V8 into Corvair redesigned rear suspension

[@ronaldrey8474]

Your comments are priceless. I have a L-5 & L-2 Burst fractures & fusions w/ chronic pain . Please don't stop video of your projects, only way I can escape besides drugs. Your important to me for learning & MENTAL HEALTH ! Thank You John.

[@patrickj7728]

You are truly a genius!! love how you keep adapting to the 'new problems" Sounds & looks like you were once a Marine, "Improvise, adapt, and overcome"

[@charlieroberts8886]

Watching John make me want to go out and make stuff.😀

[@chuckwhitson654]

You Sir are genius, and I'm not, for the quality of work you do, nobody could afford a kit, however nice it is to think 🤔 about. Outstanding beautiful welds, everything is top notch

[@chuckwhitson654]

I found ya thru miss Nicole and the SUPER DOOPER BEETLE, and I have to say that you are an awesome fabricator and I love your vision, man. Thanks for bringing us along

[@charleskuss8538]

Impressive design and workmanship in limited space

[@wackowacko8931]

The way you weld a tight radius ellipse into the swing arm for the rear suspension is to bend the tip of the tungsten and extend it so that you can fit it into that small radius, get a bigger cup and then turn up the gas supply. If you can build up a non-combustible dam around the area of the weld to constrain the gas flowing out of the cup from flowing out of the area, so much the better. It isn't a wonderful way of doing it, but it is functional and gets the job done.

[@mchristr]

Your trailing arms remind me of single-sided swingarms on motorcycles. A very elegant solution.

[@garydungelman6530]

Very nice craftsmanship

[@doubletap10mm]

You are an awesome fabricator

[@kapilapatikiriachchige5169]

Your welding better that Factory welding. Perfect..

[@dannymccarty344]

Man, I love what you're doing with that Corvair. Don't let the negative comments bring you down. I put a jet engine in my Mustang last spring, and the chicks really dig me.

[@tonyrose823]

Thanks for the show

[@maxmotta1200]

I have a freind that put a 327 in the front of a corvair and put the floor and the hump of a s10 in with a rear axle turned out really nice. Made a nice 1/4 machine

[@kapilapatikiriachchige5169]

I love your work. I should be with you have a look your work.

[@tillmanxl6914]

John, it's been 3 weeks I'm looking for another update, welding fabrication, talking what ever you've got. I can only watch this video so many times. 😂 🤣👍

[@JohnReynolds661]

Thanks, I got side tracked but should have next update by Monday. There's 50+ hours of work on the project between videos.

[@bassmansays9745]

As a Aerospace TIG Welder for over 40 years - You need to use Backup Argon Gas then you can put your Tungsten out as far as you need to Weld. Make like a Tent out of Aluminum Foil or any non flammable material to keep the argon gas into place.

[@patrickshaw8595]

Heh - heh . . . Grey Hair for the WIN !

[@JohnReynolds661]

Good point about the shielding gas. The bigger problem was that the torch would have to be nearly horizontal to the joint. I've heard of ppl bending the tungsten to do such a job but a mid plate was a easier solution.

[@ericwilkes238]

This man John Reynolds can build anything .

[@bartmcdonald1251]

very cool! back in the 80's i saw one a guy had that was mid engine and it was awesome! hope yours is even better!

[@dcraexon]

Tune up shop in Glendale Az had one as a mid engine quarter-mile dragster with crinkle walls did a wheelie through the intersection on the way to pick up parts😂👍

[@terrypikaart4394]

Ive seen a Olds Tornado drive train in the back of a Corvair.. Yes the 455, it was in the 70s

[@jimpanzer07]

This guy is amazing!

[@gregorytimmons4777]

The best bet as far as keeping everything lined up and turning freely is simply to have a reliable assistant spin the rear wheels as everything is tacked into place. If it all lined up initially then it still should provided the "poor man's jig" tip is followed faithfully. Lots of thought to your engineering. My choice when confronted with access issues when welding is adequate gap to weld thru into a copper or brass backing strip which is then sacrificed and cleaned up to smooth at those spots. Also have used ceramic tape for 100% backup strip. "I know, lets show some heat straightening and annealing with a torch and wet rag video".

