<VV> Mid-engine Corvairs

[Clark Hartzel]

Some people think you can make a mid-engine Corvair powered vehicle by
"flipping the ring and pinion".  Can't be done on a Corvair.  The early VW
swing axle transaxles could be flipped as the engine was on centerline of
the car.  In a Corvair, the engine, mainshaft and pinion gear is offset
1.25" to the left.  You can't put the pinion gear at the transmission end,
either, as the differential is not symmetrical front to back.  You are left
with three choices:  1. Reverse the engine rotation and run the ring and
pinion backwards.  Not a good choice as many kit car owners have found out.
2. Find the extremely rare CIDCO reversed ring and pinion with the helox cut
the opposite way.  Good luck!  100 sets made and 90 have broken or worn out
by now.  3. Flip the entire transaxle upside down by cutting the bellhousing
in half in a lathe and rewelding it back 180 degrees off.  Works fine on a
stick shift except the shifter is now at the top instead of the bottom and
your starter is dragging on the ground!  Powerglides end up with the oil pan
on the top!  #3 Only good for dune buggies.  If you are trying to do it in a
full bodied Corvair you are in deep doo doo.  Let me know if a #4 is found!
Clark Hartzel