Torque converter disconnect from engine

[joelsplace]

Yes. The idea is to put stress on the cylinder that mimics the clamping load between the head and case. If you hone without a torque plate then those distortions aren't present while you are honing but are when the engine is assembled.
Some engines like small block Chevys distort a lot because the head bolts are pulling on the sides of the cylinder.
Corvairs shouldn't distort much since they are just clamped between the block and head.
Someone (Ken) measured it and said most Corvair cylinders don't distort but some do. I can't remember how much.

[Dennis66]

And it's not like we're torquing them to 70 ft lbs.

[corvden]

I usually have the Machine Shop install bronze valve guide liners rather than guides if the guides are tight in the aluminum heads. My first concern is disrupting the press fit of the guide in the head and my second concern is that GM installed rough guides and then drilled them out locating off the seat so the original hole may not be in the center of the guide. One can get past that by doing the seats by locating off the guide but you need a good Machine Shop who knows what they're doing.
I usually have the Machine Shop flycut the head gasket surfaces.
While the temper of the aluminum is a concern I don't know how you would ever have heads tested before expensive shipping.

Cylinders bored to .060 is the maximum and it does leave the cylinder walls awful thin to be stable dimensionally and it reduces the size of the head gasket surface. I'm not sure I would buy new .060 pistons to match existing cylinders. If buying pistons I would probably got to different cylinders and bore to .030 or something. That's easy for me to say because I've got a lot of cylinders.
Cylinders should be bored in a fixture with plates where the cylinder is torqued down. A Machine Shop would not want to make something like that for just one time. I don't really trust pre-bored cylinders without the pistons in hand so it's a bit of a sticky wicket. Others may say pre-bored cylinders are fine but I have my ways. Another thing easy for me to say because I have local people I trust. One place is expensive and the other place takes forever so nothing ever seems to be easy.

Even if the top crankcase studs are eroded at the top I usually leave them alone. When I CC the heads and figure a compression ratio the heads usually fit a little closer to the crankcase anyway.

I'm not always against a used camshaft and gear if it looks and measures okay. I usually end up with new lifters, usually there's a face or two that look a little off.

With things like rocker arms I'm more in favor of good used than new Chinese so far. Again easy for me to say since I have coffee cans full of stuff like that.

I might consider having an engine shipped on a pallet and in a crate by sea. By air runs into a lot of effort of being certified with no fluids and such. I sent one to Hawaii once and it was cheaper than I thought it would be, although that was like 12 years ago. I don't know who you'd get over here to build and ship an engine however. I had a Business Plan for doing it but never got ahead enough on general repairs and now I'm slowing down my activities.

I'm assembling a few engines from good parts hoping I can sell them when done but it's slow going with waiting for the Machine Shop and all. Everything so far has someone lined up on a "take it or leave it" basis when done.

Hi Jim,
Yes I am in a serious quandary of what to do, being in Australia makes it harder, I have extremely basic mechanical skills major work for me just removing engine & transmission.
A machine shop has dismantled engine.
A PO installed the 140hp heads not really sure what else was done, but engine ran smooth prior learning compression was compromised. To me internals looked ok (top of engine removed that holds fan).
I value the shop who pulled my engine apart, have never delt with before, but they have good reviews. My guess is they recommend replacing as much as possible, as they dont want rebuilt engine failing, which I appreciate. But I am very open to Corvair opinion of what will work, do not need high performance, just to have fun cruising around.

I am curious if you are able to quote on and rough time you could ship:
2 X rebuilt 140 complete heads with deep seats
6 X Cylinders
6 X Pistons & Rings

I am aware I need many other bits from the states (rear suspension consumables, PG gaskets (leaks badly), engine consumables, gaskets etc.), very aware of postal issues. See no point in sending my heads to the states (could be wrong).

The machine shop I am using are expecting me to source all parts which is preferable.

Will be more attentive to replying.

