Corvair Forum

I've been wanting to build a mid engine Corvair for a long time. This weekend I got to drive one, that was a mistake, now I have to have one. They look pretty simple, at least the framework, I think I can fab that up fairly easily. Looks like the challenging part would be adapting to the stock 4 speed trans, probably next to impossible to find the Crown adapters anymore. I want to do it the way Crown did it years ago, the car I drove was a Crown conversion. Any ideas where I might find those pieces? Or drawings that I could use to fab them? Thanks...

I've ridden in Chuck Rust's Crown V8. They are addicting. He has one of the nicest sorted Crowns around.

Nothing simple about them except the concept. To make the transaxle reliable a number of precision operations need to be done. Even then the torque from a 350 SBC can break the transaxle if you drop the clutch fast. Sadly most are going to newer transaxles and bigger engines so a "real" Crown V8 will probably become scarce in the future. A good setup is to use a HI-PO 283 or 302 Z SBC, big car Saginaw input shaft, four spider differential, and a few other mods and don't do any "burn outs".

Check out their site - http://www.v8registry.com/

If you really want a Crown V8, then you can find some rough and "never got it done" cars around. Expect to sink a lot of $$$$ to get one done correctly. If you don't have good mechanical skills then you must rely on experts = $$$$$$$

Best to get with it, a lot of the Crown V8 experts are not getting any younger.

If you want a mid engine go fast Corvair there are other options like using a Porsche transaxle.

Good luck.

I'm a pretty good fabricator, I feel confident I can reverse engineer the Crown kit, if I had some info on one. I've built a couple street rods, other odd stuff, ( look up "Cubzilla" on YouTube, look around my channel), anyway, I know I could use a rear from a Vette, or something similar, but I want to do a Crown conversion first. Beefing the diff is no problem, my plans are to use my 302 DZ engine that is in my garage collecting dust, won't be doing burnouts. I wish I could find a crown kit that somebody lost interest in, or a complete car, gotta be something out there, finding it will be the challenge.

What area of the country are you in?

A couple came up for sale last year at http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/list.php?1

Go there and ask.

hi,
I have the transaxle input/shaft/bearing and trans mount pieces , do not have the cradle, i haven't looked at that stuff in a long time, but might have the shift rod

pm or call me
jeff ballard
805-320-9032
camarillo CA

Here's one ---- see http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,990329

Yup, nice car, I drove it last Saturday, I'm watching the auction, might jump in, we'll see.

Back in 2012 I sold my NOS Crown Kit that had essentially everything. I kind of wish I hadn't but the reality is that I won't ever build one but might buy another running car if the timing were to work out.

With that said, I think Clark's has ONE Crown Sub Frame left to sell. Unfortunately I think they sold the last of their other parts a couple of years ago.

You might be interested in this project.
Jeff

https://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/d/19 ... 01474.html

I found one, only 2 problems: it is in Texas, ( I'm in NY), and it has a bad clutch. I'm in the process of fixing #1, flew out , rented a truck and trailer, almost home, and clutch will be addressed when I rest up from #1, that is a long way to trailer a car. It will be worth it, rust free car, 302 sbc, complete Crown conversation, has some nice Arch Evans pieces on it: lexan back window, roll cage, front inner fender louvers. Can't wait to get started on it. I'll post pics when I get home.

Hi I have a crown V8 kit that I have had for 30 years I may not ever use maybe we can make a deal I am in NY also
I have most of parts if you want to come check then out

Hey Tracker do you still have your crown v8 parts for sale?