Speed Ventures @ Buttonwillow - March 11th & April 15th

[David Pozzi]

Man, I'm worried about Katz! Knowing him, he's parked under a tree changing bearings!

[MrQuick]

anyone have his cell number?? he'd be near to me if he had problems... ***** usually happens near SF. I'll put up the Katz signal

[dennis68]

I've got an open stall at work and an extra bed at home (if you don't mind bunking with a 7 year old-he's been waiting for somebody to use that extra bed.)....hey Katz, where the hell are you?

[MrQuick]

Did you call him? Which way was he going...back home or down to San Diego?

[Salt Racer]

I just got back to WA, but w/o my car. Turns out there was more than a spun bearing. Combustion pressure was escaping into water system (perhaps cracked block). I didn't make it too far, and my good friend Rick Dekneef in Kerman bailed me out. The car will be sitting in his shop until I can locate a good block and crank.

It sucks, but it's part of racing and I had a great time out there. Hopefully I can fix it by Vince's bachelor party.

Guys who made it out there, thanks for coming out and it was great meeting you all. I hope to see you guys and guys who couldn't make it this time at the next event.

Course configuration was #13 CCW. My best laptime was 2:25-something. Not bad for a boat on street rubbers, but I was hoping 2:20-ish which I'm sure is possible with more driving practice. Alcino was a tenth or so faster.

I gotta get back to work now. Be back here with more report later.

[David Pozzi]

Katz,
Glad you made it back, I wish I had some nailhead parts to send your way. Back in High School auto shop, I worked on one that was runing on an engine stand. We used it to practice for the Plymouth Trouble Shooting contest.

[Q ship]

Glad you're OK, pm'd you.

[Salt Racer]

...Katz, well what can I say. The man is a monster! How many people would thrash a car together, drive it 1000 miles, and hang it out on a track?(knowing that it had to make the trip home too!)...

Let's just say I'm missing a coupla wires from my brain. The way I see it, life's too short to worry about small things. It's not the end of the world even if your car breaks down 1000 miles from home. Yes, it sucked but it's just a small dent within this whole priceless experience. I have strong attachment to my car, but it still is just a car. It can be fixed.

BTW, David makes an interesting observation about me. I'd have pulled the oil pan in the pit if I had parts and tools LOL.


My personal report.....

BuRP was much more difficult than SOWS (remember I'm a novice driver). I guess the new-found hp made it more difficult for me. The car was as quick as Alcino's MII, which has run high 13s in 1/4 mile. Not bad for a Nailhead.

Took me a while to get used to the first turn (Sunset). It's a very sharp 90-deg turn at the end of long straight. I normally try to manually downshift the TH400, giving a throttle blip right before the gear engages. It doesn't work as good as heel-toe on stick shift. While Q-ship was riding shotgun, the shift knob slipped into the 1st and that caused me to spin out. I also span out when I was trying to give point-by at Riverside (novice mistake).

With new suspension mods (-2* front camber and rear stabar), the car was joy to drive through big sweepers. My bar rate calculation was close enough that the car was very close to neutral. Throttle-steering a 4300-lb car was some experience. Blingy BFG KDW2s stuck pretty well, but they got greasy under afternoon heat. 245/255s are just too narrow for the weight of my car, I suppose. The car remained very predictable and controllable, but I really need wider tires.

PFC '01 pads are terrific!! Ask Q-ship how my car braked before Grapevine and Sunset. Pads were expensive, but the money very well spent. The only concern was pad knockback. I had to tap the pedal after pretty much every corner. I know wheel bearings were tight. Perhaps I should look into piston springs.

I was way off the pace during first three sessions, but I got the hang of the course by the 4th session. Trying to follow faster cars definetely helped. I started out like 2:29s, and I managed to get it down to 2:25s. I was still coasting through some sections, so I should be able to knock off a couple of seconds next time out.

[David Pozzi]

Katz,
What calipers do you have on your car?
You might try some low pressure (2lb) residual pressure valves.

