Paint ordered

Ordered a gallon of each color. I use two different yellows, one is for a 1974 GMC motor home and the other comes from a 2000 Ford. The Ford color is the base coat, an extra expense but produces the desired color. A gallon is more than I need, but always worried one day they will outlaw acrylic lacquer paint.

Goodyear tires

I've placed a order with Goodyear tires for 2 sets. This should put me on top of the list for next years tire supply. Not taking any chances. The set I have now should be ok for one more event.

Flying with a unwanted passenger?

Since the purchase of the race car 3 years ago, my flying has gone from 3 times a week to once a month. The biggest problem of using the plane only once a month are birds like to make nest in areas like the wings and tail. Mice are also looking for a place to make a nest for the winter. If you're flying all the time, this isn't a big problem. Less time invites more trouble.

The other day I planned a short trip and arrived at the airport expecting a uneventful day.
After starting the engine and beginning to taxi to the runway for a engine run up, I noticed a little less power than I'm use to. This small decrease in power continued during the engine run- up and mag check. Also was picking up a faint vibration. A passenger would not notice the problem, but having over 1000 hrs flight time in this plane, you just know something is not right.
So back it went to it's tie down spot, no flying today.

The next day I removed the cowling to look for the problem. The first place to look was the carburetor air box which is underneath the engine.


Ah ha!, a nest inside the carburetor air cleaner box.

The culprit is caught on camera. A non-paying passenger. This mouse was getting ready for winter. He had build a complete nest inside the air cleaner box.

This was the problem, blocking the carburetor and sucking in some nest material. Once this was all cleaned out the plane again purred like a kitten(which I could of used).

News Flash

Just received my copy of Road & Track magazine(Nov. issue) and found a very nice article written by Sam Posey on the recent Bobby Rahal event at Watkins Glen this past June. I also just received notice that the Watkins Glen event has been cancelled for next year. The old "I have good news and bad news".
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Link to Road and Track article.

Next update November 1st

The car is going to take a back seat to other projects that have a higher priority. Next update will be November 1st.

A day at Hershey

Wow, what a nice day, not a cloud in the sky. When I first get there, I stop at 3 vendors who might have F5000 race programs and photos. My main race program guy was going out of business and this was going to be his last show. He had already disposed of 22,000 race programs to one person. His booth was basically empty. This is starting to be the same story over and over again. Most of the guys selling this stuff are 70+ years old. There's no one to pass the torch too, so they just end up quiting. The other 2 vendors had nothing. Spent the day, but went home empty.

One of those "what is it" cars.

Saw this guy while I was in the parking lot eating my lunch. I don't think he's looking for a starter motor for his "39" Plymouth.

Hershey next week

Back to the old car meet/flea market located in Hershey, PA next week. This is the big one, got to have a good pair of walking shoes to shop this one. The pickin's are very slim for race stuff, but I might just get lucky this year.

Need a headlight for your Model "T"? He's probably got it.

http://www.hersheyaaca.org/fallmeet.html

F5000 Photo Book

A very nice book of F5000 photos and race results on the Mitty and Road America events this past summer. The book and photos are designed by Linda Kramer, a photographer with the zest for racing. It's a hard cover book with 36 pages produced by http://www.shutterfly.com/

Radiator

Eric found another source for radiators, a California outfit. The radiator in the Lola T190 is the same as a T192. Eric also has one that is damaged and is planning on having it repaired by this company. I guess I'll wait for the results.
The aluminium radiator support will be coming via a race team that's in Easton, PA. They race prep a F5000 car and are in California for the last F5000 event next weekend. I expect they should be back the second week of October. Easton is less than 40 miles from me so it's a close pickup.

A Tinsmith I'm not

Started to tackle the rad. support. First used the hydraulic press for the big creases, then switch to a hammer and block for the rest.

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Looking better, but still a lot more work is needed.

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On another subject, the antique show went well, lots of sales.

Antiques

We have another antique show this weekend. Then next week I hope to spend a little more time on the car.
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Had mentioned this before. Here's one of the aluminum pieces from the shroud with "Waco" written on it. Mark Waco drove the car in 1973. Another case of the radiator shroud being repaired. When trying to confirm a cars history, always like to find evidence like this.

More rivets removed

Drilled out the rivets that hold the 4 directional pieces that control the air flow into the radiator. I will straightened them, but I might make new ones anyway.

The 4 pieces are in the middle of the radiator support.
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Not the first time the nose has been repaired. This photo is from 1975 taken by Ed Justice Jr. The damage to the front appears not to be to bad, until you look at the right suspension and see some parts have been torn off.

Up on stands

Had a couple of spare hours today and placed the car back on the stands and removed the wheels. Also do a little more work on the radiator support drilling out rivets.

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I've been looking on eBay for the past 3 years in search of Justice Bros. fender covers. At last I found one, it's never been used and was still in the original bag. I date these from the 1970's of 80's. Now I just need one more for the other side.

Watkins Glen

Spent Saturday at Watkins Glen for the vintage race weekend. The weather was perfect and the cars were many. I think about 500 vintage racers. I did find Paul Dudiak working on his F5000 McKee getting it ready for his late afternoon race. His was the only F5000 car there. Had a chance to talk to him about tires. Most everyone is using Avons and he mentioned that the F5000 series is considering mandating that all competitors in the series use ONLY Avon tires for 2011. I will be very disappointed if this ruling goes in effect for next year. Historically my car with the majority of all F5000 cars used Goodyears back in the day. Avon started to make race tires in 1985. Nine years after the F5000 series ended in the US. Plus a set of Avons cost more.

Update

Still planning on heading up to Watkins Glen this weekend. Looks like one F5000 car will be there along with 400+ other cars.
Heard from Eric, he ran into problems with his clutch and then found a crack in his brake caliper causing it to leak brake fluid. So the car never left his garage. Said he has another event in 2 weeks, hopes to be ready by then.
The past antique show wasn't to bad, sold some stuff, made some money and will hope the next show is as good.