Finishing the racecar blog. Yes?

[luvtolean]

We are going to get on track this year, there is a free test day at Thunderhill on 12/23. Hope it doesn't rain.

EH? With whom?

Edit: http://www.thunderhill.com/html/get_...ill_at_the.HTM

I'm going to be up in that area visiting friends and family anyway, maybe I'll go check it out.

[Horsewidower]

Well, same story next chapter. We are at the start of week two on trying to get it to run. On starter number 3, got that call at 6 tonight. I'm starting to think that we should yank the ECU and send it back to haltech for a check. Shad left a message that he is going to switch the wiring on the crank trigger sensor, when he advances the computer timing it retards the engine timing. ??

[Horsewidower]

At the end of week two, we have 1 more broken starter, a car that will idle on 35 lb injectors, but can't seem to sustain consistent timing. I told them to lock the timing at 25 degrees and get on to modeling the fuel curve. We made the decision to spend the first season in American Iron instead of American Iron extreme, so that limits us to about 290 horsepower or we will not be legal or will have to add weight. Spent way to much on a set of the spec Toyo RA-1s (man I love the smell of new race rubber)(hmmm, hope gator doesn't get excited), unfortunatly in order to get the amount of tire I wanted we have to go to a 17 inch wheel. Try and find a 5x5 17 inch wheel that costs less than $550 per wheel. I've got a line on some CCW centers for a reasonable price, and CCW will roll some shells to spec. Finding 7 inch backspacing on a 9.5 inch wide wheel pretty much requires a 3 piece modular.

I reminded the shop that I need the car back soon if I'm going to make the open test on the 23rd. This is sounding like deja vu all over again.

[Horsewidower]

Well, trailered the car home today. Starter (s) finally stripped the teeth off the flywheel. Looks like a thrash this weekend to get everything off and a flywheel ordered on Monday. Still hasn't been dynoed.

Mike, how about an order of crocodile??

[Horsewidower]

Thanks, that should tide me over. A question though, do I spray it on me or the car!!

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Nachos and a case of Corona work better. After a while you won't care if it runs. You'll just want another Corona.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

I already want another Corona.

I'm holding your Corona right now, which basically means that it's MY CORONA!

[Horsewidower]

You guys slay me!!

Well, after picking up the racecar (can I call it that, its never raced and seems to have the attitude that it just doesn't want to) and dropping it off at the shop, picking up a miata that we are going to turn into an open track car for a couple of buddies, moving a 16,000 lb chiller out of the shop to make room for the miata, I just didn't have any energy to yank the flywheel. So we sat around in the shop and drank Henie and bull****ted until getting too cold and coming home.

Damn I could have used a Corona!!

Bob

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Can't you just install a new ring gear on the existing flywheel?

[Horsewidower]

Interesting, I'll have to see if that will work. Here is the way it looked going in:

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[Horsewidower]

Mr. Ford had the same idea. I've got an 8n tractor, maybe use of the crank handle would be advantageous at this point.

I believe its a one piece steel flywheel. I wish I could find my notes.

Bob

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Yes Mike, I am very familiar with replacing ring gears. There are ways that they can be replaced easily, but rookies can get hurt big time if they stray from precautions regarding safety.

[Horsewidower]

Alright, I'll bite. I'm a rookie, tell me how to keep from hurting myself.

Bob

[Horsewidower]

Just got back from yanking the transmission and flywheel. The flywheel is one-piece. Looks like the cause was a couple of the 4 bolts that hold the transmission to the bellhousing had worked loose.

We'll see how fast we can get a new flywheel and get back on track. I've got the NASA exec ready to tech the car, so I need it back together.

Bob

[Horsewidower]

HRPworld got the flywheel drop shipped to me by Quartermaster. I worried for a little bit because the pn had been dropped in the latest QM catalog. Apparently they had 5 sitting there at QM ready to go. I got it in 2 days. Not bad.

The bellhousing was a lost cause, thankfully I have a couple extras. Had it machined to spec and its ready to go. I'll spend tomorrow making sure everything meshes properly and, if it does, we'll be back to the dyno/computer doc on Monday. I don't think we will make the 23rd, but I've paid for track time on Jan 2. It better not be raining!!

John Lindsey with Nasa may still come by on Saturday and look at things. I know we will have to alter a couple of items to run in AI instead of AIX so it'll be interesting to see what he comes up with. I'll report back.

Bob