Corvair Alternator Conversion (A different approach.)

Everyone who converts their early Corvair from a generator to an alternator has to find a late model oil housing (alternator bracket) and then has to grab some sort of alternator that will mount up. I am trying to avoid this. Why? Well, because there has to be a better way. The gentleman who did my starter owns a local armature shop and he's done my starter alternator work for years. He found me an alternator that he thought would work. Not only did I verify that the mounting holes match the generator, but even the fan spins the correct way. Tonight I'll test fit it and hopefully if it fits he'll build it up and I'll have a very solid charging system in a very old car.

Good news everyone... it does seem to fit, although it will be mounted behind the bracket instead of in front like the genny, so I have to mill down the bracket so its flush like the front side instead of on a slight angle. No big deal. I'm hoping to do it on the car with some sort of grinder. I'm still going to utilize the rear mount with some sort of adapter so it should be nice and sturdy.

Top 10 Corvair Performance Mods (This is great.)

Top Ten Performance Modifications for the Corvair

#1- Rear Windshield Wiper (two-speed on Spyders) for early model so you can see where you've been.

#2- Dual Rear Wheels so all tires can be the same pressure, saves weight of spare, gauge.

#3- Glass Engine Fan so you can count shop towels, lost tools and discarded spark plugs inside turkey roaster.

#4- Rear license plate hinge to prevent bent plate from moronic gas jockeys looking for the cap.

#5- Large Orange Cat Deflector for convertible tops, makes scary noise, unstable footing.

#6- Passenger's side Emergency Clutch Pedal for when the cable on the 'main' clutch pedal breaks.

#7- Powerglide Stereo option: Provides an Impression of Extra Shifts thru radio speakers to simulate HydraMatic.

#8- Chain Driven Fan (also see #2) with ten speeds, Shimano shift.

#9- 1968-'69 Ashtray Pad Extinguisher, puts out fire in foam padding of ashtray.

#10- Incense Burner for engine cooling air, makes heater oil fumes smell more like pine cones or potpourri bathroom spray.

Note: Author unknown, posted by "Brent" on the Corvair Center Forum with some corrections and modifications.

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Mouse Piss vs Aluminum.

I got the engine running with the help of a new starter and battery. The starter was rebuilt by an old time armature shop here in NJ. The old ratty carbs idled just fine but they're in terrible shape so off to Custom Rebuilt Carburetors, also a Local NJ business. I've used them before and they do great work. They rebuilt a 1960 Caddy Carb that no one else wanted to (or could) do. After that, I removed all the engine tins to find a really big mess.

After 3 days of soaking the corroded aluminum in PB Blaster, it looked like this: 

I decided to get a little more extreme and yanked my harbor freight soda blaster out of the shed. I have never used it before and I must say it makes quite a freaking mess. It is also quite effective. I hosed all the dust away with a hose. The slight brown that's left is so hard that it's like an epoxy. I can't even scrape it with an awl. This is as good as it gets. 3 broken fins were a result of aluminum oxidation winning the battle over cast iron. Pretty amazing.

1961 Corvair Monza 700 sedan

Well, I did it. I got a Corvair. It needs work, mostly interior believe it or not. I'm happy. At 500$ with a clear title I couldn't go wrong.

61' Corvair Check List.... for now. *Update 2/12/16* *Updated 2/24/16*

I promise this isnt going to become a "Corvair only" Blog. I am way to involved in too many things, but there is going to be quite a bit of Corvair related topics. So without further adieu, let me make my list of things to do.... for now.

Last night I ALMOST had it running. I decided before getting crazy and ordering parts, let me see if these carbs (which had mouse nests in them) could get the car running. I know, it seems crazy, but I grew up on a farm where engines would sit for years and then one day we'd just start them up. I vacuumed the venturies for a few seconds with a shop vac. Then I hosed the inside and outside with Castle Liquid Torch. This particular engine has mouse nests everywhere, even under the shrouds and around the cylinders. I cut the fuel line, hung a plastic lawnmower tank and had it fire a few times before the starter motor quit on me. FML.

1) Get battery. (Already done. AC DELCO 96 Civic battery, fits nice.)
2) Get it running. (Get the starter rebuilt.)
3) Remove all shrouds, clean, paint, and/or powdercoat.
4) Get some carbs. Preferably these Wolf Enterprises Performance Carbs Went with CRB in NJ
5) Acquire Tune-up parts and Tune it up. Also got some K&N filters. I also tried to clean the coil which after a media blast leaked oil so a Petronix it is.

6) Get and install a fuel tank, fuel filters, and a fuel pump. (Or try to clean out original one.)
7) Address why brake pedal went to the floor. (I heard the hiss of break fluid spraying.) Replace brakes, hoses, and bearings front and rear. (And powdercoat drums?)
8) Cut springs? and replace shocks.
9) Start repairing floor and possibly rear window rust. (Seal with Eastwood Rust Encapsulator.)
Window has been sucessfully? dealt with for the time being.

Somewhere in here, probably during the other items, I want to try to repair the front seat cushion and wrap it in Mexican blanket. I figure this can be done in the garage while its 10 degrees outside.

I also ordered tires. I went with el-cheepo West Lake RP18's in 175/70R13. A bit small, but I need this thing to at least roll and it ain't doing that on the flat bias-plys currently equipped. Also, added to my list.

10) Treat interior roof with some sort of rust converter and then coat with Hammerite Smooth White paint.
11) ALTERNATOR UPGRADE! lolz

1975 cb550 minimal turbo *VIDEO*

Sounds good to me... Right now its running 35/100 jets, which still seem to be a bit rich.

1980 CM400A *For Sale*

I can't possibly keep all the motorcycles I have when I intend to buy a Corvair. So, this ones first on the block. Sorry old girl.

1975 cb550 minimal turbo build. *It runs.*

Got some spigots (or whatever you want to call them) made by my friend at a machine shop.

 

Made up this exhaust header. It's 1.5 - 1.75" to the turbo. Then I wrapped it up real well because its close to my leg.

 

Made these flanges from 3/8" mild steel and a chain slider from an old cutting board. Then I made 1" runners and a 2.5" plenum. Powdercoated to match. My buddy at the machine shop made me a send and return fitting for the oil.

 

 Here it is with the t15 turbo and Keihin PE38 carb mounted up. My friend Dan made me that awesome Parker feed hose.

 

 K&N filter I snagged on ebay for 9$.

 

 I yanked this old heat shield (which was VERY rusty) off of a 1980 Ford Granada. I welded a hose clamp to it. It cleaned up really well.

 

The original kickstand had been repaired. Somehow someone broken it right in the middle. It was cracking again, so I ground it all down, welded it, and then even added that piece of re-enforcement steel. I may as well use a ball-peen hammer as a kickstand. I also added a heightened base because the bike is higher than stock. I also, used Caswell tank liner in the tank. The whole tank was baked for the powdercoat so the inside was chemical free and dry. Still waiting for the sealer to cure.