Engine Conversion

Why a Corvair engine? Basically, using this engine allows me to use an engine that I can do the maintenance on, rather than a type-approved engine, that I'd have to take to a licensed mechanic. I COULD purchase a factory-built experimental engine, like a Jabiru or a Rotex, but I'm too cheap (and too poor) to sink over $15,000 into an engine, when I can have a flight-proven design in the Corvair for about 1/5 the cost! I'd much rather put that money into the airframe and panel of the plane.

Before Conversion........ After Conversion (I hope).....

(Click either photo for a short movie
of a Corvair powered 601XL)

(Note: The hours spent on the construction of the engine does not count towards the total hours of the aircraft. The construction log listed below is for information only.)

3-7-07 - Well, I finally got back to the engine for an hour tonight. I got the pulley and Oil pump unit off tonight. I spent some time at the parts washer, too, and got most of the baked on crud that's on the sheet metal and other parts.

2-18-07 - Another busy weekend, but I was able to spend 2 hours working on the engine. I got the DVD earlier in the week, and have viewed it several times. no major issues as yet. Today I drained the old oil, removed the distributor, oil cooler, some sheet metal, and worked on removing the clutch / flywheel. Next week, oil pump, rocker arms, and perhaps the heads.

2-12-07 - The engine is on the stand and in the garage. Now starts the tear-down. I've ordered a DVD from William Wynne that details these steps. I purchased his conversion manual last year, but I'd like to have the added information. I'll remove the items that will definitely NOT be used on the flight engine, like the carburetors, headers, alternator, and fan. I'll wait for the DVD before getting into the "meat" of the disassembly. I DID remove the top cover, allowing me to see the crank shaft. It is a "8409" crank, which verifies that this is a 1964. So far, so good. Everything is nice and loose inside. Nothing seized. (More photos)

2-3-07 - The engine is picked up! It sits in the bed of my truck as this is being written, and I'll need to rent an engine hoist to get it out and onto the engine stand I've purchased from Harbor Freight.

1-27-07 - I GOT IT!!! The seller has agreed to take cash, and as I'm going to pick it up locally, there will not be any shipping. That saves me almost $300! But I'm still buying it almost sight-unseen (except for the two photos on E-bay), so I hope.....

1-25-07 - I found an engine! And in Albuquerque, to boot! It's a 1964, 167 cubic inch (2700 cc) and I've placed a bid on it on E-bay. Now we'll wait and see...