FLATCAD RACING Bonneville 2011 Build

The Last Engine Thrash - and it was a Doosey!

Buddy arrived bright and early on Thursday - so ALL we needed to do was the final engine plumbing (dry sump, oil, fuel and water), then a few last minute things . . . and we'd be magically ready to pack it up. Again - ******** optimism was our enemy . . . this was a LOT more work than even two people could do in a day. But heck - that didn't stop us one damn bit from trying!

Late Thursday - Into Friday . . . we quit at about 11:30 Thursday evening and started up again at 7:00 Friday morning. It took all of Friday to complete the engine, pack up the truck with a TON of FlatCad stuff and load the engine.

******** Sickness : I rarely get sick, but sure as hell . . . came down with a bad chest cold and a fever on Thursday - got really bad on Friday afternoon. (My wife missed 3 days of work this week - and she is TOUGH!)

Shaking Like a Dog ****ping Razor Blades . . . I was working the lathe with my damn teeth chattering the whole time -- fever, chills and coughing like hell. I'm thinking to myself -- "am I nuts, this is just an engine and I'm killing myself over it???" Can't tell you how many times I wanted to throw in the towel and tell Buddy "I just can't do this anymore today . . . ". Stuck it out - just needed to get it done. Okay - enough pathetic whining . . . wah, wah, wah . . .


Onto the Final Hours . . .

1) Plumbing Work: First of all, I had my opinion on how best to plumb the engine -- but knew that until Buddy arrived, it didn't make sense to do so.

It takes $500 - 700 just to plumb a dry sump . . . then add to that a more complex oiling system, fuel, water, etc - you can see where this is headed! (too much time and money). Thank gosh we'd bought most of the AN fittings/hose last summer - but we needed to flush out the rest. Buddy's wallet screamed a bit, but that is just the way it goes with this ****.

2) Injector Pump Setup: We decided to move the injector pump from the original location on the back of the dry-sump pump (no room for it) to the timing cover (standard stuff). This required a pump extension to get it past the blower belt. Luckily Fowler had these on the shelf and he quickly put together a 2.5" long version and I went and picked it up. We talked to John Beck about the other fuel system lines and all he really needed was the pump mounted, the shut-off valve mounted and the single main feed line to the Enderle hat. That saved us some time (at least for now).

3) Dry Sump Mandrel and Drive: We use a custom drive mandrel (Fowler made) that mounts inside the crankshaft blower drive hub/support snout. It uses a standard 1" drive hub to mount an HTD sprocket to drive the pump. The mandrel needed to be shortened 1/2", and a new hub keyway cut . . . there goes another couple of hours.

4) Dry Sump Belt Tensioner: I bought a little timing belt tensioner from Eslinger - just to have something to work with. Had to figure out how to mount this to my dry sump mount and put a bit on tension on the belt. We completed this about 10:30 last night.

5) Bitter Sweet . . . The End of the FlatCad Era in My Shop: One side of me was happy to have completed the engine and hand it back to Buddy, the other side was a bit sad to see it go. We've become close friends over the last 1.5 years (Buddy, me and the engine!), . . . so it was with some sadness that I saw it leave on the back of Buddy's truck. On the other hand - I can now see my shop floor once again . . .

Here are the parting shots . . . packed up and Buddy's **** (he won't take pictures - even if you ask, he always hides!). LOL!






Saturday: I needed sleep very badly and hopefully get a bit better. Just don't have time to be sick or for it to get worse. I've taken most of the day off today, but there is much to do tomorrow.

Buddy is on his way back to Colorado -- he has to be beat tired as well and I only hope he doesn't get what was killing me . . . cause it will kick his ***.


Reality Gauge - Always Tough When it Stares You in the Face!:

We need to decide if we can make the dyno next week - we've really pushed it and need to stand back and make a realistic decision on what we need to do and when.

Buddy is on a really tight schedule and I'm not sure he/we can do all that he plans in the very short time he has scheduled. Isn't it always like that with this stuff?

My Reality: Some of this is a result of my over optimism and unrealistic aspirations. I've over-committed and taken on too much at times - guess it is my nature. It is hard to stand back and be thoughtful and realistic when you're in the thick of the hunt. We're all works in progress my friends - just need to keep learning along the way!

I'll let Buddy update you all on the infamous 'Next Steps' and ***ociated schedule!

Parting Words:

I for one . . . can't wait to see this beast on the dyno, then on the salt . . . these will be larger than life experiences -- and aren't they grand!

