I planned on
rebuilding the 80 HP but have since bought a camper for the truck and
fear the 80 HP will be inadequate. 
?
What I would like to have is an engine with enough power to handle the
extra weight and still go 60 MPH with some power to spare on the
highway. I would like decent MPG also (I'm not asking for too much am
I?). I'm not too concerned about acceleration. I don't want a dog but
I'm not looking to spin the tires either.
? I know
the truck block can be ground out to accept the later, longer stroke crank.? I'd 
like to know if going with a stock engine would come close or perhaps the block 
modification and a certain cam/head combination would give me what I'm
looking for.
?
I know the axle ratio makes a difference. I'm not sure what axle ratio
I have. I'll have to check once the Rampside is out of its winter bag.
I would consider changing the axle if it would make a difference. Any
advice directly (your experience, good or bad) or directions to information 
sources would be greatly
appreciated. I don't mind doing the digging if I'm shown where to
start. Thanks in advance. 

Greg
Deartborn, MI