Thread: Corvair Front End In 31 Coupe

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Yep, Tech is right. Something in the installation wasn't done right.

Corvair front ends were popular to install on rods at one time because of the way they are made and it was a way to get IFS on an older car. I think that fad sort of went away when better front ends came along (Mustang II most notably) and also, the Corvair had the engine in the rear, so the front end was designed to carry less weight than a hot rod front end might weigh with a V8 up there.

That might be the reason for your negative camber. If you can envision what would happen when you put a jack under it and raise it up, the tires would start to straighten up . Conversely, if you were to sit another few hundred pounds on the front, the tires would do what you are seeing, tilt in at the top. It could be that someone cut some coils to get the car lower, or that the weight is just pushing it down lower, creating the situation you have.

Slip a floor jack under it and see if the tires do what I have described. You might not like this solution because it will raise the front up, but stronger coils might get your alignment back.


Don

Don, you win the gold ring! The tires look great with the load off of them. I will try some heavier springs and see what that does. He may have tried to lower it, or just screwed up putting the front end in. I got this car for a fair price but as usual, I'm discovering all sorts of dumb sh_t this guy did. I don't mind throwing some bucks into it, I just want it to be in the right direction. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP, I'LL PROBABLY NEED IT AGAIN SOON !!

If you intend to keep the car you should make a serious effort to get rid of that system. There's a reason they were only popular for about....................oh.................15 minutes!

Yeah, I didn't want to come right out and say that, but NOW THAT BOB HAS LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG................

They really weren't long lived popularity-wise, and he is right, there was a reason for that. They just were not the best setup to use. As I mentioned, they were designed for a front end that housed no engine (stock Corvair) and when you put the additional weight of an engine on top of them , they just didn't work out well.

If there is one thing that can make an otherwise great car unpleasant to drive, it would be an incorrectly set up front suspension/steering. I have had some ill handling cars over the years, and I dreaded going around the block in them.

If you got the deal you did, that allows you some financial room to make improvements. Start with the front end as Bob suggested. There are so many good ways to go today that you should have no problem installing something that will make the front end handle well and be safe to drive.

Don


Post some pictures so we can see what you are working with, then we can make some better suggestions.