Be back soon my fellow hotrod friends . . .

B&S

 

Man Dale those heads are BEAUTIFUL!!!... really can't wait till you guys come down here to fire her off......... and Tim would love to see ya too ifn you can make it..........

 

Dale I really respect not only your meticulous work but your dedication to this project. For someone to take an engine of this age and bring it into the 21st century is not only a feat of epic proportions but just plain off the scale in the true hotrod spirit. I am SO looking forward to the dyno reports. I don't even give a rip if my hp and torque guess wins, I just wanna see (and hear!)what this beautiful beast does. Many Mahalo's, Eli

 

Wow! The Flatcad really looks impressive!!
Dale, you have done a fantastic job, have learned so much from your posts. You, Buddy and the rest have done this thread to the best threads here on the HAMB.

Dale, after reading your last posts, i was actually tired myself!
had to go ly down!

As Eli said, just wan't to hear her run!

Kjell

............................
Taildragger&fenderless

 

Thanks Carl and all!

Chris Daniels did the hard SolidWorks design work and Kevin and Don did all the beautiful machine work! I was just a design voice and inspiration for the work.

We've adapted a lot of Harley KR work and other ideas/experiences to the design. I'm curious and hopeful that the KR concept will work, but we really don't know if they will - or if we'll need new chambers for BVille.

 

Sunday AM . . . Back From the Dead!

Beautiful sunny day, daylight savings time is here . . . feeling pretty darn good once again!

Dyno: I just completed a 'punch list' of all the little **** that needs to be ****oned up and done to really be ready to put this on a dyno and not waste a bunch of time and money doing so - I can't see it happening next week. Gosh knows we've tried - but you can only push so hard and fast.

Next Steps: Buddy will regroup, rethink and plan the next FlatCad steps . . . I know he'll keep you all informed - just as soon as he gets the cobwebs out of his travel-tired brain and can think once again! The real fun is about to begin!

Meanwhile - I'm going to clean up my workshop and dust off some old projects that need attention . . . will keep you ALL posted

You'll see some interesting stuff coming out of my closets . . .

B&S

 

YES open them closets up Dale!!!!!!

 

The engine looks great-definitely looks the part, and Dale did a nice job of waxing eloquent, didn't he?

Often times, the real story is the one that remains untold, and that is definitely the case here! My one and only phone call today was to John Beck, informing him that the engine is not ready, and therefore we won't be bringing it out this week.

So, on to plan 'B', or are we on plan 'y' yet?! With the transmission change, and the FlatCad engine going into the car, there is a ton of work to do to be ready for El Mirage in May. New clutch pedal and slave setup, ****** mount, driveline, ****** tunnel, swapping fuel and water to front/back, fuel shutoff, throttle, new mounting spot for water pump and oil pump -list the goes on and on.

In the morning, I'm going to start getting the engine in the car, to get it running. The transmission adapter plate needs modified, to mount the bellhousing, so that is first on the list.

It's late in the game, so it's going to be 'function over form'. Hammers and grinders, cutting torch and welder, cut off saw and drill-no frills, just parts to go racin'!

 

Damn thats the same weekrnd as Eagle ain't it? ................. Hate to miss it but..............

 

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Well, I returned home from work,and from Dale's, where our 2 day thrash wasn't enough to get the engine far enough along to take to the dyno.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]My Brother-in-law Rodger, and I ,spent the day getting the engine and ****** ***embled, and 'stuffed' into the car-believe me, stuffed is appropriate![/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Now, I have a whole new set of issues to deal with, but nothing that time, and some fab work won't fix.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The water/oil pump pit, but only without the drive pulley! I can either notch the frame, or get a smaller drive pulley. In the morning, I'll call Barnes, and see if we can come up with a setup that will keep the pumps turning at the needed speeds, and fit in the car.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The oil manifold, that feeds the mains, lifters, and dizzy, will have to be relocated and plumbed. It was mounted right where the steering box sits, and there is only 5/8 clearance between the steering box and the block.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The crank was moved up in the block, .027", but we forgot to mention that detail to Pat at Wilcap. The adapter is going to have to be modified, in order to get proper alignment. I talked to Pops29, and the plan is to run the engine/****** setup by his shop, after we finish on the dyno-THANKS DON![/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The biggest issue is the ****** swap I decided was such a great idea-only, it wasn't! The crashbox has a Vertigate shifter on it, and in order to make it fit as is, I'd have to cut about 6" out of the right corner of the seat. That would work, if I wanted to lose a 100 lbs! So, a plate is going to have to be fabbed up, to relocate the shifter, and new shifter rods made. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The pics are ****py, as all I had with me was my cell phone. [/FONT]

 

Can't wait to get this monster in the shop. Now I feel better ,, been a while since I have been able to help out. Also It will be good to see you guys again.

