Engine

Started the race engine yesterday.  No leaks and sounded good.  Next on the list, change the gear ratios and mount the new Goodyear tires.  Having 4 weeks between races is just the right amount of time.

On schedule

Took the truck for a test ride yesterday, no leaks and everything working correctly.  Haven't got the car back together completely, but I still have 2 weeks to go.
We now have 13 F5000 cars entered for Road America so far.

2nd gear

Back visiting 2nd gear.  As you might recall, the 2nd gear I purchased on eBay didn't fit my gearbox.  One of the gears was too long.  Talked to Brian at "Vintage Racing Service" and he said he'd grind the gear down to fit.  Just got it back and we'll give it a try.  

Before

After

On other news, the truck is completed and ready for a test run.  Spent the better part of yesterday finishing the replacment of both fuel lines.  It finally came down to having to remove the turbocharger and a few more brackets for access to the left line. 

Fuel lines

Getting ready for Road America

With the discovery of the broken clutch, there was no need to inspect the rod and main bearings.  So back in the engine goes, with a new clutch pack.  That should be all hooked up by the end of the day.  Getting ready for Road America.

Watkins Glen Photos

Photos taken by Steve Bedford.  Click on link below

Watkins Glen Photos 2011

The smoking gun

As soon as I removed the clutch, the search for the vibration was over.  One of the clutch discs had shattered.  I'm glad I lowered my RPM's during the race at the Glen; the vibration would have been hard on the engine.  Why it happened, I'm not sure. 

Engine removed

With the engine out I can replace the clutch plates and inspect the bearings. 

Oil filter diagnoses

Cut open the oil filter and had a close look at the paper element.  Some very tiny particles, but nothing alarming.  That's good news, once the engine is out of the car I'll take a look at the bearings. It's real easy to do at this stage. 

The engine will be out of the car by the end of the day.

The search continues

Synchronized the carburetors with the tool I just received.  Did find the left bank in need of a adjustment.  But really don't know if this was the problem.  The engine does run smoother, but the real test is on the track at 7000 rpm under a load.  Next is to remove the oil filter and dissect it, looking for engine bearing material. 

Handy tool, just measures air volume.



It can't be all fun and games

The truck had a small fuel leak after we got home from Watkins Glen.  No idea what a big project this has turned into.  The fuel line on the right side of the engine had rusted through leaving a small pin hole.  The line is buried among the engine components making replacement a tough job.  Working on this van is like opening the hood on a pickup truck 1 foot high and trying to reach in, very little room.  I've also noticed the left fuel line is rusted, that one is next.  I've had to move the alternator, a/c and power steering pump along with covers and bunch of other stuff.  Lucky I won't need the truck in the next couple of weeks. 

Carburetors?

Ordered the clutch discs(requires 2). Spark plugs are on order.  I'm starting to focus on the Weber carburetors as a source of my engine vibrations. The engine uses 4 carburetors. 2 for the right bank(4 cylinders) and 2 for the left bank(4 cylinders). There is a chance the carbs are not synchronized. Certain cylinders will be getting more fuel than others. This would result in uneven explosions in 4 out of 8 cylinders. I've ordered a tool that will sync the carbs.  All this stuff should be here next week.

Vibrations

Still looking for that vibration.  No broken valve springs and the compression in all cylinders are good.  Another idea is I have a bad spark plug.  Whatever the problem is, I have to find it soon.  I need a new clutch and that requires the engine to be removed.  And that radiator, it's leaking.  Only when it's cold, so back to the shop with that. 

I finished

I actually finished the event this time.  Our qualifying race was moved back because of rain.  So we went out at 12:30 and that lasted 20 minutes.  Came in, had 10 minutes to do whatever and back to the grid for the main feature.  Wasn't very happy with the short time in between events.  Just enough time to add gas and hammer the wheel spinners.
For the qualifying race, I finished 3rd in class and 4th overall, but they go by lap time and not finishing position, so that put me in 1st overall and 2nd in class.
   The race was 12 laps and in that I finished 3rd overall and 2nd in class.  Tony Adamowicz passed me on the last lap.  Losing against Tony isn't so bad; he was the 1969 F5000 Champion.  Halfway though the race I started to get very bad engine vibrations and a loss of power.  So I'm hoping it's a broken valve spring and nothing serious.
  I came to this event with the main goal of finishing it without incident.  That was accomplished.  Now my focus is on Road America.

21 laps and 4 days later

Saturday qualifying went well; I has able to reach my target time of 1:59.  Last year I did a 1:54, but that was with new tires.  

  Saturday afternoon would be the qualifying race.  But the storms came about an hour before our race.  It turned out to be another stand around and wait afternoon, but the rain stayed.  We got here Wednesday and I've only turned 21 laps.  Last year it was fog.  Maybe June is not a good month. 

   Today they will try to do both the qualifying race in the morning and the main race after lunch.  As I write this blog, there is thunder in the distance.

 

Hey, I thought this was vintage racing.

Friday practice

The morning practice session only lasted one lap.  Rick Parson, who drives the Redman car, broke an oil cooler and slowly spread 15 qts of oil around the complete track.  He had no idea it was leaking.  They stopped the session to clean up the oil.  After a short time passed, they canceled the session.
So I really learned nothing in the morning.
   The afternoon session went well.  The new lines for the oil catch can worked, no oil was transferred into the can. I'm glad that problem is resolved.  The wheel toe in settings also felt more stable at high speed.  I'm going to leave them there for now.  I checked all the new wheel bearings, everything looked good.
The radiator had no leaks, that's good.
  This morning is qualifying,  I'm going to take it easy, my last time in the car was almost a year ago.  No more front rows for me.

Thursday, Watkins Glen

Garages are full.  

 I did talk to Eric, he was still in Seattle.  The car needed a couple more weeks of work to be finished. 

I'm  ready to go.  Friday will be practice, one session he the morning and one in the afternoon.

Watkins Glen, NY

Arrived at the track last night.  Unloaded the car and went over to Seneca Lodge where we we'll be staying.  Today is test day, but I won't be taking part.  I haven't seen Eric yet, I presume he is on the way.

Ready for Watkins Glen

All loaded up,  a project that lasted all day Tuesday.  The first event is always the longest.  It's suppose to be very hot the next couple of days.  So I'm happy it's done.

Car's done.

 At last, finished today.  The last was the toe in, toe out.  Used my aliment gauge I purchased on ebay.  Worked just like a new one.  I did find out my toe in was 5-6 degrees in the front (should be less than 1 degree).  I had made an adjustment between Watkins Glen and Road America; used the old string and tube system.  Nice to have the right tools now. 

My new cover, had the car measured at Road Atlanta last year.  Fits nice.

On schedule

Scheduled to leave Wednesday for Watkins Glen.  So far everything is looking good.  Should have the car off the stands by the end of the day.  Lots of little things to do, but the major work is completed.

Watkins Glen F5000 entry list

Jim Kelleher is tentative.

Re plumbing

Moving the oil breather lines.  Last year my catch can would load up with oil from the oil tank.  I'm trying moving the valve cover breather lines straight to the the catch can and bypassing the oil tank.  This way I can eliminate one line off the oil tank.

I think this was the problem line, I can now eliminate it and close it off.