Apologies for the lack of updates I've been super busy with work, which is good. Been making some upgrades to the tank ready for Pendine, superchargers on and I had first drive around the carpark yesterday since fitting it. Also been working on the body work...
It's coming along very nicely now Jamie. The cage cover looks good and I'm now wondering if a perspex bubble is in the plan, no more sand in the teeth.
The best looking new build Tank there is hands down, a total credit to you. Will be eagerly waiting for the real test on the sands of Pendine......can't wait. JW
Got busy punching louvers this weekend, some to add ventilation for the driver compartment, as Burnard (282dooruk) has guessed I'm planing a lexian/ perspex bubble canopy, and some around the carburettors for air intake, No fancy press for these just a bolt on die and handheld punch, it's very labour intensive and you have to weld up all the bolt hole that align the die but it gets the job done.
What a cool idea!! The way i see it, if they all face back they will act as extractors and cause a low pressure on the inside, only air getting in will be from axle and exhaust cutouts, the faster you go the more effect there will be. JW
Well Pendine has been and gone and was not a great success for me and the tank, I got two runs on the Saturday, I was really excited as all seemed well the supercharger was boosting well and the engine sounded lovely.....first run and It pulled like a train in second but on the change to third I lost traction and by the time I got traction again it just seemed to bog down. The speed came through at 97mph which to be quite honest I was a little disapointed after fitting the supercharger I was expecting over the 100mp. So on too run number two and I was thinking give it the beans/long shift into third and hopefully power into the hundred mile an hour club..all was going well pulling like a train in second third gear change at about 75mph, at this point boost pressure was around 10psi ,and it all went wrong lost power and just about managed to get a time of 94mph. On the run back it was obvious something was wrong and when I stoped in the pits water was pouring out of the exhaust. Thinking I'd probably blown a head gasket and could possibly be in the running for Sunday me and Steve my good buddy and chief pit crew boss headed back to the workshop to get a spare head gasket and some tools. By the time we got back the belly tank had cooled down so we set about taking the head off but inspection of the head gasket revealed no faults and closer inspection of number six cylinder revealed a nice hole in the cylinder wall that I could almost get my finger in. So there ended the racing for the weekend, It was getting late and with no chance of racing on sunday the only thing left to do was head to the Springwell pub have several beers which turned into a cracking good night. The engine could be sleaved but I also have a spare block that I'm going to magnaflux and pressure test this week, before I make my mind up whether to repair the existing block or start again. What I've learnt form this is don't be too gready on the piston size and keep the boost a litle lower. Although blowing up the engine was a bit of a downer I still had a great weekend and have to say a big thanks to Neil, the Sidewinders, the people of Pendine and everybody involved in making this superb event happen.
Bummer. I saw you run on the Pendine thread video and saw the smoke / steam near the end. Good luck with a new engine combo.
It's a real shame that Jamie. The car looked and sounded great on the first run, but I could see it was a bit squirrelly. I missed your second run so didnt realise you had a problem. I was very surprised not to see your name on the 100mph club list! At least it wasn't any more catastrophic than blowing the block. Here's some footage....
Bad luck but you will be back, I ran ( if I remember righty ) 99.98 mph before going back the next year to run over the ton and claim my t-shirt.
Bad luck indeed, but it looked and sounded so good. As i recall, all the cylinder walls were rather thin so if you do re sleeve as i am sure the rest of the block checked out good and all the other work you did to it, i hope you do all eight and reduce the piston size. Look forward to following the rebuild. JW
Hi JW I think your right best way to go if I repair the block is probably to sleave all eight and not be so greedy on my piston size. I like your perspective. Thanks for the Video Marc, and as you say its only blowing a block could be a lot worse, saw a guy spin a very nice 32 roadster last weekend at the MPH sprints, bloke was OK but the roadster was definitely worse for ware.
Yes, I was sorry to hear of your misfortune. I know you will come back stronger and faster next year. having your own boring bar is certainly an advantage for you. Good luck with it.
Now that is cool The run-in and run-out noise reminds me of WW2 aircraft taxi-ing. Well done sir. Cheers, Harv
Gearing up for this years Pendine races, I've been putting together a new engine over the winter and finaly got it ready to go in the tank. very similar specks to last one 4" merc crank, Ross 3 5/16" forged pistons, billet center main cap line bored to match, Isky Max one cam with Manley valves and springs. Body coming off, makes it alot easyier to work on the engine.
Look forward to round three and watching more development on the Tank. I'm about to give mine a fright and get stuck into it. JW
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