 

Looks great in the car. Can't wait to hear that monster run.

 

I like the lower three pictures being "fuzzy" looks like it has been running without a good air draft through the shop and just waiting for the fumes to clear out then pounce on it again.....

Vergil

 

Well, Don, That's the only reason we 'over looked" this-so we could make you feel needed! Lol!

I'm really looking forward to seeing you, and catching up on stuff! Hopefully, we'll have time for me to take you and your bride to dinner and drinks when I'm there!

 

Looks good in it's "natural Habitat" I'm sure all the little problems will get worked out. See you at Elmo in May.

 

DrInKs and dinner it is .

 

We MUCH appreciate all your help . . . and the fact you're going to help us resolve the transmission mount location. See you at the Dyno!

 

Looks good in it's "natural Habitat"
X2

that looks mean from those front views WOW

Yea Buddy its always fun when trying to put ten lbs into a five lb bag......

 

That spells HOT ROD

 

Don and Tim- can't wait to see you guys!

What a wasted day!

Rodger and I looked over the crashbox, measured several times, and commenced to modifying the ****** cross member. Finished it, so we slipped it in the car.

What the hell? The ****** tail shaft is 2" high, and won't set down on the crossmember! Long story short, this ****** doesn't fit the car! The mount on the ****** sits the tail shaftup about 1-1/2 inches higher than the Muncie. That, added to the fact that the shifter is going to take a LOT of work, to fit in the car, was enough for me.

So, I decided that another Muncie is in the future. That meant, of course, that we had to modify' the crossmember, to the way it was when we started. If anyone has a good Muncie Rock Crusher, and wants a nice toploader crashbox, please let me know!

We loaded the car on the trailer, and I took it to Pinkees, where they are going to finish the clutch setup, and the throttle cable, while I'm at work.

Here's a couple of better pics, of the engine in the car, and the car on the trailer, headed to Pinkees.

Next up-a new radiator in a box water system.

 

Looking good as allways Buddy
On the bright side, The Flatcad is in the latest issue of Gasoline Magazine!
I'm thinking it will not be the last time!

Br
Kjell

.............................
Taildragger&fenderless

 

Hey, that's cool!

Can you scan it, and tell us what it says?

Ironic that we get coverage half way around the world, before we get coverage here!

 

Car looks great Buddy, BTW musclecarjohn on here had his buick Funnycar in that issue, I think, he said he was getting extra issues, So maybe he can get you one, Tim Jones

 

Thanks dragsled! I've contacted Kjell, about obtaining copies for all my team mates. If that fails, I'll give him a shout. I figure it's probably just a blurb, since they didn't contact any FlatCad Racing members.


Ok, here's the last progress report from me, until next days off.

I moved the water tank from the front of the car, to the back. I bought a Ron Davis radiator from Rex Schimmer, and decided to build a radiator in a box. Yes, I know it's not custom aluminum, and I know it's bigger than I need(28 gallons), but it serves 3 functions, and it's time to get the car finished!

First, the obvious-a radiator in a box. Secondly, I have an electric pump, pumping water to the mechanical pump, through 1" lines, so I'll plumb a byp*** around the mechanical pump, so that it can act as a heat exchanger, if the engine gets hot. Lastly, I need the weight, and it sure helps in that department!

It has a 1/2" wide, and 1/2 deep lip around the perimeter, filled with silicone, to seal the removable lid. I think all we will need is water, but the lid comes off to remove the radiator, or add ice if we need.

Next up, dyno headers by Dale!

 

Here you go Buddy


Br
Kjell

............................
Taildragger&fenderless

 

Thanks Kjell!

 

And Tims truck to

Let me know if you want copies of mag.
The editor might wan't to run a full story!?
They also publish a real cool race magazine, Fuel magazine.

Br
Kjell

.............................
Taildragger&fenderless

 

Cool! Thanks for posting.

 

Hey Kjell my ole' friend - thanks for the post, how is your rail project coming?

Dale

 

Collin only has a couple of the 4-71 blower intakes, and a couple of the 3x2 tops left.

If you are ever going to want one, you better get it now!