Projects Track Roadster 16 yrs in the making

Wow, another hard core Nebraska hot rod enthusiast. I promise Nick that I will move heaven and earth to attend Joplin. I've had so many false starts that I'm a bit hesitant to guarantee anything, but Jack and I will strain our bellies to FINALLY debut the TR.

I sure hope to see you soon,
charlie

 

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xderelict

Thanks for the reply and the information about your friend Rob Lee and his build. Also thanks again for your message to me over a year ago in May 2009…“This is one of the best street rod builds ever on the HAMB”.

Regarding the “low buck” comment — true without question, I spent far more than Rob even figuring in his labor “costs”. In fact, I spent years and significant $ searching for authentic parts for the Maserodi. From some crazy dude’s bedroom chest of drawers for NOS engine bearings in Rhode Island, to headlight buckets in Daytona Beach, to a "Culver City" Halibrand quick change in the rafters of a Costa Mesa CA home garage. I was there in person…in some cases 15 years ago. I also like to think that I helped many small businessmen such as Neilson’s Cams in Utah, Bill’s Machine Shop in North Charleston, SC, and Decorative Industrial Plating in Helena, MT and dozens more. I pretty much spend all my hard-earned “leisure” money for 15 years on the roadster.

To paraphrase something I said earlier in the thread… think of my journey like this: imagine I [trakrodstr] am a home owner planning and working with an architect/craftsman [Jack] to build a house centered around antique materials, furniture and themes which I purchased and imagined over the course of 15 years.

Regarding your final comment: “…without War and Peace”. You don't have to read the thread, just look at the photos. Your complaint is like griping about a TV show you don’t like while watching each episode.

trakrodstr

 

"I spent years and significant $ searching for authentic parts for the Maserodi"
I stand by it,I still think it's one of the nicest street rods on the HAMB.

 

Charlie, I think TR will speak for itself. Looking forward to a video of you and Jack cruising around Montana. Say "Hi" to Jack for me.

 

Charlie..She races in the ASCS Southwest series. Will probably sit out the rest of the season due to school job and sponsor money. It's been a good ride. Let me know if you are coming through Tucson. The tacos are on me. Bill

 

Bill, Don't be surprised if Charlie shows up in Tucson. Does seem a little out of his way . . . .

 

The car is cool! I just saw it in person, and it's really nice. Photos do not do it justice. It really needs to be seen in person to be appreciated, and it will probably take most folks (me definitely included) more than one viewing to take in and digest all the details. Nice work. Congratulations Charlie!

 

Jack, Your comment will be greatly appreciated by Charlie. It was a 14+ year dream of his. It is great that he can now get to enjoy it.

 

Wow, your work and effort are dazzling. I must admit that I am not the bigest fan of the grill, but if I put my thumb over it in the pictures. Wow. It is great and too cool that another guy has another dream rod. Good luck to you and put many miles on it.

 

Thanks for keeping us posted. I hope to see it one day. Before you sign off on this thread, it would be interesting to see photographs taken by you of the car. If I have followed correctly, most of the photographs are by your excellent builder (Jack) to do***ent progress or points of contention for you? I at least would be interested to see what it was about the car that you would concentrate on in taking photographs of it yourself.

 

Jack,

Your kind words are really appreciated, it's good to know a hard core HAMBer who owns a sharp nostalgia Model A hot rod gives my roadster the thumbs-up. We'll have fun on some tandem cruises soon...I hope. Many thanks for dropping by yesterday.

Dave, I'm BAAACCKK. I was really pooped by the Missoula to KC drive and hot weather yesterday, the humidity was killer. As you emphasize Jack Luther's unvarnished opinion is very gratifying, since he's actually seen the TR.

I keep saying thanks to you Dave, your encouragement is very welcome.

zmcmil2121

Thanks for taking time to comment. Of course Jack Presse did the work; but I'll take credit for the design and concept...as well as the grill you aren't too fond of. I hope you get to see it in 3D, you might find the grill more acceptable. I wanted something different from the more common Kurtis-style nose/grill.

