Let's share some ideas on engine builders... I have a 3 fairly local guys I have contacted or will contact about my engine work coming soon.

And no their last name is not Pettis. :lol:

You can lead a horse to water......

It's been too long since an update... spill it. :D

:lol: Not much to report, but I'll do the best I can to make my progress sound significant.

1) Knockback
I measured 0.032" end play in each of my axles. It feels like a lot of movement, and it looks like a lot of movement, so I have been convinced that the end play is the source of my horrid necessity to pump the pedal 2-3x before every turn (autocrossing in this car laughable). Randy's Ring & Pinion basically laughed me off the phone when I asked them if 0.032" is the problem...but oh well, trial and error. Anyways, you all know the deal about how annoying knockback is, so my goal is to solve the problem and I don't mind if it's by process of elimination. Starting simple, I did knockback springs...those didn't work worth a damn so on to the next easiest thing, thicker c-clips.

I spent a LOT of time trying to track down thicker c-clips. Finally found a pair through TCE that they custom make in 0.175" width. This leaves me with a more acceptable 0.007" end play. I hope this fixes it, or it's back to the drawing board. I will get them in and post back...may not be for a while though because...

2) I Found a Chunk of Metal In Oil
Why is it everyone is having motor problems right now? It's a piece of steel, about the size of a grain of rice, and looks like casting. My best guess is that it is a piece of cam lobe that was fractured off. Last year at Buttonwillow when I found the broken rocker stud, I am figuring that the loose lash which cause the stud to break, was also hammering the solid roller lifter hard on the cam. Looks like I'm pulling the engine. Puts me in serious jeopardy for track time @ Buttonwillow 2012 but we'll see... either way I'll be down there! :captain:

It could be a valve spring tip as well and that's not a problem.

Well, you can take it apart now, but there's no guarantee you'll be ready for Buttonwillow, or you can take it to Buttonwillow, where it might take itself apart for you. Decisions, decisions :unibrow:

I'm curious if the thicker C-clips work. I heard that DSE tested all of their bearings on their test cars to make sure there was no more than .007" end play.

Matt

I hope your c-clip solution works for you, because then that makes all these guys with their expensive full floaters and floating calipers look like they overpaid. :D

Yeah these motors are barkin back at a lot of us here lately.... hope it's minor for ya but if not, it's a great opportunity for added power. :unibrow:

Maybe half of us committed for BW in Sept will be there without a car. :lol:

You guys better be there. I don't care if you need to get a rental car. Hell, maybe we should all just rent v6 Camaros or Mustangs. We could have our own spec racing series. Time to find out if Gaetano is as good as he claims!

Matt

That's actually a good idea.

Maybe my Police Interceptor would be fun to track. :_paranoid

Assuming I don't catch the same bug many of you have recently I'm planning to head to ButtonWillow from Sac in Sept and have lots of room in the truck for passengers. Should charge a fair for the trip??

Once down there you can rent some cars but don't forget the insurance...... Hertz typically has a yellow and black Vette you can rent that should be lots of fun. Reminds me of the scene from Days of Thunder on the beach.

Maybe I should also hold off on my registration and payment for the event. I know if Dave keeps upgrading he will want to sell his entry

Steve