[@brianpercival1829]

Watched the Volkswagen test drive with Nicole Johnson, then a few others and now the Corvair series. First video that reminds me of Ronald Finger videos. Funny parts.

[@theflyingfool]

I find your welding, fabrication & machining skills, as excellent as they are, easily eclipsed by your ingenuity and thoughtfulness. This is a wonderful series and I can't wait to see the bodywork all painted and shiny, ready for that mahoosive motor!

[@freedomtodefend]

Awesome shop. Tools, tools, tools! Great respect for a guy that has the skills to put them all to use!

[@b-lopez394]

John Reynolds, You know what amazed me you are making the parts that you planned long time ago and you know already how to make the next suspension parts that can handle the massive engine torque that is going to be transferred to the rear wheel. Excellent fab. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinromeyk5111]

I enjoy your video's. Thank for taking the time take them.

[@98grand5point9]

Very nice. When I was in high-school a local racer took the front wheel drive from a 455 Toranado and made a mid-engine Corvair. Wickedly fast and fooled many unsuspecting street racers.

[@alwaysalways6210]

In the late 80s there was a corvair with the same set up terrorizing the streets of Las Vegas. That thing smoked what my buddies and I had!

[@73split]

Thank you for your videos. Your efforts are an inspiration. I’m very impressed with your fabrication skills and garage engineering.

[@ericdolan2130]

16:50: I am SO glad I am not the only one that does that...

[@dennisgilbert125]

Have you saw Mat's Off Road Towing .? He Took a 700 Four Door Made It Egn. In front 4x4 Rock caller . He Called The Morevair.

[@richardfinney3179]

You have a nice shop and some great tools and the car is looking good I always liked the late model vairs what motor is it 1,2, or 3 ls

[@williamaguiar14]

Love the content and the build ! Any way we could get more footage close up while welding

[@BROCKWOOD64]

Once upon a time I was involved in a 66 Corvair Crown conversion. At that time I was simply a mechanic with fab skills. Now, I appreciate & participate in machining processes as well. Your vision drives you to make it as you see fit. All I can say is, "Hope it exceeds your expectations!"

[@cldan9152]

T 2 or 3 1.5" tubes between the arm skins would have been strong enough!

[@eikodunn]

Ingenious.

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Bravo maestro

[@cassowaryind]

Ford Courier 4 x 4 front lower control arms were bending, the fix was to replace them with arms with mid plates. so it is proven to work

[@michaelbadami8579]

This man and this build are mindblowing. Period.

[@BillyReed68]

My dad was a pilot who loved building engines. So, of course his retirement business was a full machine shop. 30 years later I still can't get enough. I love this kinda thinking.

[@bottleobushmills]

Excellent work! Thanks for sharing. Why no foot pedal for your drill press?

[@chuckwhitson654]

Oh yeah, you should build a kit, if possible when finished, an old friend (r.i.p.) had several corvairs and I have always been a fan of those. Screw Ralph Nader, real men love danger

[@goodboyringo9716]

I wish I could work on cars like John. His work and design is top notch !

[@BillyReed68]

Having all full machine shop with lathe and milling machines helps.... A LOT!

[@tedzehnder961]

If halfshafts are part of the trailing arm suspension,trailing arm pivot points have to have some give. "Up and down" motion of trailing arms will pull in an in and out "at the halfshafts. Unless, halfshaft ends can slide "in or out" as trailing arms go in an "up and down" motion, due to road surface conditions.I owned a corvette C3 and trailing arm pivot points cpuldn`t be solidly bushed at pivot points. I hope you solve this situation and come up with something better than the old corvette style rear end.

[@JohnReynolds661]

Yes, the C3 and original Corvair rear suspension are similar in that they rely on the half shaft as one of the fixed suspension points. My arrangement uses inner and outer plunging CV joints and two lateral control arms so the axles have plenty of room to breath.

[@pdgray3]

Average person:- “You can’t put that engine and trans combo in there “ John Reynolds:- “Hold my beer”

[@Canadiancarguy1987]

John, you are one heck of a Fabricator, sir! this car is shaping up really nicely!

[@richardcooks2091]

the sprocket joke was really funny lol

[@phillipthethird42]

I love this kind of " garage engineering" you are brilliant, And I'm going to keep following. Not to mention, I want to do a corvair as well.

