Watkins Glen, NY

I'm here, and the day is starting out very nice. Today is testing and driving schools for the new drivers. I will be crewing for Eric Haga in is Lola T190. Will post photos tonight.

Watkins Glen

Will be heading up to Watkins Glen for the historic races this weekend. Got the car close but not ready for racing. I'll be taking lots of photos and will try to get a few on here if I can find a good Internet connection.

Old exhaust

Going through a few boxes of spare parts I did find a couple of original exhaust pipes. Found three, but need eight. Going up to Watkins Glen next weekend for the historic races. Will be two Lola T192's there.

Change in plans

The engine woes have put the end to getting the car on track this year. So now there's no big rush to get the exhaust done. I think that will be done in October or November. Now with the oil pump in the right location I can start working on the oil lines.

Oil pump

The new oil pump brackets are the fix. It places the pump in the right location, but now all the other belts are in the wrong place. With the engine installed, I also see the water pump needs more space, it hits the roll bar. They make and long water pump and a short water pump. I need the short one.

Not so bad

I was surprised to find all went smoothly in the engine install. There a few items in the way, but this was discovered months ago.

Engine installation

The day has arrived, time to install the engine. The last time this car had a engine in it, was 1975. Fingers crossed, hope it fits.

Getting closer

Eric called the other day and in his research discovered the brackets to put the pump in the correct location, are for a Ford 351 engine(i'm using a chevy 302). Have ordered the Ford brackets and should be here today. I have my fingers crossed.

Little news

Eric and Reinhold, who I have mention before also own Lola's. Have sent me photos of there oil pumps. It is very obvious mine is wrong. But I now know what is needed. I plan to install the engine in the car anyway(without the pump). I really don't have any idea what other problems might exist.

The pump is to the right on the belt.

Eric's engine the pump is lower and closer to the engine

Oil pump

No Good.... I have a few phones calls and emails out. I might have a better idea today as my next move. The pump really does miss by a mile. When I'm at Watkins Glen in September, a couple of Lola's very similar to mine will be there. Lots of photos and notes for sure.

Engine's back

Picked up the engine yesterday, looks nice. But I think there will be a problem. The external oil pump for the dry sump system appears to be mounted to far out. I believe this will interfere with the tub. So this, along with a few other items to complete by September 9, makes Watkins Glen a no go with the car. I'm disappointed, by not surprised.

The Lola has landed

At last I reached a point where the car needs to be on ground. A little this, a little that, and it's back down to earth.

Talked to Jim today, the engine is on the dyno producing good HP, most likely I'll pick up the engine next Monday. Things are starting to move now.

Home sweet home

Departed Oshkosh early Sunday morning, the forecast was for good weather into Youngstown, OH.

My return flight plan takes me over Lake Michigan. I will have about 100 miles over water. Yes, I do carry a life vest on board.

The weather at Youngstown was OK. However the weather in Pennsylvania was my concern, the forecast wasn't that good. Just a few small pockets of rain, but visual, it was good so I continued.

Was greeted by a rainbow about 10 miles from home. We'll back to work on the Lola, maybe I'll give Jim a call and see if the engine is done.

Another Great day at Oshkosh

Saturday

A little rain early then sunshine the rest of the day, and very windy. The red barn, not to far from my camp site and they open 6am. Great coffee and the best place to connect to the WIFI.

My camp site is called the South 40. One of many sites for camping and parking. The rows start at 115 and go to 160, I'm at 144. This area holds about 350 planes. When you arrive the day after the show starts, you end up here. There be approximately 10,000 planes visit, so you can imagine the size of this airport.