<VV> Re: Mid-engine Corvairs

[Mike Kost]

What about modifying the transmission as in a V8 conversion and connect 
the engine to the front of the transmission. Another possibility would 
be to find a tempest powerglide transmission for an automatic installation.

Mike Kost

Clark Hartzel wrote:

>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
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