Hi John...I am going to use one in my Pietenpol. I have the block sitting here in my garage and decided rather than bring a core engine in from the USA, I would just bring in the block and then bring in all the parts rebuilt from the USA. If you bring a complete core engine in you cant use some of the parts like the cast pistons, blower fan etc so its weight you are paying for in freight which is no use to you. The parts are cheap but the freight to get them here is the killer. I chose this engine as I can build it myself and there for, maintain it as well. Peter Johnson in Victoria built one for his Pietenpol and he had success. You can see his website at Pietenpol Pages.
William Wynne is the guru with regard to aero conversions of the Corvair. You can view his site at www.FlyCorvair.com - Home of the Recognized Authority on Corvair Powered Flight
There is now a 5th bearing available to help support the crank at the flange where the prop bolts too. The stock engine has had problems with the crank cracking due to the excess side pressure so the 5th bearing supports the crank right where the prop bolts on.
There are a lot of these flying especially in the USA. Chevrolet made about 1 500 000 of these engines if my memory serves me correctly but not a lot of them came to Australia. In saying that, I do know of a chap that MAY be able to access one here if you go down this road.
Have a look under the links section of my website at Scottys Pietenpol Air Camper Build and all the suppliers of parts in the USA are on there.
If you are looking for a block get one from 1965 to 1969. These are classed as the later model blocks. The 1964 apparently can be used but you have to be more specific with the other parts used on it. The early ones are from 1960-61 to 1963. I think you can use these but not the best. I have been lucky enough to find a guy in the USA who has 5 of the old models in his shed and I have worked out what parts were common from 1961 to 1969 and he is sending them over. Things like rocker covers etc.
I am no where near an expert on the Corvairs but I have done a lot of research and spoken to many people who are. If you want to know anything else, just ask. If I cant give you an answer, I should be able to point you too someone who can
Scotty :thumb_up: