Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:24:58 +0000
Reply-To: J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Corvair-powered Bay on Virginia CL
In-Reply-To: <1347973263.1132222.1321027175407.JavaMail.root@sz0063a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
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I also forgot to mention, anyone who has been around VW's for a long time will remember this was a popular conversion back in the late 60's/early 70's,and kits were available to install the Corvair motor in both Bugs & Buses, much like the Subaru/Bostig conversions are now for our vans. Again, it was pretty cool to drive a '71 Westy with 110hp, a whole different world than a stock one with 40hp! Jeff Jeff Stewart ----- Original Message -----
> Actually, not all that strange at all, there are plenty of Corvairs
> still out there. It is often referred to as the "poor mans classic
> car", as fully restored examples rarely go over 5K in value. What is
> strange is that the engines suffered many of the maladies that VW
> engines did, leaky pushrod tubes, dropped valve seats, etc. It also
> had a very bizarre fan belt arrangement and was prone to throwing the
> fan belt-so much so that there are kits out there to warn the driver
> that the fan belt has been thrown. I had the pleasure of driving a
> Corvair powered '71 Westy a few years ago and it was a blast. I was
> interested in doing the conversion to my '75 Westy, and obtained 90%
> of the parts to do it, but like most projects the time just wasn't
> there and I sold off all the stuff-some to a guy in the Virginia Beach
> area. As for being dangerous, well, most would say the same of our
> beloved Beetles and early (Split & Bay) buses. Jeff Jeff Stewart -----
> Original Message -----
> > Very strange.
> > The Corvair was Chevy's failed attempt to offer a US alternative the
> > strange and rapidly multiplying VW Beetle.
> > It was so poorly engineered it flipped and killed lots of people,
> > including
> > two I knew in high school.
> > It gave Ralph Nader his start as a consumer activist, the subject of
> > his
> > book "Unsafe At Any Speed"
> > As an engine, if I recall correctly, it fried valves frequently or
> > had
> > another fatal defect. Strange to have one running, let alone in a
> > VW.
> > Halloween is over isn't it?
> > On Fri, Nov 11, 2011 at 8:51 AM, Stephen Grisanti
> > <bike2vcu@yahoo.com>wrote:
> > > Not mine:
> > >
> > > http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/2676492483.html
> > >
> > > 1979 VW BUS - $5000 (Varina) - 1979 VW Bus with 1967 chevy corvair
> > > engine
> > > with two speed auto transmission. Interior stock. Bill 399-9490
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Stephen
> > >
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