[MrQuick]

Hey Katz,
glad your ok, sorry to hear about the car...I know a guy that has a complete 70 455 engine sitting in his body shop...i'll see if he still has it tomorrow. hope you can make it out in July.

[Salt Racer]

David,
I have Wilwood forged SL4 front and Dynalite rear. Rear axle is an old Buick semi-floater (non C clip), which has some slop but not more than a typical 9". I didn't have as much knock back problem at SOWS, but the car didn't corner as hard as it did this time either. I'll try 2 lb valve and see if it would help.

Vince,
I'm debating whether I should fix the Nailhead or swap in a SBC. I would really rather have SBC and stick shift, but the problem is initial cost and time. SBC will be cheaper in the long run, but rebuilding a Nailhead is much cheaper for now.

I don't want to let my car sit in Rick's garage for too long. He runs a repair shop and he always needs extra space. Mark offered me to store my car in his shop too, but for the same reason, I don't want my car taking up his valuable space too long. So more than likely I'll fix the Nailhead. 425 is tough to come by, but I don't mind running a 401.

I can probably run my car at your event. If for some reason I end up swapping in a SBC, I'll still show up as Mark's crew or something.

[Davezz28]

Sorry to here about your problems Katz. I am the other Dave with the 69 Chevelle (not the owner) and live in Fresno which is 30 min from Kerman. I have a good friend in Kerman and I visit him quite a bit, so if you need any help let me know. I will keep an eye out for a block.

In fact there is a wrecking yard here in town that has every kind of car you could think of, I could give them a call to see if they have what you need. I'm guessing it is a 1965 425cid? Let me know the details and I will make a call.

Dave

[Salt Racer]

Dave, I remember you. Didn't know you were from Fresno area.

It would be great if you can find a motor nearby Kerman. That would save me a ton on shipping. You're correct it's a '65 425ci Buick. But anything from '63~'66 motor would work. 425 prefered, but 401 would be OK too. I need a good block, and a crank. I'll try to see if I can fit 4340 rods from some other application. I owe you a ride-around at the next event.

Also, if you go to Kerman frequently, try visiting Rick's automotive repair. It's on Madera Ave. (290 S. or something). There's a '46 Hudson truck destined for Bonneville and Open road racing sitting in the shop now.

[Salt Racer]

Well guys, my friend in Porterville found a complete 425 for $600. Thanks for the offer to look around a motor.

I'll just bore out the block slightly and adapt good rods, custom pistons, improve oiling system and call it good. That should get me by for a year or two. Then I'd go with LSx or SBC .

[David Pozzi]

Katz,
Maybe you should throw an accusump on it?
When running clockwise the turn marked "sweeper" usually gave people oil pressure loss problems.

[Salt Racer]

Yup, that's exactly where I span the bearing and I limped back to the pit area.

I'll modify the stock pan and add wings and buffles. Accusump will be on the shopping list too.

[Steve1968LS2]

Yup, that's exactly where I span the bearing and I limped back to the pit area.

I'll modify the stock pan and add wings and buffles. Accusump will be on the shopping list too.

My new 68 has an accusump system.. I have to admit I am unfamiliar with it..

I thought it just helped pre-oil the engine before start up.. does it help when the car is running as well?

[Steve1968LS2]

Katz,
Maybe you should throw an accusump on it?
When running clockwise the turn marked "sweeper" usually gave people oil pressure loss problems.

Thats the big sweeping right hander at the back/right of the track.. right? (marked as Riverside on the map)..

nevermind.. just saw the one marked "sweeper"

[Salt Racer]

I thought it just helped pre-oil the engine before start up.. does it help when the car is running as well?

Yup.

We were all wondering where the hell you were. See you in July.

[Steve1968LS2]

Yup.

We were all wondering where the hell you were. See you in July.

Ha!.. gotta have a car if I wanna go to the track..

Going to get the car this weekend and then all will be good with the world ..


Question.. if an accusump is just a pre-oiler then how will that help at the track??