that is something i wouldn't part with easly. If you have the tools and ability the Corvair is not hard to work on. Take it one step at a time. Before you know it you have learned new skills and understand the car much more
Jim - Hard to say with graffet, but he says "Any leads or help is appreciated. I'm not afraid of abandoning this community for a mustang at this point." Sounds like someone not committed to the Corvair.
jimbrandberg wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 5:48 am This is graffet first post here.
I have to wonder how many long time Corvair mechanics there are near Puyallup to really poke at it. I know for myself the most I could muster up for free would be to stop by and give some direction. The last thing I want to do on my day off from working on Corvairs is work on more Corvairs.
We tried to muster up a "Corvair Cavalry" in Corvair Minnesota but the only volunteers we got were getting too old to really work on them anymore so the idea sort of petered out.
I'm not familiar with what Corvair clubs are out there. There's some good Corvair guys in Washington, Oregon and Idaho but it seems like they're sort of spread out.
It's slim pickings out there for a Corvair engine for cheap that you can just install and drive away. Something cheap may just come with a new set of problems.
I'm trying to make something useful out of all the Corvair engines and stuff I've accumulated. Even ones that I can get running and fix a few things like oil leaks start at $600 and quickly rise over $1000 as time isn't cheap. The ones I'm pecking at now require internal parts and Machine Shop work which quickly get more expensive still, let's say $3000 and beyond. It's cheaper when someone has their own components like carburetors to transfer on but that may be where your current problems lie.
One trouble is that a Corvair engine that was running fine when it was removed from a rusty or crashed Corvair was maybe removed 20, 30, 40 years ago. Time flies when you're having fun.
One can often work through the engine they've got. Work on carburetors and ignition can transfer to another engine if worse comes to worse. I'm sure we would be able to lend advice but it's all pretty vague so far.
Matt Nall on the Corvair Center forum was selling a few engines in Coos Bay, Oregon. He's a good guy but another one who can't really work on them anymore or ride a Whizzer. I haaven't seen Matt on this forum so you'd have to look over there.
I don't know if you'll find a good running Mustang for cheap either. Maybe, I've just never looked at them. The idea seems like you're poking at us with a sharp stick.
I'm sorry to sound so jaded. I hope it works out for you and we're happy to help if we can but there's only so much we can do from here. Like any friendship it takes a while to develop.
It's sad you don't have someone in the area with some Corvair "Smarts". When I was 21 I new very little about fixing up cars, had no space, and not much money so projects were "modest".graffet wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 3:13 pm
I trailered it to the Corvairs northwest club tune up and they spent 5 hours messing with the distributor then told me to get new throttle levers for the bottom part of each carb. Low and behold I got them and nothing changed. car doesn't smoke and gets 100-110 compression all around. the current engine was "rebuilt" in the 90's according to the previous owner's daughter. the previous owner had to give the car up because he got dementia and was moving to assisted living. the car was a disaster when I got it and would not be surprised if he was the one who "rebuilt" the engine. the differential was messed up to where the car would try and jump into the next lane whenever I let off the accelerator, it would never idle properly until recently when I finally found the correct distributor and readjusted the valves. it ran perfectly for about 20 miles when i was on the freeway and it just lost a ton of power and was impossible to drive. I've had this car for 2 years now and have poured about $8,000 into it not including purchasing it to begin with. I've replaced multiple timing and ignition parts trying to solve the issue, but parts quality is shit these days. nothing me or anyone in the club can figure it out and I'm losing faith and it's just not any fun anymore. I'm 21 years old and in college for welding and have no money and finding a welding job might seem easy but it's a nightmare in Washington, too many people need welders but want you to have 30 years of experience and can weld perfect beads with your left foot blindfolded while playing grand master level chess and winning. I will post a video of the car driving like crap when I get a chance, thanks for any help. can confirm its not fuel delivery or the distributor, points/condenser, or coil, they are all lined up correctly.
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