[FC] motor options

[Ben's Bus]

Mr. Marlow- it is nice to hear from you as always.

Of course the Jeep Grand Cherokee will tow the Airstream just fine. We 
can go camping...it's just that it is so boring. And tiny. Compared to 
the Greenbrier's interior space, it is just plain awful. Once we get the 
double stroller in behind the rear seat, no more can fit. And with two 
car seats, the rear passenger seat is full. Wasteful design. (Our new 
baby, Cora, is just about 3 weeks old).

What I really want to do is sell the Rampside and get a '67-'69 Chevy 
van with a 108" wheel base and a 283 or 307 motor with Powerglide 
transmission. Now that would be cool! Problem is that Lynn will not let 
me sell the Ramspside and I don't have time, space, or money for a fifth 
vehicle.

So, I am investigating options to convert the Greenbrier to a more 
powerful machine. Which may never happen. But it might- and I thought I 
would see what ideas there were floating around out there. Seems there 
are some good ones among the membership.

I am just glad I am not the only one who ever thought of it.

Cheers!

Ben

On 9/18/2012 11:11 AM, Vairtec Corporation wrote:
> The reason that Vanagon owners like the Subaru conversion -- aside from
> increased power and improved performance -- is that the Subie turns in
> the same direction as the original VW engine.  In other words, backwards
> from what we need for a Corvair FC.
>
> There are PLENTY of engines available that will fit in the stock
> Greenbrier engine compartment front-to-rear and side-to-side, but few if
> any that will fit under the stock engine cover, and few if any that do
> not need to be reversed.
>
> A radiator for water cooling can easily be located up front, under the
> toe pan, between the frame rails.  I remember years ago spitballing this
> idea with Bill Ableson.  Bill had at the time an old Corvette radiator
> sitting in his shop.  With a Greenbrier on the lift we held the radiator
> up in place under the front of the truck and it fit like it was made to
> go there.
>
> But that's as far as the project ever went.  That Greenbrier remained
> Corvair-powered and even though I have often dreamed of alternative
> engines in an FC, I have never done it and at this point I never will.
>
> If I wanted to tow a 17-foot 3000-pound trailer, instead of using a
> repowered vintage van with a 95-inch wheelbase, I'd just buy a more
> suitable vehicle to use for towing.  In the long run it would cost less,
> be more reliable, and be safer.  Oh... wait... I own a Greenbrier, and I
> own a 17-foot 3000-pound trailer.  I drive the Greenbrier, and I tow the
> trailer with a GMC pickup.
>
>
>
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