Greenbrier Van---HELP

[redone76]

I think Camaro hubs and disc fit those spindles add a power brake booster.

I'll look into that. Haven't seen any power brake conversions on these though. With the little engine all the way in the back can it supply enough vacuum way up front to actually power it? And there not a lot of room under the floor there for a booster

 

[rvrrun]

I'll look into that. Haven't seen any power brake conversions on these though. With the little engine all the way in the back can it supply enough vacuum way up front to actually power it? And there not a lot of room under the floor there for a booster

It would, but it doesn't need them.

Too bad about the lettering, it's got some awesome patina going.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I'll look into that. Haven't seen any power brake conversions on these though. With the little engine all the way in the back can it supply enough vacuum way up front to actually power it? And there not a lot of room under the floor there for a booster

Get an electric vacuum pump to run the power brakes

 

[redone76]

It would, but it doesn't need them.

Too bad about the lettering, it's got some awesome patina going.

That's what I've been reading. People do a dual master conversion and it helps a lot. And the patina is what sold us on her. Can't wait to hit the streets!

 

[redone76]

Get an electric vacuum pump to run the power brakes

That's a good idea. Plan is to get it running and driving to assess what needs attention first. Repairs first then upgrades!

 

[Bigbore500r]

That's a good idea. Plan is to get it running and driving to assess what needs attention first. Repairs first then upgrades!

My chevelle has a manual disc setup, I actually like it. Manual brakes aren't that bad if they're set up correctly

 

[rvrrun]

My chevelle has a manual disc setup, I actually like it. Manual brakes aren't that bad if they're set up correctly

That's what I had on my big block El Camino, and manual steering, and a four speed. Fun, but a handful.

I built our '32 for my wife and started out wanting power brakes. It would have been easy to do, but so not needed. That van will be fine with a split bore master.

 

[wsuwrhr]

My chevelle has a manual disc setup, I actually like it. Manual brakes aren't that bad if they're set up correctly

I was just coming here to say the exact thing. I put manual 4 wheel disk brakes on my Valiant, in 1990, using mostly factory parts, when NO ONE had that shit. That ol girl will put you through the windshield if you get too excited with the pedal. Don't be scared.

 

[wsuwrhr]

That's a good idea. Plan is to get it running and driving to assess what needs attention first. Repairs first then upgrades!

Be very careful driving 4 wheel drums in the rain. :yikes

Fun times.

 

[wsuwrhr]

That's what I had on my big block El Camino, and manual steering, and a four speed. Fun, but a handful.

I built our '32 for my wife and started out wanting power brakes. It would have been easy to do, but so not needed. That van will be fine with a split bore master.

Exactly.

 

[wsuwrhr]

To start off, I would start asking some pointed questions, and with the advent of the Internet, it makes the job that much easier.

Find out what "body style" that van is and what other chassis, if any, does it share parts with. In the old days this was a job for a Hollander interchange manual.

Under-car parts are the least sexy and the big three were smart then and tried to use the same chassis parts on everything. Find out if there was an option for disk brakes for any model of your chassis because that is the easiest, you can use the Hollander for a part number to cross reference. The Corvair car could be bought as a hotrod as I recall so possibly there was a model that could be optioned with disk brakes.

Like it has been mentioned, perhaps Camaro spindles are a direct bolt on, and if so, easy manual front disk brakes are possible. Find out what the corresponding bores are for the masters of the parts you are cobbling togeter and find a master that uses those bores. You will also need a proportioning valve for that system.

The rear will probably be harder to get disks for because it is so specialized, so I wouldn't even mess with it for now. Just go through the rears with new shoes and cylinders for now. The front does 80% of your stopping anyway.

 

[wsuwrhr]

When/if you start mixing and matching components, be sure to document what years and chassis you get the parts from. Very important for the future.

On my Valiant, I got real lucky, the front suspensions are very similar to all the other A bodies, so all the parts interchange. The rear was more of a challenge.

 

[coolchange]

Im just saying wh@t my brother has done on his vairs. Dont think anyone makes a kit. I think he has rear seats but i doubt he wants to sell them, but i can ask.

