<VV> corvair fuel & cooling

[Ron]

It would be pretty difficult to make an 80 hp version overheat but I suppose 
some have done it.  I'd suggest a stock system so don't block off anything 
if you're not an air cooled engine expert.  Driving in summer temperatures 
up to 115 degrees I've never had vapor lock in a Corvair and don't consider 
it a problem as long as everything is in good order.  The battery in a 
Corvair stays cooler than in all water pumpers as long as the engine is 
running so there's also no problem with overheating the battery.  If you're 
worried about it, open the engine lid after a hot run in summer to allow the 
heat from the engine to escape more rapidly.  My batteries seem to last as 
well as any, as far as I can tell.
RonH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Houston" <judgehouston at yahoo.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 9:16 AM
Subject: <VV> corvair fuel & cooling


>I try to duplicate the octane levels of the 1960's by adding tetra-ethyl 
>lead that I buy from Jack Podell. It's called Max lead 2000. I had it 
>tested and each quart has at least 14 grams/ounce of tetra-ethyl lead. I 
>learned of this product from pilots of corvair powered aircraft that I have 
>flown. The corvair motors were originally made to use unleaded, 'Gulftane' 
>fuel in the 1960's. This is what I was told anyway. I do know and others 
>have emailed me that the head temperatures are about 30 degrees lower 
>consistently when using this product. There hasn't been lead in US fuel 
>since 1978. The premium ethanol fuel of today is very different than the 
>leaded premium of the 1960's.
> I'm a little confused how the motor can be starved from air cooling. From 
> what I've heard, are you suppose to block off the door/vent that enters 
> the fiberglass plenum on top of the axle? Isn't the fan feed by the side 
> vents, down over the heads and out the shroud doors? My late uncle's 
> camper had upgraded his 80 hp motor with finned pans and covers, 12 row 
> trans cooler, x-large oil cooler. He installed an electric fuel pump under 
> the front passenger seat frame with it's own little fan and super 
> insulated the fuel line to protect from vapor lock in Pheonix, AZ stop and 
> go traffic in 115 degree heat. He added an extra solenoid switch and extra 
> 12 volt battery. He told me that heat can kill a battery like cold can. He 
> told me that it was common in the 1950's to lose batteries in the heat. He 
> told me the earlier 6 volt battery worked better and had thicker cables 
> than 12 volt systems. The big long 'tractor' batteries could withstand the 
> heat better. Is
> that true?
>
>
>
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