[@hackfabrication139]

Engineering/Fabrication - AWESOME! Glove caught in the clamp - PRICELESS!

[@darrenswails]

Do you also enjoy the adventures of project binky?

[@malcolmcapps8816]

Build me a Corvair

[@chiledkidsfbombgarage6095]

Still watching. Love the workmanship !

[@johnlist9054]

I'm curious if you need an heir? I'm particularly fond of that Super Beetle

[@geraldparker7008]

Hi, if you would be interested I saw a guy that took a second gen. and made it a hatchback maybe you'd be interested it looked cool and gave more room and looked factory the way he did it.

[@scottinWV]

Sometimes watching the cutting, grinding, and fabricating is just so relaxing.

[@ronaldrey8474]

Exactly ! Very SATISFYING watching...

[@kayejaye261]

How many things u take apart when you was little? Just to see how it worked? What was or is your job? Do you have any video of that truck in garage? In first video I think you see it when going to look at transmission and engine.

[@billhartsfield424]

I wish you were my neighbor so I could just come over and visit while you work. A joy to watch.

[@jamestregler1584]

So did you stress relieve them puppies

[@tedzehnder961]

I was wondering if motor mounts could pivot with trailing arms a bit it might solve side pressures. I like your project though, quite inivative.

[@JohnReynolds661]

The main objective with the motor mounts is to make it easy to drop out of the bottom, 'cause, you know, it will probably be coming out for various reasons.

[@jameshisself9324]

KZbin really wants me to watch your V8 Corvair video. No idea why.

[@ytwhite5930]

John,First off,I'm living a fantasy through you..."group 7 ish" V8 Corvair... I've noticed a fixture you use to steady your arm when you weld...Is that something you've made or is it available to buy somewhere? Your Corvair should be a real animal when you're done! Great videos! Thanks...

[@JohnReynolds661]

I got it from Amazon but it's currently unavailable there. Here's the same thing form Arc-Zone. There very handy. www.arc-zone.com/welding-arm-rest-ara18

[@HiVoltish]

Damn, sprocket drive would have been so cool. Those yellow numbers look like the same kind as we use for transformer numbers. You work for a power company?

[@ChristianNordquist]

Really enjoying this the details and your engineering design thoughts during these build videos

[@bash5552]

ok, now, make me a set!! 🤣

[@darrenswails]

"If I don't know, I'll just make something up" words spoken by real men everywhere

[@ronaldrey8474]

Don't forget "you made it to the end" wish my wife would say that... hehe

[@allanblack8635]

Wait... this is not Mat's Offroad Recovery... where am I?!

[@JohnReynolds661]

Yeah, wrong channel. Matt is the guy with million's of subscribers.

[@tedzehnder961]

you are making a type of c3 corvette trailing arm setup.

[@JohnReynolds661]

It's a little like a C3 but it's more like that found on the rear of a RZR.

[@wildbill3224]

Love the idea, once owned a Corvair like this one. Had to subscribe and will follow this project closely. Work is top notch and I am excited to see it being built. You are a craftsman for sure.

[@ejharrop1416]

Your weldments should be in a museum, priceless workmanship. I am gob smacked to say more. all the best, looking forward to the next installment. Take care and peace out!!

[@ericwilkes238]

Master craftsman nodout.

[@popsoldboats3406]

I always thought these cars could have been so much better if only someone would have put a little more effort into them. Holly cow this is going to be a beast.

[@oceanhome2023]

That is the way I have always thought ! Just imagine what could have been done to upgrade this car !

[@danielgeng2306]

I thought I was hot stuff because I can do a brake job, talk about feeling inadequate! Lol

[@PeterHatch-mx7zc]

👍😊

[@bencaldwell5606]

Love these keep them coming. I am inspired to do a similar conversion with my 66

[@loveoldcarsguy]

I watch a lot of you-tuber builds and I always wonder what you in particular do for money to keep the lights on and the chromoly racks full n tig bottles full?

[@JohnReynolds661]

This: kzbin.infocommunity

[@relaxinmaxin7246]

How is Ralph Nader about this endeavour?