Cheers Dennis

[jimbrandberg]

I'm not able to furnish parts like that. I'm not a Machine Shop myself and spend a lot of time waiting for my local guy. I force feed him as best I can and have 2 pairs of heads there now, 2 pairs ready to go there and probably 2 more after that.
I'm trying to assemble my accumulation of good parts into something useful and sell them off. It's slow going so I need to live quite a bit longer to see it through.
It's so hard to get old car work done these days compared to the golden age.

I went to a foreign car show yesterday in my '60 4-door and on the way I wondered about bring it in as a Holden...

[Wittsend]

... I went to a foreign car show yesterday in my '60 4-door and on the way I wondered about bring it in as a Holden...

That made me laugh.

I have a Ford powered Sunbeam Tiger whose parent company became Chrysler (later models even had a Pentstar). We have a large, bi-yearly Mopar show near by and I've mused with the idea of taking my British built, Ford powered roadster to be parked among winged Daytona's and hemi 'Cuda's. And if I got flak arguing my 'ace up the sleeve' Shelby (prototyped) Tiger/Shelby GLH (and other K-car variants) connection.

My how we stray from from disconnecting a torque convertor... .

[Dennis66]

To bring this back to Corvden's requests and wants, there are few more questions: What did this car have for an intake / carburetor system? (original 4 x 1 bbl carbs? 4 into one manifold? What distributor number does it have? What end product are you looking to have? (high performance, or just fun to drive? Reason: The 140, in spite of it's highly desirable performance may not have the simplicity and reliability of a 110. As mentioned, there is the issue with valve seats (although you are asking about deep seats), th eissues with carb adjustments and other issues, then we add that you have an automatic transmission. GM had a special crank timing gear for the automatic transmission 140 engines (this hasn't been mentioned here yet). There was also a specific distributor (probably more than one) for the 140s. How deep are you into this engine project? ($$$$$). I say all of this because you migh tbe money ahead in buying a rebuilt 110 and having it shipped down there. Just throwing it out there and giving you an option to consider.

[corvden]

Hi Dennis
Good questions, 4 X stock carb setup & aircleaner, no points distributer dont know which one, I am after something to drive every week or so for fun, not after any high performance.
Dont have std exhaust for 110

I wouldnt know who to contact for a complete (minus shrouding) engine in the States.
But very open to suggestion.

Cheers
Dennis

[corvden]

I'm not able to furnish parts like that. I'm not a Machine Shop myself and spend a lot of time waiting for my local guy. I force feed him as best I can and have 2 pairs of heads there now, 2 pairs ready to go there and probably 2 more after that.
I'm trying to assemble my accumulation of good parts into something useful and sell them off. It's slow going so I need to live quite a bit longer to see it through.
It's so hard to get old car work done these days compared to the golden age.

I went to a foreign car show yesterday in my '60 4-door and on the way I wondered about bring it in as a Holden...

Hi Jim,

Knew it was a hugelong shot, very much appreciate your assistance.

Cheers Dennis

[jimbrandberg]

I see a guy who is familiar to us who lives in Arizona advertising engines for $5000 on Craigslist.
California Corvairs used to do something similar and maybe they still do.
Although the Vair Shop is pretty much closed I thought he was still having some engines done.
I'm assembling engines on speculation but I don't know how much they will cost or when they will be done.
Tom Keosabian sold a 140 recently but I don't know if he's doing more.
I've heard bad things about a few more but haven't heard of their offerings lately.
Your local guy may be fine, I just don't know. A lot of places these days don't want to do something out of the ordinary here, I don't even know what's ordinary there.
It's hard to wade through different opinions on the Internet no matter what you do. I wish I could make it easy for you.

[Dennis66]

While it's been a bit since I've seen the "rebuilt engines" offered, there are several facebook groups that offer some deals (you have to wade through the scammers). Facebook can be spotty (lots of inaccurate information). I usually try to send facebook information seekers here, but there can be some good deals found there.