 

[coolchange]

He just used cylinder and booster from a car. Vacuum was not a problem. Might be on a van. Electric is a def possibilty but ive never seen one that wasnt noisey. If its a problem a vac resevoir off of a RX 7 or simular will work.
Not sayin this is anything you SHOULD do. Just pointing out some stuff.

 

[redone76]

My chevelle has a manual disc setup, I actually like it. Manual brakes aren't that bad if they're set up correctly

That's what I had on my big block El Camino, and manual steering, and a four speed. Fun, but a handful.

I built our '32 for my wife and started out wanting power brakes. It would have been easy to do, but so not needed. That van will be fine with a split bore master.

I was just coming here to say the exact thing. I put manual 4 wheel disk brakes on my Valiant, in 1990, using mostly factory parts, when NO ONE had that shit. That ol girl will put you through the windshield if you get too excited with the pedal. Don't be scared.

Be very careful driving 4 wheel drums in the rain. :yikes

Fun times.

My '56 Ford had manual drum brakes and manual steering with a straight 6 and 3 speed. Last year I installed a power disc brake conversion and it stops great. Wife loves it but to me the car lost its edge and stops like any other car now. You work a little bit when you drive that car. As for in the rain...when those drums lock up you better hang on for the ride

 

[redone76]

To start off, I would start asking some pointed questions, and with the advent of the Internet, it makes the job that much easier.

Find out what "body style" that van is and what other chassis, if any, does it share parts with. In the old days this was a job for a Hollander interchange manual.

Under-car parts are the least sexy and the big three were smart then and tried to use the same chassis parts on everything. Find out if there was an option for disk brakes for any model of your chassis because that is the easiest, you can use the Hollander for a part number to cross reference. The Corvair car could be bought as a hotrod as I recall so possibly there was a model that could be optioned with disk brakes.

Like it has been mentioned, perhaps Camaro spindles are a direct bolt on, and if so, easy manual front disk brakes are possible. Find out what the corresponding bores are for the masters of the parts you are cobbling togeter and find a master that uses those bores. You will also need a proportioning valve for that system.

The rear will probably be harder to get disks for because it is so specialized, so I wouldn't even mess with it for now. Just go through the rears with new shoes and cylinders for now. The front does 80% of your stopping anyway.

When/if you start mixing and matching components, be sure to document what years and chassis you get the parts from. Very important for the future.

On my Valiant, I got real lucky, the front suspensions are very similar to all the other A bodies, so all the parts interchange. The rear was more of a challenge.

Im just saying wh@t my brother has done on his vairs. Dont think anyone makes a kit. I think he has rear seats but i doubt he wants to sell them, but i can ask.

You guys are awesome! I appreciate all this advice. Gives me ideas for what to search for. There is a few corvair shops that sell complete disc brake conversion kits and some other places that sell adapter plates. Seems people are using 55-57 chevy spindles and hub kits. S10 front brake assemblies and hub and rotor from a dodge colt. So many ways I can go but a complete kit is around $500 so that's what I'm thinking of getting eventually.

 

[redone76]

Im just saying wh@t my brother has done on his vairs. Dont think anyone makes a kit. I think he has rear seats but i doubt he wants to sell them, but i can ask.

He just used cylinder and booster from a car. Vacuum was not a problem. Might be on a van. Electric is a def possibilty but ive never seen one that wasnt noisey. If its a problem a vac resevoir off of a RX 7 or simular will work.
Not sayin this is anything you SHOULD do. Just pointing out some stuff.

Are you guys local to SoCal? I'm in West Covina. I'd love to know where your brother sources parts locally. I've gotten intimate with the Clarks Corvair catalog but I'd like to support the local guy if possible. If he has the rear bench seats and wants to sell that'd be sweet! If not does he know who or where I can find them from? Thanks and I really appreciate the help.

 

[coolchange]

Thats cool some one makes a kit now for the brakes.
Ill check with him this week.

 

[redone76]

Thats cool some one makes a kit now for the brakes.
Ill check with him this week.

Right. Corvairunderground.com is one place that has the kits.
Thanks bud I appreciate it

 

[HydroSkreamin]

To start off, I would start asking some pointed questions, and with the advent of the Internet, it makes the job that much easier.