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

Not sure what all you will do with this car when it is finished and it is to difficult from the video to tell exactly how much clearance there is between the swing arm and the sidewall of the tire but it looks like it is only about 1/2 an inch and if that is accurate then you would be pushing your luck expecting it never to rub the sidewall on the swing arm. Can't really tell accurately from the video and the car may never see much side loading etc. so maybe it won't matter. Interested in seeing it progress. What transmission will it have ?

[@JohnReynolds661]

It has 1/2" of clearance, I'll try to stay out of the mud. 4T80e trans.

[@greenhellcat]

Your fab skills are just something else. Truly amazing work!

[@murraymadness4674]

Have you seen my V8 Corvair project...I am using Porsche 944 suspension, it has swing arms, perfect fit to a Corvair.

[@JohnReynolds661]

I didn't see your Corvair on your channel, where is it?

[@murraymadness4674]

@@JohnReynolds661 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2OnmZZ3edSnnc0 and yes it isn't exactly the best..

[@murraymadness4674]

btw, I did put it in 'backwards' no video yet as project stalled after that, will get back to it someday..maybe soon now I have new shop almost workable place.

[@JohnReynolds661]

That's quite a project and might work for a north/south conversion but not an east/west conversion like what I'm doing. BTW, I interrupted the torsion housing and made an 8" gap on my VW/Subaru project, check it out if you want to see it done: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6ncdmulipKmasU

[@jakespeed63]

Good job! New to this project. What was your inspiration. And why abandon the stock Corvair design??? Just curious Just purchased a slightly rusty 1962 Greenbrier. Always have my eyes open to new tricks. Wish you were here to help me fix some of the chassis No V-8 for this girl, but she definitely needs some more horses

[@JohnReynolds661]

The late model Corvair body style has always been a favorite of mine. But the stock engine and trans are very antiquated. V8 swaps used to be very poplar with these cars and have been done hundreds of times. Basically, it's a fabrication exercise which is why I do it.

[@patrickshaw8595]

@@JohnReynolds661 My first five cars beginning in '73 were all Late model 180 hp Corsa's. I would have been happier with just a crank driven Roots blower and a Quadrajet but I knew nothing then and affordable EFI was a German Car thing. However my Dad was an A&P mechanic for Braniff and my Uncle Jerry was Lawn Boy's Chief Engineer..kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5XNqnWrrbOeoaM. At first I used N2O and stole the idea to use it to spool the compressor up by impingement. Then Uncle Jerry just wired the throttle open and hooked the accelerator pedal to the distributor (like some outboards) et viola - the first anti-lag on an American Car. Dad - not to be outdone - built an Onan BGM (all alloy 45 cid opposed twin ) driving a Sullair cast iron screw compressor into the front trunk/fuel tank ares meaning the propane tanks took up the whole back seat area. We finally reached the limit of what could be tolerated by the 9-bolt ring and pinion gear even with custom 4-pinion spider gears and had to give up about 1980 and a guestimated 450 pounds of torque. Kept me off of drugs (but lost my license three times)($$$) and I won't go into tacking a gutted Powerglide onto the front of the '66 Saginaw 4 speed, copper-riveted clutch disks to hold the torque, and custom tool steel needle-less u-joints on the receiving end of some or all of the foregoing silliness. Carry on the Corvair Rep for over-the-top-ness, John. We've a legend to perpetuate (at any speed or even stopped).

[@jakespeed63]

@@JohnReynolds661 when I was like 15, my Hot Rod uncle had a LM Corvair coupe that had small engine fire(big surprise) He had all the plans to do a Krown conversion on it. Never did anything and I regret not buying it from him.

[@lauriedooker1031]

Porsche got around trail arm twist strengthening by putting tubes along the length of the trail arm to join both sides together . Welded outside . I would stitch weld inside also but I’m a back yard engineer from a country seaside town in Australia and don’t speak German.

[@curvs4me]

Hot diggity dog this is turning out to be one hell of a vlog. Another hundred mill or two (views) and Al Gore's rhythm just might recommend you. I can't wait to see this thing roll out in the spring. You're definitely killing it. Going to be one hell of a car when it's done. The transverse LS4 idea was brilliant. Really making use of the available space. There's a build out here on the interwebs, a Vair Monza with a 283 that doubles as an armrest. He took Mid engine to heart with that build. It doesn't have an engine cover. I don't know how long I could tolerate a 283 riding 3rd wheel screaming over everyone else. With that said, I still give him an A+. Everybody talks, rarely does someone do.

