Oil Downs

[padam]

It’s 11:10 pm and still waiting the call for 1st round elimination.

In the test and tune classes every other run they have to check the track for oil.

Do you guys think maybe this is because tracks don’t even pretend to tech the cars anymore?

 

[GTX JOHN]

At the Winternational maybe 10 years back, in my Mirada the braided line broke between the
Transmission and front mounted cooler about @ 100 ft. It oiled down the ENTIRE track in both lanes
all the way to the return road but it did not lose any performance (I did not see anything or look behind me).
It took them 123 Minutes to clean the track p(looked like a lawn sprinkler)and they were screaming mad at me!!

However, the was no rule in place to sanction or fine me (only for the Pros).

NHRA put into effect a rule for a fine and punishment for Sportsman Racers. To this day, a lot of racers refer
to it as the.... "Irving Rule"

I had just rescued/bought the car out of Larry Harroll(Deceased) back yard from his widow. The line looked fine
but the car had been sitting for a long time.

They stopped me on the return road and made me trailer it to a quarter car wash. I had ATF running out of the side
markers and everywhere else. Even losing all that trans fluid the car ran within a hundred of the first pass. I learn a
lesson about replacing Braided Lines that are old even if they looked perfect!

 

[padam]

Yep lotta transmission fluid last night.

 

[padam]

This is what I get for running my mouth. But at least I didn’t put any oil down.

Saturday after my second pass the engine was running rough on the return road and the oil pressure seemed a little low. But it was only 15 minutes between runs so the oil was pretty hot.
I nosed the car into the trailer and shut it off, meaning to check under the hood. Then I thought I would start it back up and see if held oil pressure at higher rpm. The engine sounded like it was about to throw a rod.

I ran it up in the trailer. Got it home and in the garage fearing the worst. It really sounded bad, a real banging sound.

No mixed fluids and no leaks. I pulled the valve covers and found the #2 exhaust pushrod was loose and bent. Top of the adjuster screw was broken off which is weird. I found the broken end laying in the head (lucky!) the lock nut was not tight.

I pulled all the plugs and cranking the engine with the starter there are no noises and it builds 40 psi oil pressure.

I tried to straighten the pushrod, but there’s only so much you can do.

I wanted to throw it back together to see how it sounds but the adjuster is too short for a lock nut.

I hope I can find a pushrod quick.

 

[RemCharger]

Sounds like an over torque on the adjuster nut. Have seen it quite a few times. Many blame the adjuster itself.

 

[Bird 426]

There is a reason why braided hoses get replaced on aircraft every 7 or 8 years, I forget which number, I no longer fly. Proper assembly and indexing of the hose ends is also important. The hoses do not like being twisted into position.

 

[padam]

Sounds like an over torque on the adjuster nut. Have seen it quite a few times. Many blame the adjuster itself.

I don’t think so. It broke off above the nut.

 

[padam]

There is a reason why braided hoses get replaced on aircraft every 7 or 8 years, I forget which number, I no longer fly. Proper assembly and indexing of the hose ends is also important. The hoses do not like being twisted into position.

I actually had an issue a few years back with my braided fuel lines.

I didn’t drive my car much then, just started it up now and then.

One day I started it in the garage with the hood up (off.) I was a little liquored up, and was wondering what the mist was around the engine. It was gas being pushed through the braided lines by the electric pump. Very lucky I didn’t have a fire that day. Didn’t do the paint on the top of my fenders any good.

 

[padam]

I ordered spare pushrods and adjusters from Smith Brothers today and I think they have shipped already. Nice!

In the meantime I made a new adjuster and straightened the pushrod.

I just got it back together and it sounds good.

 

[RemCharger]

How many threads do you have on top of the nut of the adjusters? That will show you where it broke

 

[padam]

Smith Brothers came through quick with 2 custom length pushrods and 2 adjuster screws.

Top notch service!