<VV> Modern Engine for Corvair Options?

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/29/2007 10:02:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
matthew_j_lewis at yahoo.com writes:

I have a  1965 Corsa Convertible and the engine needs
alot of work and wanted to know  what options may exist
for a modern engine/transmission setup. I don't  want
to rip  out the back seat or anything drastic. Just
looking  for a more modern engine/transmission that
will go in the existing space  without too much  custom
work.

Thanks,

--Matt





Hi Matt. Let me fill you in a little - I am sure others will send their  
comments along as well. I understand the quandry you feel you are in. The  Corvair 
motor was unique in a number of ways, besides it's rear location and air  
cooling. Looking at it from the end of the crankshaft oposite the end with the  
clutch/flywheel on it, the engine rotates in the direction opposite of almost  
every other motor ever built There was some SAAB V4 in the 70's and Honda  
4-cylinders up until about 1999 or so. And thats about it. Everything else goes  
the other way. There have been a few kits over the years that allow some  
automotive engines to be "reverse-rotated" most of these were for Marine use -  
Twin-engined cabin cruisers needed counter-rotating propellers to go straight in 
 the water, So Chevy supplied several motors with LH or RH rotation. And 
there  was a kit to reverse the Buick/Olds aluminum V8 and put it in the rear. But 
 adapting these motors to the Vair is a real job, and not  cheap.   All of 
the above assumes use of a Corvair transaxle. If  you want to spend real money, 
you can use the complete drive train from  something else, like a 911 Porsche. 
There are probably a few others. And all but  a Porsche requires adding water 
cooling. But otherwise, it means plopping  something into the back seat, not 
what you are looking for. Unless you want a  Corvair motor that contains 
almost all new parts, hard to find today, you  will spend less on the Corvair 
rebuild - a lot less. Of course, you are hearing  this from a guy who is reverse 
rotating a 4.3L V6 Chevy motor to (someday)  install it in the rear of a 
Corvair. I have the right motor, I just haven't  found the right car yet! - Seth 
Emerson



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