Spring Valley Bus meets Corvair

[creationblue]

A bit of an update, I started to have fan belt issues having just rectified a long term clutch/oil leak problem, that turned out to be caused by a worn/damaged pilot bush. The belt shredded on the way home, managed to get around a mile away from the house when the gen light came on. Luckily I was able to pull into a car park and replace the belt. When I got home I noticed the new belt had worn badly already, something not quite right here!

I used the van a week later and the belt flipped off after about a mile, I’ve never had an issue with the belt before and bearing in mind the journey the belt takes on the corvair engine it can be an issue for some. I fitted a new belt by the side of the road (again) and off I went. Now an indication then something isn’t right is when my volt meter drops to 12v rather than the 15v (ish) that it normally sits at, so after a few miles I pulled off a side road and noticed the volts drop, jumped out and to take a look and it was apparent that the belt had twisted, this was enough to strop the alt charging. So loosened the pulley, untwisted the belt and went on again, this happens pretty much every time I went from cruising speed to stop ie junction or roundabout. Slightly peeved I went home!

So today I thought I best investigate, so stripped off the tinwear and inspected the fan and the pulley, both span freely, but the alternator seemed like it was catching slightly, problem identified! Took the alt off to see what was up, nothing! For some reason it span perfectly well off the engine, weird! Anyway, everything bolted back together and just back from a run, everything smooth and how it should be! At least now I know that if it happens again where to look.

Off to Bristol Volksfest next weekend, hope to see some of you there

 

[creationblue]

Bought a new alternator, had to strip it apart to use the Corvair mount but was pretty straightforward

Just back from Camperjam and it ran like a dream

 

[mike202]

Glad the engine is now running well. So was the problem the alternator bearings in the end then?

 

[creationblue]

Glad the engine is now running well. So was the problem the alternator bearings in the end then?

I’m not 100% sure, it spun fine off the engine. It blew a diode on the way back from camper jam about 3 years ago, I had it repaired but it has never been right since, giving out 15v but I lived with it until it started throwing belts. Bearing has to be suspect but it feels smooth without any movement…

 

[mike202]

I know your engine is a Corvair, but I had some alternator problems as well. The belt kept coming loose. I thought it may be the alternator bearings but since replacing the pulley wheel all seems well now.

 

[creationblue]

I know your engine is a Corvair, but I had some alternator problems as well. The belt kept coming loose. I thought it may be the alternator bearings but since replacing the pulley wheel all seems well now.

Weird how a pulley wheel can slacken a belt. Annoying when these happen tho!

 

[creationblue]

Hi all. Nice to see people still using this place. It’s getting close to that time of year again when the van comes out to play and this year all mechanicals are behaving themselves thus far! After leaving the van for a few weeks it’s been increasingly difficult to start so time for a new battery!

Or I was thinking of ditching the Chevy for these two batteries and a motor….

Obligatory rear end pic with new sticker added #egotrip

 

[naskeet]

In September 1981, near Lake Henshaw, in southern California, I came across an abandoned Chevrolet Corvair which still had its rear-mounted, six-cylinder air-cooled engine. Sadly, I didn't have my tool kit with me and there wasn't enough spare room in my suitcase to take it home on the flight from Los Angeles to London. I wonder what HM Customs would have said if I had!?!

The downward-facing cooling-fan and drive-belt with idler pulleys seemed rather strange then, but I have since seen a similar after-market configuration, for use with VW Type 4 style air-cooled engines.

There's a whole chapter about Chevrolet Corvair engines in Bill Fisher's book about "hot-rodding" VW air-cooled engines (all types!?!), which strangely omits any mention of VW Type 4 style air-cooled engines, despite its 1970 publication date.

Bill Fisher, "How To Hot Rod Volkswagen Engines", HP Books, 1970, ISBN 0-912656-03-4

 

[creationblue]

The flat six 110 version of this engine suits a Type2 bus so well, it's a shame there are not more about. One maybe two others in the UK I Think but both running the Powerglide 3sp Auto box whereas mine is a manual, now on a 3rib box with better gearing. I fitted it about 5 years ago and still haven't needed to adjust the tappets in that time! The only issue I have had is a leaking RMS and a damaged Pilot bush resulting in gearbox oil being thrown onto the clutch. Both took a while to diagnose annoyingly, mainly due to my lack of experience with this engine. I am still not convinced this alternator is going to be any better than the last that failed within a short space of time but thats another story!!