I will take your advise to "put many miles on it". (see below); it's hard for me to believe that my dream car is finally in the garage.

Kind regards,

Hasty,

Yeah, Jack took virtually all the photos. Your wish for some photos by me are below. No big effort to be creative; I just wanted to show the TR at home.

I won't retire the thread until I have the EFI tuning completed; we had more tuning trouble when I was driving it in Montana. There is still an electronic gremlin somewhere...wish me luck. I am going to be so embarr***ed if I can't drive the TR to the HAMB drags, but right now my confidence level isn't too high for a 150 mile (one way) trip. The engine runs fine some of the time and then it just goes to pot...??? Maybe its more electronic noise from the fan/alternator/water pump or a combination of the previous.

We're working on it, keep your fingers crossed for a reliable fix before Aug 20th.

trakrodstr
aka charlie

 

Wow Charlie! You must be so stoked that it is finally here. Does your neck hurt from sleeping in it last night? Hahaha! I cant wait to experience it in person.

-mikethegreek-

 

mike,

I think that relief is the best word. It's very cool to be able to put my hands on the TR and know it's a few feet away....but I would be lying to you if I said that Jack and I are happy right now, it is SOOOO frustrating to have a intermittent gremlin where there does not seem to be rhyme or reason. You turn the EFI mixture knob and there's no change in performance; then a few miles later the lean/rich knob perks up and allows a "real" setting.

Sorry I don't mean to whine right now, because it is a big, big grin to see the Maserodi sitting in the garage...we'll solve this problem.

You are really close so I will be able to drive your way real soon....

cheers,
charlie

 

Charlie, The best way to fight Da Gremlins - is to drive the car. Start with stop and go traffic. Then step up to a twisty two lane road (with a destination - say a burger or cold one !). Then maybe a 20 to 30 mile jaunt down a divided highway - try one is good to new condition. As you drive your confidence in TR will build. Need a cool video of TR as you cruise it around.
Oh, Make sure you have a AAA card just in case . . . .

 

Thanks for the photos and congratulations for getting it home. It really looks like you have delivered what you promised. It looks great. I hope you get over the frustrations soon and get to enjoy it fully. Thanks for a fascinating thread.

 

Hasty,

You are most welcome, thanks for hangin' in there with me and the thread.

I hope to post an "all clear" message soon; and perhaps a short (15 =-20 sec) video of the TR's first hometown drive.

Keep your fingers crossed.

charlie

BTW have you ever participated in the Newfoundland Targa event? It sounds like a gas; do hot rodders ever participate are they welcome?

 

I think you could participate if you wanted to, however I would not do so in a car like your roadster that took so long to bring to life.

All could be lost in an instant

 

Charlie, Glad you made it back from Missoula. Hope you get a good rest and then some quality time with TR.
Will be looking forward to your post for TR's new top.

 

BTW have you ever participated in the Newfoundland Targa event? It sounds like a gas; do hot rodders ever participate are they welcome?[/QUOTE]

No, I've never heard of it I'm afraid, but will check it out.

I hope you find an engine cure.

 

Time for an update; Jack Luther, a local KC HAMBer, is a friend of Don Caine, one of KC most well known hot rod and drag racing experts. Jack knew that Don had a hot rod running an EFI converted Hilborn stack injection system. Jack called Don Caine, on my behalf, and asked who had work on the Hilborns? One of the fellows who helped debug and fine tune the system is Brett Clow. I contacted Brett and he agreed to help me with the TR. Consequently this last Sat Brett spent about 3 hours on the Maserodi.

Mostly to pick the low hanging fruit, Brett installed a noise filter used by the auto stereo shop. The electronic noise filter was wired into the ignition key where the hot lead goes to the EFI computer. We drove the car and it started fine but was shootin' duck at anything over 2200 RPM; Brett asked what the ignition timing setting was and I replied it had been set at about 10 degrees BTDC so that the engine would be easy to start. Brett bumped the timing to 20 degrees BTDC and it perked up and ran well up to about 3000 RPM. The engine idles fine at 700 RPM; which was very good because I have heard of other rodders with converted Hilborns having trouble with high idle speeds.