Find out what "body style" that van is and what other chassis, if any, does it share parts with. In the old days this was a job for a Hollander interchange manual.

Under-car parts are the least sexy and the big three were smart then and tried to use the same chassis parts on everything. Find out if there was an option for disk brakes for any model of your chassis because that is the easiest, you can use the Hollander for a part number to cross reference. The Corvair car could be bought as a hotrod as I recall so possibly there was a model that could be optioned with disk brakes.

The rear will probably be harder to get disks for because it is so specialized, so I wouldn't even mess with it for now. Just go through the rears with new shoes and cylinders for now. The front does 80% of your stopping anyway.

The Foward Cab Corvair platform shares only parts with Corvair cars, and not suspension or steering. Not saying it can't be done, but it's easier on the Late Models because they shared drums, shoes and bolt patterns with Chevelles. No Corvair was offered with discs from the factory, and you really need a parking brake with an automatic as there is no parking pawl.

Because the engine is in the rear, the rears actually do more braking than the fronts, that's why the rears on a Vair are Chevelle fronts, and Vair fronts are Chevelle rears. This is not an "All you gotta do is" situation. Buy a proven kit for the safest route. Earliest are a tough one for that stuff. Lots of innovation out there, but if you haven't been around brakes before, lean on the experts.

I second the motion on fun with drums in the rain, especially if they aren't adjusted evenly!

 

[wsuwrhr]

The Foward Cab Corvair platform shares only parts with Corvair cars, and not suspension or steering. Not saying it can't done, but it's easier on the Late Models because they shared drums, shoes and bolt patterns with Chevelles. No Corvair was offered with discs from the factory, and you really need a parking brake with an automatic as there is no parking pawl.

Because the engine is in the rear, the rears actually do more braking than the fronts, that's why the rears on a Vair are Chevelle fronts, and Vair fronts are Chevelle rears. This is not an "All you gotta do is" situation. Buy a proven kit for the safest route. Earliest are a tough one for that stuff. Lots of innovation out there, but if you haven't been around brakes before, lean on the experts.

No shit? Not even the spyders? Wild. 4WD still have parking brakes BTW.

To me, weight transfer is weight transfer.

But clearly I was giving generic advice, not corvair specific advice. Never messed with them, but I always thought they were cool.

 

[HydroSkreamin]

Corvair's are the ugly duckling of the Chevy family, and I'm a hardcore Chevy guy. There are a couple of shops specializing in them, but mostly from a pure stock standpoint.

Have you checked out the fan/accessory belt that makes 2 90[SUP]0[/SUP] turns?:eek. They like to flip off between shifts due to fan inertia. Some repro belts don't cut the mustard. Stupid stuff like that and you overheat and junk an engine. I'd have a spare belt and the tools and knowledge to change it on the roadside.

 

[redone76]

Corvair's are the ugly duckling of the Chevy family, and I'm a hardcore Chevy guy. There are a couple of shops specializing in them, but mostly from a pure stock standpoint.

Have you checked out the fan/accessory belt that makes 2 90[SUP]0[/SUP] turns?:eek. They like to flip off between shifts due to fan inertia. Some repro belts don't cut the mustard. Stupid stuff like that and you overheat and junk an engine. I'd have a spare belt and the tools and knowledge to change it on the roadside.

Yeah I saw that craziness! I'm gonna get familiar with changing that belt for sure!

 

[buck35]

Yeah I saw that craziness! I'm gonna get familiar with changing that belt for sure!

I've never owned one , but check out the vw belt change while running on u tube! It nutz! :eek

 

[coolchange]

The belt throwing was pretty much solved with the magnesium non directional fan
I asked my brother. He is not parting with his rear seats. Theyre kind of rare. He thinks the guy is in Kings canyon that has all the parts. He's looking for the number.

 

[redone76]

The belt throwing was pretty much solved with the magnesium non directional fan
I asked my brother. He is not parting with his rear seats. Theyre kind of rare. He thinks the guy is in Kings canyon that has all the parts. He's looking for the number.

Good to know. Mine has the magnesium fan! Dang...I was hoping it was gonna be that easy but I don't blame you're brother for wanting to hold onto them. If he can get me that number I'd surely appreciate it! Hope the seats are not to expensive!

