It seemed like they were out in force trying to reach the quota as there were two others in the area also pulled over.
Besides that, the traffic, construction and the long 16 plus hour drive all was OK. I pulled into PIR just around 11:40 PM and called it a night.
Got in to the track and unloaded the car to get it through tech. It seemed that all of the heavy hitters were there so I knew i would not finsh well but I wanted to get some more seat time in and get some more support from the vendors.
Wilwood was on hand and again helped me through some issues...Thanks Mike! Even though not resolved it was better than before.
The speed stop was more of a drag race up and back and parking your car into a one car garage while traveling 60 plus!!
The autocross was set up for fast running. With fastest lap set by Mary P.
The car made it through day one needing nothing more than gas and a few more tweaks to the shocks.
Day two was the track. Being a novice I was nervous because the speeds on this track were going to be fast. I had a really good instructor named Tom who showed me the proper lines, braking and shift points and got me going faster. This made the trip worth it as I had a good time and learned just that much more.
Made it through the first few sessions then the knockback on the car became worse and I started to feel some vibration and brake fade so I pulled it off the track. upon inspection I found that the pinion seal was failing and that the axle bearings seemed to be getting loose as I could rock the car and hear noise and see the rotors flexing. Packed it up and since the event ended early headed back home.
^ I take it the CHP doesn't have a good sense of humor?
Call you this weekend Efrain.
Not really..... there were three of them one on each side of the road but this one was in the center median under an overpass. He plucked me from between two trucks. On top of that he even gave me a ticket for tinted windows!!
After Portland i figured I would not attend anything else for the year and so the Sunday before last I set out to make a list of what I would fix first. I lifted the car and pulled the rear brakes and axles to see what the issue was. The rear pinion seal was shot and spread gear oil along the underside of the car and onto the brakes. I also melted a rear sway bar bushing because my exhaust dumps just before them and while the car was in the air I figured I would pull the trans to see what the issues were on my trans. While I was there I took the clutch, pp and flywheel off and called McLeod to arrange to have it rebuilt.
In pulling the trans I check the throw out bearing and noticed it had a bit of moisture on it. I had another new replaucement F-body mast that I bought just in case and compared the two and found that they were just sligtly different and that the one that was in the car did not compress as far and was not an AP part. Proble cause of my shifting issues.
I took the RST clutch to McLeod, since they are not far from the house and put it in for a rebuild. A couple days later I have this nice new shiney part.
So it is Wednesday and I am sitting at work not working and going back and forth with myself on rebuilding the trans since it was out or just dusting off a credit card and getting a Magnum. The consesus was to just get the new trans even though I did not want to spend the money I made a purchase through AMP. I couldn't believe it but it was at my door before 5 pm on Friday!!!
I rebuilt a 350 engine for it but later a friend offered up his old 383. I ran across an up and coming transmission vendor selling TKO 5 Speeds at the Pomona Swap Meet. Jeff and I spoke for a while and a deal was done for a TKO 500.
I also swapped out the rear for a 69 Nova posi I found in the Recycler. Looked at some information about brake swaps and put rear discs in from a Caddy.
At the same time I was doing the interior which was nothing special except for adding some vintage air to get rid of the old bulky AC unit. Some new carpet, panels, paint and cheap racing seats and I called it good.
Care to share the info of this "up and coming" tranny guy? thanks!
__________________ 1965 Chevelle, Pm me if interested in wheel tool rental
Before the trans arrived I was talking to David P. and he mentioned that Super Chevy was doing a suspension challenge although interested I did not know what was involed or what they wanted. On top of that my car is in pieces. He gave me Steve R's number, we talked and got a feel for what the wanted. I was really unsure because my car was apart and it was two days away and it was a two day event. But as i am on the phone with him and getting home the trans arrived so the wheels in my mind start going....hmmn a chance to get in a mag, two days to get the car together.....stupidity took over and I told him I was sure I could get the car together and make it.
I then call up my driveline guy to set up a Saturday appointment to shorten the driveshaft. He tells me he can't do it......crap!!!! being last minute I was not confident I could find someone so in another moment of stupidity I decide to put my old trans back in. Armed with a new clutch, slave and axle bearings and seals I go about starting to put the car together. I cleaned up the opil mess from the rear and goth that together first. i moved on to the clutch and got that installed and then it was on to the mofo trans. I got it up on a Harbour Freight trrnas jack and lined up before I called it a night. I was beat!
Care to share the info of this "up and coming" tranny guy? thanks!
I did the TKO switch a few years back. The TKO was from Classic Chevy 5 Speed when they were just starting out and selling out of Swap Meets. i meth them in Pomona.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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