I pointed out that the converted Vertex mag does not have provision for either mechanical or vacuum ignition timing advance and Brett felt that this was a severe limitation that would never allow both easy starting and higher RPM tuning. Also fuel mileage would suffer without a flexible time advance curve.

Brett spoke at length with Jack Presse on the phone picking Jack’s brain on the EFI electrical circuits and sensors. Further, Brett came to the conclusion that my narrow band O2 sensor was not adequate for his purposes. He also wants an instrument grade measurement of the fuel pressure while driving….SO, we stopped and proclaimed the day a reasonable success.

For his next diagnostic sesson Brett will bring his hi-tech wide-band O2 sensor and his fancy fuel pressure gauge. Meanwhile, I called Jack and asked him to send me a Mopar distributor, which was converted to a Petronix system. The distributor is mounted on another Dodge D500 Hemi of mine. Since it is a factory part it has both mechanical and a vacuum advance capabilities. The distributor will arrive late this week. So I’ll install the distributor before Brett’s next visit. With a new distributor, a sensitive O2 gauge and a continuous reading on the fuel pressure Brett should be able to do a more careful evaluation. Eventually we hope to get to the point where Brett can fine-tune the RPM-fuel curves.

I’m beginning to believe that we can finally get a handle on tuning the EFI.

I’ll keep you posted.

Note; speaking of early Dodge Hemi’s check out the HAMB thread below, it shows vintage shots of some Hillegas Midgets running a Dodge Red Ram Hemi…cool:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5056510

trakrodstr

 

Cool Charlie. I was just thinking about your car this weekend and wondering if you were getting it sorted. It sounds like you've got it on the run!

Best of luck,
mike

 

Charlie my friend, sounds great that you are able to spend time with the MASERODI without having to make a trip.

I know I will sound "old school" here, but has anyone done a spark plug reading at each segmented rpm run? Is the fuel fresh? Getting in deeper here, does the exhaust need somewhat of a collection chamber as in small enlargement at the 02 sensor? This new electronic managing system is exciting. Whish I was younger!!

 

So, you're going to make it to the HAMB Drags, right??!

 

The car wants to go- it has the desire. I took a ride in it last night and do believe it will haul *** once it's dialed in. Car looks great in motion, too.

 

Cool Charlie. I was just thinking about your car this weekend and wondering if you were getting it sorted. It sounds like you've got it on the run!
Best of luck,
mike

Mike,
I'm trying not to embarr*** myself. We made progress which was a breath of fresh air, but we are not there yet. I feel I should be honest with all the HAMBers who have been kind enough to follow this build, so I don't want to be too optimistic. One thing I did notice is that Brett isn't emotionally involved with the project and looks at the problems with a neutral frame of mind...which is great.

Thanks for stickin' with me and the project.
****************************************

Charlie my friend, sounds great that you are able to spend time with the MASERODI without having to make a trip.

I know I will sound "old school" here, but has anyone done a spark plug reading at each segmented rpm run? Is the fuel fresh? Getting in deeper here, does the exhaust need somewhat of a collection chamber as in small enlargement at the 02 sensor? This new electronic managing system is exciting. Whish I was younger!!
LB+1.


LB+1,
You always ask questions like an engineer. The plugs were ****, black as *****'s heart; I put in new plugs before Brett's visit. I'll pull one just for you, but to answer your question...we haven't gotten to the point that reading the plugs is worthwhile. A deaf hound dog can tell the ****er is running ****py above 3000RPM and it's running rich.

Your O2 question is insightful. Brett was concerned about the volume around the O2 sensor, which is at the front end of the collector, he said we may have to check the O2 with a wand up the exhaust pipe to compare its values with my on-board O2 sensor. Moving the O2 sensor further toward the tail pipe would be ugly....we'll see.

