<VV> Greenbrier Questions

[Greg Hanlin]

I will echo Brian's comments about the engine.  164cid is good.  We have a 
'63 Deluxe Greenbrier, with original drivetrain - 102HP, 3.89:1 posi rear 
end, and powerglide.  Some nut must have ordered it that way thinking the 
extra HP would be good - I would rather have torque.  Imagine how long it 
takes us to get up to freeway speed.  Once you are there, it isn't too bad, 
but acceleration is leisurely at best.  The engine is developing some blowby 
at cruising speed, so I think a 164 cubic inch FC engine is in our future.

The best thing about the Greenbrier is that the kid's car seats are two rows 
behind you - they are not shouting in your ear and can't kick the back of 
your seat!

Greg Hanlin
Dayton OH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bryan Blackwell" <bryan at skiblack.com>
To: "Steven J. Serenska" <sjs at banksurance.com>
Cc: "Virtual Vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 2:04 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Greenbrier Questions


> I'll expand a little on Rad's comments too.  The Deluxe really is a lot 
> nicer, it's possible to convert a standard over but you need to swap the 
> window regulators.  Brakes are often a point of concern for those 
> unfamiliar with FCs, but as Rad says with good shoes they really do stop - 
> I've had no issues even fully loaded down a long grade.  We have the 
> Underground's high end Kevlar shoes, I'm sure that all of the vendors' top 
> of the line shoes would perform just fine too.
>
> On the stick vs PG, bear in mind that mostly we were looking for a really 
> solid van more than anything else.  Ours is a fully loaded (such as they 
> were) '64 Deluxe.  I'll say that if you're going to drive one with a PG 
> and use it as intended (kids, dog, baseball gear, camping, appliances, 
> etc.) then you really want a 164 ci engine in it.  The smaller engines 
> will work with a stick, but even then the extra torque is nice.  If you're 
> going to go up and down a lot of hills, then the four speed is better - 
> third is just perfect.  In the rolling hills of Virginia it's not an 
> issue, but when you get into the mountains there are places where low is 
> too low and high is too high.  For around town the PG is great, and you 
> have the advantage of using the middle of the front bench for a passenger.
>
> --Bryan
>
> On May 31, 2006, at 11:23 PM, Rad Davis wrote:
>
>> So that's where to look for rust and how to prevent it if you get a 
>> creampuff.  Really bad rust in the cab area can get to be a structural 
>> problem.  Practically anywhere else a van commonly rusts is not 
>> structurally an issue because everything is welded to an open-channel 
>> ladder frame under the floor.  Deluxes came with rubber mats, which start 
>> to rot the floor when the weatherstripping and dum-dum in the roof joints 
>> begins to leak.  OTOH, deluxes are nicer inside - more car-like.
>>
>> Brakes are fine if good shoes are used and the system is properly 
>> maintained.  I prefer a four-speed, but Bryan's been driving a powerglide 
>> brier for a long time and seems happy with it.  I think this one comes 
>> down to personal preference.
>
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