[@JohnReynolds661]

This is my first build that will be all video. Previous builds have been done with just pics on forums. It's a niche crowd that will watch it so I don't plan to set Al Gores rhythm on fire. Yeah, the North/ South engine arrangement has been done hundreds of times and it's always the same problem: the valve cover doubles as an arm rest. Still can't use a back seat with an East/West configuration but at least, you would have to reach way back to touch the engine.

[@deetesmin]

Like your arm rest for tig welding. Bought or made?

[@JohnReynolds661]

It's about $75 on Amazon, I use it all the time. amzn.to/3LwOGGO

[@markkennedy4055]

Ok...Ok, but what would Ralph Nader think?

[@johnnywooten7199]

Nice engineering I really like the swing arm toe adjustment angle Chevy should have done that years ago.

[@Klaffa1]

Great!

[@venvnco6259]

You really doing a nice job John.

[@andrewsnyder2721]

John, you are as much a 'sleeper' as your cars! Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel is as close a corollary as I can think of regarding your work!🤔

[@scottiencali]

Holy cow that shop is huge!! Nice work tho!!

[@dmwi1549]

Was wondering how the progress was going. Those arms are artworks. Thanks for the update!

[@kisoia]

Hi John, great work as usual. Question about you checking the caliper to rotor clearance shown at about 7:35 - what is a desired dimension here? I've never seen a spec for that. Thanks!

[@JohnReynolds661]

I think what is important is to center the caliper in the rotor. The gap should be the same between pad and rotor on both sides. The gap dimension is not that important.

[@kisoia]

@@JohnReynolds661 Got it, Thanks

[@SB-vb8ch]

How is the lateral location being achieved?

[@JohnReynolds661]

I'm working on that now. Two lateral control arms per side like a RZR.

[@MrRajay2U]

Always fun to watch it done the right way, great ideas too

[@anomamos9095]

If you did one inch long stitches every three inches and working cold bits before moving back to hot bits until every panel has a stitch every three inches you can then close up the gaps with the work pieces experiencing minimal distortion. An alternative to the center plate or in addition to would be to get some thick wall half inch or 10 mm tube and pass it through so it transects the bend then weld the tube to the walls it intersects with.

[@JohnReynolds661]

Those are other ways to do it I suppose. It been my experience that no matter how you put 5’ of weld on a fabricated structure, it’s going to shrink and warp. Pretty common to use fixtures when doing this kind of work. Thick wall tubing is certainly strong enough if you’re not concerned about weight.

[@JohnReynolds661]

Also, even though I welded each arm with 6 opposing sections, I prefer to weld the entire project in one session to avoid repeated heat cycles.

[@lindastephenson1312]

why not mount the caliper on the rear of the hub and swap calipers side to side. bleeders on top better axcess and cooling. rich

[@JohnReynolds661]

The rear area of the hub is even more busy than the front as it will have control link tabs and some way to spring the car.

[@mikelittle6764]

This is fascinating. I have a 65 Corvair, but the body is set on an 88 s10 Blazer chassis and will be front engine. The mid-engine looked like way beyond my fabrication skills.

[@kenkline6319]

very cool stuff you're doing, Wish I had all of those toys!

[@patrickshaw8595]

When I installed a B-61 Hydrogen Bomb in the tail of my Fiat 850 Spyder I just used Advanced Search on Ebay and found a set of control arms to fit it for only $5 apiece, free shipping !

[@kevinmorrissey9754]

...No shiney red calipers First brake change will be interesting

[@tedzehnder961]

After I wathched more into the video, I saw the heim joints,my bad.

[@psk5746]

Why put a taller engine in a rear engined car?, that will raise CoG. Or are you putting the engine in front of the rear axle?

[@JohnReynolds661]

It's an aluminum block LS engine in front of the rear axle (mid-engine) which will handle better than the stock rear engine configuration.

[@psk5746]

@@JohnReynolds661 very cool

[@complexsimpleton3116]

At least a hundred grand when it’s done?

[@bobbyramsar]

100k just in labor