1971 Firebird Build ("The Other Woman", a.k.a. Project "T.O.W.")

[GrabberGT]

Originally Posted by carbuff

Day two is all wrapped up now. We managed to avoid rain all day, until 6:00 when I was at dinner at least, so the auto-x went off without a hitch.

It was MUCH cooler today, and most cars reflected that with slower times. I got in 4 runs again today, and none were faster than my 70.8 with the blown stop yesterday, but my last run of the day was a 71.6, which was good enough for 6th place out of the group of 45 or so (that's what the announcer said) in the Street Machine class.

Again, TOW did great, but I do have a small problem. It looks like I may have lost a seal in the steering rack, although that's not confirmed yet. I think that the boots on each end of the rack are not supposed to have fluid in there, but for some reason, there is a crossover tube that came out which has some kind of oil (which must be PS fluid) coming out of it. It looks like that tube just connects the 2 boots, and my guess would be that it is there to equalize the air in the boots side to side so that as one compresses and the other expands, the air just moves side to side. Anyway, my pump is losing fluid, so this must be the issue. I'm glad I threw the extra quart I had into the trunk before I left on the trip!

I've had a blast driving this weekend, and I'm looking forward to doing a lot more. I need to spend some time driving the car to get used to it and then I can start experimenting with the setup. I have a lot to learn, but based on my results, I have a good base from which to start!

The Fort Worth GG was a great show. The turnout today was great given the weather projection. I was able to check out several of the cars which made the Road Trip from California to Austin as well as spend some time looking over the 'pro' cars. Some serious work on those cars!

I didnt realize that was you over there. I did take note of the serious machinery you brought to the event. Very nice car. Your last run had me sweating. I had been in 5th place for most of the event and you almost knocked me off the board at the end of the day. In the spring, get there by 8 and come park up with the rest of us.

Hope you come out in the morning. You'll get more runs in.