Oil lines 95% done.

Almost completed the oil lines. Came up short on one hose fitting. Don't know what happened, I'll get one next week. I'll focus on the fuel lines and installation of the fuel pump today, sure hope I have all the necessary parts to finish.

This photo is underneath the car, took some time but I think the lines came out ok.

A busy weekend ahead

With this box of parts that arrived yesterday and other boxing coming today, I should be able to make large leap on the to do list this weekend.

Plus clean up a little, getting a bit messy.

More stuff on the way

UPS will be making a visit by the end of the week(maybe 2). Ordered a throttle cable assembly, electric fuel pump and a few fittings for it.

The oil tank didn't have a connector for the oil temp gage. So I'm using a inline one between the oil tank and pump. After taking a second look, I realized the oil temp sending unit wound not have reach the oil tank anyway. So this worked out ok. The remaining oil line fittings should be in one of those UPS boxes and can finish those up.

Looking at the electric next.

Plumber's nightmare

Yes, a plumber's nightmare. As you can see from the earlier photo, things just don't line up. It would be nice if both water lines faced each other, but they don't. So this is the best I could come up with(blue tubes).

Mechanically, it will work just fine. Cosmetically, not so good. At least the body of the car will cover this area.

Oil lines 101

Installed the new connectors for the oil pump, as you can see from the photos the oil pump has to be separated in order to turn the connectors in.

Once the pump was installed I changed my mine in the way the lines are going to run. I'll order the additional fittings next Monday.

Completed the line from the oil pump to the cooler and ending at the oil tank.

Plumbing the lines

Had a long list of hoses and connectors on order. Everything arrived yesterday. This stage starts out like a jigsaw puzzle. You layout all the oil lines and connectors trying to find the shortest runs with the least bends. Making it all look organized can be difficult.

Looking good...

UPS delivered the modified bearing housing this morning and it's a perfect fit. Didn't take long to reinstall the engine, but I did have my fingers crossed for the measurement check. Every once in awhile things must go right. Next, plumbing the oil lines. That stuff should be here this Thursday.

Just waiting

Anticipating having the throwout bearing back this week from Brian. Placing a order today for all the oil & water lines and associated fittings, would expect to have this by Thursday.

On another subject, received a email from the "F5000 Drivers Association". They pay for the trophies, tent, advertising, food, etc. at all of the events during the season. They announced "Vintage Racing Services" has come aboard as a sponsor. Hope I might have had some influence on that decision. I was very happy with all the work Brian did .

2010 calendar

Ed Justice, Jr. sent me a dozen of his "Justice Brothers Products" 2010 calendars with a surprise, my Lola's on the front cover. The photo is from 1975, I think Riverside, taken by Ed Justice, Jr. Pretty cool. 1977 was the last time the Lola was in one of there products calendars.
http://www.justicebrothers.com/

Good news

Brian at Vintage Race Services can extend the bearing housing for the clutch and also said #10 oil fittings and lines will work fine for the oil pump. A small speed bump, but back on track. Heard from someone in Switzerland restoring a Lola T142 that had the same problem with their clutch setup.

Engine in...engine out...

Isn't this fun. OK, it really only took about 15 minutes to remove the engine. Before I bolted it in, I checked the clutch first and saw the problem. Eric sent a few more photos this morning and gave me a call. He felt the issue was the length of the carrier for the throwout bearing. Then gave Scott a call at Taylor racing whom I purchased the clutch from and he agreed, we needed a longer carrier. I needed to remove the throwout bearing for measurements, so I'll give Scott a call tomorrow. Brian should have a answer by tomorrow on the oil pump problem. 3 months to go before my first race. Don't have the time to sit on these problems like in the past.

Engine's back in the car........for now

Problem #4,231. With the engine back in the car and connected to the gearbox. I can now test the clutch. No good, a large space between the throwout bearing and pressure plate prevents the clutch from releasing. So basically, when you step on the clutch pedal, it would not release from the engine, so you could not shift. Eric has sent me some photos of his Lola T190 clutch setup, no space on his. I'm sure a simple solution exists, it's just going to take a few phone calls to find it.

Clutch pack installed

It all went together as planned. I like to use a dial indicator to make sure the clutch discs are centered to the input shaft, pilot bearing. Next on the list, reinstall engine.

New clutch

The new clutch discs and pressure plate arrived today, at about the same time I was grinding off the last weld, that was holding on the last bolt, on the flywheel. Looks as if it should fit with no unforeseen problems. And speaking of unforeseen problems, the oil pump has resurfaced with some plumbing issues. So the sooner I get the engine back in the car the better. Maybe tomorrow.

On order

Spoke to Scott at Taylor Race Engineering about the clutch that I would need. He had a few suggestions on spring rates and made up a package of parts I would need, and all in stock. Expect to have by the end of the week. Also was able to use my old flywheel, I just have to grind away the small welds that hold in the 6 bolts, and replace with new bolts. Now just hope it all fits and works.

Nice and easy

With the engine removed I can measure the gearbox input shaft for the clutch discs.

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Take another look at the flywheel on the engine and make sure the starter motor matches the ring gear. It looks like the two are a match, that's good. I guess a call tomorrow is in order, the parts needed should be on the shelf items.

Engine removal

Removing the engine to measure for and install a new clutch. If all goes as planned, the engine should be back in the car by the end of the week.