[V8Vairs] 4.3 vortec engine swap

[Ed Dowds]

Carrine-
I have an '86 4.3 in my '66 500. I think there may be some differences 
between the '86 4.3 and a '95. I think the '95 has a balance shaft.
On the '86 the changes necessary were a new reverse camshaft, two timing 
gears to replace the two gear/chain setup, a reverse starter, special 
reverse engine front and rear crank oil seals and reversing the pistons on 
the rods to prevent piston slap when the engine is reversed.

When a 4.3 is reversed the way I did it no distributor mods are necessary 
because the distributor turns the same way it did originally. I just had to 
change the plug wires around on the cap to get the correct order. I am not 
using a computer so I combined a straight 6 HEI and a V8 HEI, from 1975 
engines, to get a non-computer V6 distributor with vacuum advance.

I believe the '95 would not have a distributor but I may be wrong. It may 
depend on original application.
You may not be able to run the stock computer knock sensor because the 
timing gears are sometimes noisy enough to trigger a false knock code.

I mounted the engine using a universal engine swap crossmember that goes 
under the motor and uses side mounts from a 60's SBC V8. I made some plates 
that drop down from the corvair engine compartment side rails to join to the 
ends of the crossmember.
I don't think the original subframe would be needed as it would make the 
rear of the Corvair even more weight biased.

Email me if you have any questions.

                                    Ed