On Schedule

Still on schedule.  Started the engine yesterday, sounded good and no leaks.  Also re-riveted the carburetor intake stacks.  They had started to come loose.  Today I'll replace the left rear shock.  Eric had removed his Armstrong shocks for a more updated version.   So he gave me his old ones.  1960's technology, but original.  These shocks had been rebuilt by the same guy who rebuilt mine.  

 2 small rivets at the base of each stack needed replacement.



Ready for the season.



Starter motor shaft.  The round piece on the right slides on the shaft to the left.  This gets loaded up with dirt and prevents it from engaging the flywheel to start the engine.

Gearbox completed

Gearbox is finished, engine oil and filter installed.  The battery is charged and ready for installation. Today I'll pull the starter motor and clean that up.  Do a little more cleaning, start her up and check for leaks.

Back to the race car

With the last antique show of the summer behind us, time to get back to the car.  Today I'll install  the gearset, change the oil and place the battery back in the car.
  I just heard from Eric, he was racing at a local event this past weekend and blew the engine up.  He is having his spare engine rebuilt, but it's nowhere near done.  Road America is next week.  If he can push the engine guy, there is always a chance he could make it.

Gear set

Received the gear set from Chuck Haines.  Looks good, really needed this one.  If I get time I'll finish up the gearbox this week, otherwise next Monday will be race car week.

Radiator installed

Picked up the radiator yesterday.  With a little plumbing and a few small modifications, it's installed, tested and ready to go. 
We have another antique show next week, one of those 4 day affairs.  I'll convert the truck to racing after the show.



Third gear on the way

Chuck Haines has a replacement for my third gear.  Used, but in very good condition.   Should arrive sometime next week.  Then I can reassemble the gearbox and get that out of the way.

Radiator at the shop

I needed to replace a fitting on the radiator.  The fitting on there now is a British size fitting, hard to match.  Much easier to replace with an AN fitting.  Dropped it off at the repair yesterday.  Should be ready Monday.

The one on the left is an AN fitting, like the one I had on the original radiator.

Radiator

Started to fit the radiator.  As you might remember this is the replacement for the Lola T190 radiator I was using last year.  The 192 radiator fits proper.  Just have to make sure the nose attaches without any interference.




A couple of nut inserts makes attachment more simple.

Watkins Glen

I did plan this one.  Was returning from one of my many trips to Geneva and plan a stop at WG.  I knew Mike and Nancy would be there with their F5000 car for a race event.  Spent a very nice afternoon chatting and taking photos.  Mike was testing a new set of radiators.  Last year he was having overheating problems.  Also Ken B. was in attendance, his Brother Steve and Steve's son Mitch are responsible for all the fantastic photos of the F5000 group at Watkins Glen. 

Mike's 1970 Chinook

WWII Weekend Sunday

Sunday's weather started out very nice.  Early in the afternoon the sky's started to get threatening.  An announcement was made that a major storm was on it's way and to take cover. I took refuge under the wing of a C-47.  In about 10 minutes the winds kicked up and it just poured rain.  Didn't last to long and there was no damage.  The sun returned and the show went on.

"FIFI" The only flying B-29 in the World.

 

  

Running for cover.





WWII Weekend Saturday

Perfect weather.

WW II weekend in Reading, PA

Back at Reading for the air show.  Working on the flight line.  Missed last year because of the conflict with the WG race. 
Friday's weather forcast was rain most of the day.  The rain stayed away.   Today should be a lot better.

Gearbox time

Pulled the gearbox apart and found my third gear (dogs) very worn.  This was the obvious reason for the problem at Road America last year.  Much more than the dog rings.  When the transmission was rebuilt, the re builder used gears from a FT200 trans(I think)and had to grind the dog faces down.  This could be the problem with premature wear.
   I've been working on gear ratios for the Pittsburgh event.  The track is 1.53 miles, and third gear will be used in 6 of the 12 turns.  Think I will talk to Brian to see if the gears can be repaired. 

Had no reverse or first gear at Road America last year.
Adjusted the shift linkage and now it works fine

  

Justice Bros. poster

Here's a nice purchase I made on eBay.  A large advertising poster featuring the Justice Bros. Lola in 1973.    The cars in 1974 required the side impact structures, this photo is basically how the car came from the Lola.  Mark Waco was the driver.  Poster was still in it's original tube, never hung up.  Photo by Ed Justice Jr.

Eric's home

It was a non[-event for the pickup of Eric's car, no 10 day wait.  So he's back home working on the engine change and will have plenty of time to make the first event in Calif.
   I just received the new dog rings and will begin work on the gearbox this week.