Yeah, I guess the electronic management is exciting, but if I were starting over I would buy a system that uses a laptop. Then all the data could be downloaded for inspection, instead of scrolling through a menu. I will say that I do NOT think the CPU is part of the problem.

How's the Bayou State doing? Is the fresh seafood showing up in the markets?

Take care,
*********************

So, you're going to make it to the HAMB Drags, right??!
Malcolm,


Malcolm,
Right to the point. I would say the odds are 50:50. The TR has a total of about 20 miles on public roads and it's a 300 mile round trip from KC to the Joplin area. I don't want to spend Aug 21st waiting for a tow truck.

My ego keeps telling me to take the chance, but I have to be realistic. I keep worrying whether the engine dies in the middle of an intersection or springs a water leak, or ???

I hope I don't have to swallow my pride and keep the TR here in KC.

All we can do is try.

*********************

The car wants to go- it has the desire. I took a ride in it last night and do believe it will haul *** once it's dialed in. Car looks great in motion, too
Jack Luther

Jack,
Thanks for hooking me up with Brett and the kind words. As you know from your Model A roadster these cars are a work in progress.


Everyone, thanks and I'll keep you posted

charlie

 

Jack and Charlie, Sounds like TR is making some good progress. Looking forward to everything being sorted out. Should be a neat ride when it is all sorted out.

 

On our sea food... I am wait and see.
Have y'all put a degree wheel on it to see if it meets the build sheet specs?
AS you know it will still run when it is off. Running a little fat on fuel is a good thing on a new motor. "Timing-timing" then the old hound will sing and the hunt will be on.

 

WOW, I can't believe I missed this thread!. Beautiful car!

 

Dave,

Yeah we made some noticeable progress, I guess this is going to be a process and not a eureka moment.

LB+1,

No degree wheel yet, it's worth considering. We should have the timing down this coming weekend when we try the new distributor.

I would settle for a few howls by this ole dog right now. We ain't huntin yet.

Thanks Del,

You aren't related to Del Shannon (Runaway) are you? ....sorry, ****py joke.


charlie

 

Not much progress, but some variables were eliminated. And a curious fact raised its head.....

As of last week the engine is starting pretty well and running OK up to about 3,000 RPM, at which point it essentially died. This past weekend Brett swapped in a "new" Mopar distributor, which had been converted using a Petronix kit. The engine started and ran just as before, with major breakup as the RPM approached 3,000. Brett hooked up an instrument grade fuel pressure meter and it showed slight bouncing of pressure values as the engine began to stumble. This occurred with no load on the drive train (on jack stands) as well as on the road.

With the distributor eliminated as a source of gremlins, Brett was su****ious of the tach/tach wiring. While it is true that Jack Presse installed a electronic noise suppression filter a couple of months ago (which made a huge improvement); it is possible that there is still noise in the tach loop but at a different frequency. Here's why:

Brett, decided to pull the tach feed wire from the back of the tach. This lead comes from the negative side of the coil. When we tried to start the engine it was a no go. Upon reinstalling the tach wire the engine started. If the tach wire was removed while the engine was running the engine died????!!! This is as far as we got.

While we were at it Brett and I also scrolled through about 200 values stored in the ECU and recorded them on paper (hard copy) so the values could be sent to the tech folks at Simple Digital Systems. According to Brett, who has extensive experience with EFI, the numbers stored in the ECU looked reasonable. We do not think the problem is in the ECU.

Now the discouraging part. There is no way I am going to drive the TR to the HAMB drags with this problem. I really regret missing the HAMB event and the fun of meeting some of you. Instead Brett and I will be trying to figure out what is causing the crazy engine management problems. I guess it's sort of good news that removing the tach wire causes the engine to die...even though it makes no logical sense. Maybe there will be a forehead-slapping breakthrough, I ain't holding my breath.

I apologize for reneging on my promise to drive the TR to the event.

Wish us luck,

trakrodstr
aka charlie