So, to bring things up to date...
Firstly, I broke out the Autoglym, fitted some suitable tyres and headed to Fordfair.
Thanks to the huge queues and sneaky campsite entrance i actually found myself on the stand quite early so got time to actually take in some of the show. Good to meet and re-meet a few of the pp members.
The makeshift bonnet strut got some comments!
I`d booked a couple of afternoon tracktime sessions and had a great hoon.
Being an experienced track driver, on decent tyres in a set up car, It`s easy to look like a driving god at Fordfair.
A few cars gave me a scrap, This guy gave me the race of the day (I came out on top)
It`s ashame I had no dashcam I passed the entire field in my second session. (I went out second last because I was carried away chatting and realised I was less than five minutes till my session... and mid ice cream!)
This vid is from a pro modified Focus 225 that went out behind the pace car..
and I pass him on 19 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S4v0UPjqIA
Bang on cue for my third engine to explode.. :teary:
Right in front of the camera!
As I passed him I felt a knock (you see the car kick) then another, and so on, until.. it turned into a box of nuts and bolts.
As he starts to pull up on me, the car is visibly shaking!
I limped it home and looked forward to having an engine to swap in two weeks before my Angelsey Sprint!
Great :roll:
I had originally had an epic week of sprinting and trackdaying planned, taking in Curborough and Angelsey.
That obviously, went out of the window!
But I did still have a week off work.
..And a well maintained donor engine.
....And the weather gods smiled :grin:
......And... Just to make my bank managers` blood boil, a chap popped up on facebook selling a lightened flywheel
So I reached deep into my overdraft and shelled out on this.
Like everyone, Iv`e heard horror stories regarding these machined flywheels exploding!
But as it has been used (hard) in a rally car, I`ll take my chances that it`s a good `un.
So..
day 1. Identify problems and acilliaries off
day 2. Engine out and stripped
Day 3. `New` engine cleaned built up and `breathed on` (flywheel arrives)
Day 4. Engine in and start, second turn of the key (forgot the engine earths)
day 5. Eat, bathe and sleep...
day 6. Take car to Angelsey for my rebuilds baptism of fire..
As I have done this several times over, I didn`t bother with a photo story.
One thing I did do differently, was be utterly fastidious in my work.
Check, check and check again. Everything..
And boy is it clean inside that engine bay now!
So, onto day 7...
The car felt quite different.
The power delivery felt smoother. but stronger.
Possibly down to cam timing being absolutely spot on.
I found when building the engine that it took a couple of attenpts to get it precisely right.
Last time I was pushed for time and I doubt it was a close as this.
A 33% lighter flywheel no doubt helps too!
Most cars were setting similar times to last year (all slightly quicker, a few standing still)
I utterly smashed my time from last year.
Setting a 1:49.49 Down three & 1/4 seconds from last years 1:52.75
My careful rebuild, flywheel, FRP LSD box, LMS plenum and proper sprint tyres probably cost the best part of £1275 but have given improvements in results on par with guys with 10k engine builds.
Feeling Smug
A stiff gearchange meant dropping to second for the slower corners meant it was more trouble than it was worth.
The video below is my last and fastest run. Hitting my target (sub 1.50) with the last run of the day. 1.49.49
I take two corners in third when really i needed second.
Oh boy the engine tone changes when you drop of the power!
I really need to look at that..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl9-sz-ERic
I am really pleased that the engine didn`t skip a beat. not a spot of oil or loose bolt.
Needless to say, I am smashing the championship class too ;-)
I`m not sure whether I heard a wheel bearing squeaking while creeping forward in the queue.
But that is ongoing maintainence.
Though I might just make some changes here, I`ll think about it..