corvair front end. need help

Hey guys, I just picked up my new winter project a 31 ford sedan, It has a corvair front suspension on it?? any one seen this before most importantly were can I score the front linkage that controls the wheels? and the shocks for the towers? Some info would be great I just have never seen it done lke this. It looks really *****in but need some part/Ideas. Thanks

 

First off, it would be nice if you did an introduction.

Will the 31 have fenders? Please say yes. Nothing looks worse than an IFS exposed.

As for parts, there are lots of Corvair parts places on the web that can get you anything you need.

Now, tell us about yourself and your car(s)

Welcome!

 

After that cut it out and put in the s**** pile.. Must be a reason why ya don't see those anymore.

 

The intro part wouldn't hurt,,,,,,

Before the mustang II came along the corvair was the hot setup,,,,this was back in the early seventys ,,,at least thats when I had one under a Model A,,,,

It worked great but lacked the looks of a axle,,,and if you do insist on using the corvair setup,,,PLEASE cover it up with fenders,,,HRP

 

Yeah it has fenders. I just found a drop axle for 75 bucks here in town. I may go that direction with it. It does look like **** w/o fenders and that ifs showing. I just rolled it home today so I will change my mind probably a hundred times. I picked it up for 300.00 so I feel pretty god about it.

 

You stole it.You would never find a deal like that in this area.I would also do away with that front end and hang a straight axle on it.
Got pics??

 

Hey guys I just did the introduction, sorry but I did'nt see it when I first signed in. This guys got two or three more drop axles. tubes and I beam style. This guys also got a 65 chevy short box w/clear ***le for 500.00 a ton of old iron. Really cool guy too.

 

I switched mine to steer in the rear. This was in 69. It worked fine but the car always sat to high. The spring dia is odd so the selection of springs is limited.The stock springs are too weak and will sag. I would get rid of it and go to the axle you found. You can certainly justify it with the price of the car!!.

 

Is it going to be tough to put the drop in. I hate to sound stupid but I have never had a ride of this age. I guess what I am sayin is I have no idea to go about it. The frame is in great shape and they did not chop the horns or anything off.

 

Clark's Corvair Parts is probably the largest company dedicated to corvairs. They have a huge inventory of NOS and repro parts, and should have what you need. Google it and check it out.

 

This is the place to learn. Before you go cutting anything, search, search, and search some more. So many topics covered on suspension of every imaginable configuration.

Get you a Speedway catalog immediately. They have great advice for building and you can see what all is out there. Besides, you'll no doubt need to order something from there.

Great score! Throw up some pictures when you have a chance.

 

I don't think stock Corvair parts will do you any good. I can't see the steering box mounted on the front frame horn. The shaft can't get past the radiator. You may make something using a MII rack. You can mount it to the front of the crossmember and use joints to get to the steering column. Again, the springs were too light and kept saging. This was with a 350 and 400 turbo.

 

I won't make any judgement on the Corvair front ,but if you decide to use it give me a call on the weekends and I can line you up with a guy who has a dozen or so Corvairs and you can buy what you need. He is about 40 miles from Omaha.
Call me on the weekends if I can help .712-527-4521

Best of luck.

 

Having a 100k miles on one, w/an SBC: if you can find an MG rack and pinion unit, it will steer (from the front) the vair front end fine. I lengthened the steering arms, and welded in larger lower ball joints, to accept chevelle spindles and disc brakes. For springs, see if you can find some V8 Vega coils, as after six different sets, they did work quite well. You will need to make a rear R&P shaft support bracket, and mount it to the side of the lower A-frame brace, w/a u-joint, you will be able to aim for the column base and run a cloth GM style joint where the column exits the firewall.