Monday 31 May 2010

Progress - Trailer to move car


Major progress with the collection of a trailer from http://racingfive.co.uk. I can now think about applying for events, as I can move the car. The car, being very low was interesting getting on to the trailer, mainly because of the side protection bar which connects under the drivers footwell. I'll have to check heights, as there may be an issue with min. ground clearance in the Blue Book.

Stripped off the silencer, for a clean-up and to see where I was getting a leak from.
The silencer, and mounting bracket got a rub-down, and paint. The leak is from the coupling to the headers, so will have to do so more 'fettling'

Here's a driver in the making :-) Youngest daughter thinks she should have a run !

Next job, get it down the road for a run on a rolling road to get carbs etc setup
Also, making some new brackets for mounting the seat

Sunday 23 May 2010

Back to an old interest


In an attempt to maintain sanity (Is that possible), I've bought a competition car with the intention to compete in some hillclimbs / sprints. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this branch of motorsport, it involves driving your vehicle over a course against the clock. Sprints are on levelish circuits/ courses, sometimes parts of race tracks; hillclimbs are driving on courses up hills !

To stump my detractors who know me, I've bought a ready build car, which has competed previously to some success in places like Loton Park, which is only a few miles from where I used to live. Here's old age, I can remember seeing Peugeot 205T16's competing for the first time in the RAC Rally Nov 84, against Audi Quattro S4, which 'jumped' between corners !. Just a blur of colour and sound !

I've had the car a few weeks, had to have it transported from Colchester to Scotland, but have been stuck as the car is not road legal, and needed a trailer to transport the car. However, that was resolved yesterday, with the purchase of Kev Hamilton's trailer.

Here's an idea of the spec

SYLVA LEADER HILL CLIMB CAR 1860CC BORED, TUNED CAM, NITRIDED CRANK, ROLLER ROCKERS, BAFFLED SUMP, TWIN 45 WEBBER CARBS, STARTED AS A FORD CVH.

PADDLE RACING CLUTCH
TONY LAW EXHAUST AND MANIFOLD SYSTEM.
ALLOY CASED FOUR SPEED QUAIFE GEARBOX WITH STRAIGHT CUT CLOSE RATIO GEARS.
ONE OFF BELL HOUSING MADE OF ALLOY
ONE OFF PROPSHAFT
ELECTRONIC REV LIMITER
SPAX ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION
LINE LOCK
SHIFT LIGHT
PLUMBED IN FIRE EXTINGUISHER
LUKE HARNESS
COCKPIT RAIN COVER
ORIGINAL FRONT

I've got a number of jobs to do to get it ready for being used in anger, and be able to obtain a MSA Competition Logbook, and pass scruitineering(safety checks).

  1. Flush brake system with new fluid
  2. Fit brake light & mirror for use at Knockhill race circuit track nights
  3. Overhaul carbs (twin dcoe 45), then get on rolling road to check set-up
  4. Refit seat - found it was located by 4 large coach bolts, through some 3x2 wooden blocks !
  5. Seal drivers footwell from engine compartment, it needs a cover over the pedal box to seal that area
  6. oil & filter change on engine, may include timing belt
  7. re-route top radiator hose, currently lying above exhaust manifold, and so is highest part of circuit, not good for air locks !
  8. General cleaning & tidying, checking of fixtures & fittings
  9. matching car to trailer - chocks, tyre rack etc
  10. connector for slave battery
Not a major list, but requires some time and reasonable weather, as there's no shelter yet to work on it. I'm waiting on Screwfix to deliver some roof sheets !.

So there's a start, updates & more pictures to follow,