 

[coolchange]

I guess you know corvaircenter.com
Sending you a pm with a phone number.

 

[redone76]

I guess you know corvaircenter.com
Sending you a pm with a phone number.

Thanks for the phone number. I got with Dave and he hooked me up with a nice set of bench seats! That guy has a shitload of parts!

 

[coolchange]

:thumbup:

 

[redone76]

Time for an update to my Greenbrier thread. After I got her to fire up and run I drove it around the block and she ran great...parked it and went to fire it up the next day and it wouldn't start and I heard a lot of knocking. Looked underneath and saw that all the pushrod tubes were bent! Apparently the old fuel in the lines and tank gummed up the valves and stuck them in the seats. I got lucky working them loose and after replacing the pushrods and tubes and resealing the engine she runs like a top. So I decided not to take any chances. Replaced all the fuel lines and the fuel tank. After getting the engine dialed in I had some electrical and rust issues to tackle.
Resealed all the fixed glass. Side windows were a bitch!




Removed the rotten factory headliner panels and laser cut some thin aluminum panels to replace them with


I've been replacing a lot of parts but some highlights are all new shocks, new front carpet, new door seals, machined up new seat mounts to replace the rusted ones, installed a safari rack.


We took it to Ventura this weekend and she didn't let me down. Did a steady 65mph and only used 12 gallons for the whole trip. Its a handful at freeway speeds though. Not very aerodynamic!

Had a lunch stop at MadeWest brewery

 

[Willie B]

...that looks like one happy family...I wonder whether a 50 pound sack of something on the floor up front would make it a bit more stable at freeway speeds???...

 

[redone76]

...that looks like one happy family...I wonder whether a 50 pound sack of something on the floor up front would make it a bit more stable at freeway speeds???...

Thank you sir!! It's not that it's unstable it's just a big shoebox going down the road at 65mph and you can really feel the wind pushing it around. I know it sits high in the front but I'm a pretty big guy and it seems to level out when loaded up.

 

[AzGeo]

GM offered "sway bars" as options on all the Corvairs .

I would look into a larger (thicker) front and adding a rear sway bar to the vehicle .

Nader's whole premise was that the Corvairs should have had the sway bars as STANDARD equipment, and not options .

Wind buffeting causes body roll, sway bars prevent body roll ...........

 

[wsuwrhr]

I still have to say I dig how they sound.

The last one I built parts for had the intakes milled off the heads and a manifold bolted to it for triple PMO carbs on each side....

Thing sounded plain mean.

Brian.

 

[coolchange]

You came home kind of early didnt you?
Saw you east bound 126 around 10. Lol.

 

[redone76]

GM offered "sway bars" as options on all the Corvairs .

I would look into a larger (thicker) front and adding a rear sway bar to the vehicle .

Nader's whole premise was that the Corvairs should have had the sway bars as STANDARD equipment, and not options .

Wind buffeting causes body roll, sway bars prevent body roll ...........

Thanks for the info! I'll look into that for sure! :thumbsup

 

[redone76]

I still have to say I dig how they sound.

The last one I built parts for had the intakes milled off the heads and a manifold bolted to it for triple PMO carbs on each side....

Thing sounded plain mean.

Brian.

I put dual exhaust with Harley mufflers on mine. Its got a nice rumble at idle! I met a guy up north that milled off the intakes and welded in bungs for 6 big fuel injectors! It hauled the mail!

 

[redone76]

You came home kind of early didnt you?
Saw you east bound 126 around 10. Lol.

Yes sir! Small world! We wanted to beat the heat. One thing about the van is it sure heats up quick when you're not moving!

 

[coolchange]

I hear ya. I was goin the other way to beat the heat.lol Breakfast at the marina.
Looked good on the road. Needs some hippie curtains and a long board. Haha

 

[redone76]

I hear ya. I was goin the other way to beat the heat.lol Breakfast at the marina.
Looked good on the road. Needs some hippie curtains and a long board. Haha

Thanks!! We had donuts on the road. Funny you mention curtains because my wife thought the same thing and is already shopping for material to sew some up!