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[67GTA]

Here’s a lap from the first session with the snowflakes coming down.

 

[Fabman]

Here’s a lap from the first session with the snowflakes coming down.

Fast sweepers...now that's what racings is all about.
I have no use for those tight azz miniature golf sized stop and go corners that just eat up tires and brakes for no good reason.
I will make it to this track in 2023. Can't wait.

 

[67GTA]

Fast sweepers...now that's what racings is all about...I have no use for those tight azz miniature golf sized stop and go corners that just eat up tires and brakes for no reason. I will make it to this track in 2023. Can't wait.

Can’t wait, let me know when!

 

[Fabman]

Can’t wait, let me know when!

I think what I'll do is run a track day or two and then do one race with the SoCal NASA guys.
Maybe I can get @Flash68 and @navseng to come as well.

 

[SMGDHG]

Fast sweepers...now that's what racings is all about.
I have no use for those tight azz miniature golf sized stop and go corners that just eat up tires and brakes for no good reason.
I will make it to this track in 2023. Can't wait.

Having done both, if all you are looking for is adrenaline.... you've got the best track in California: Sonoma. Big willow is a nap compared to Sonoma

 

[Fabman]

Having done both, if all you are looking for is adrenaline.... you've got the best track in California: Sonoma. Big willow is a nap compared to Sonoma

Sonoma is my least favorite. I much prefer Laguna Seca or Thunderhill.

 

[67GTA]

Very competitive group in TT3 yesterday at Big Willow. Managed to hold onto P1 by 3 tenths, which will be good for 2 more A7’s on contingency. Gonna need to find some time this morning for a chance at the top step again today!

 

[67GTA]

What a weekend! Longest standing PB from December 2020 is finally broken, with all 3 sessions into the 29’s today. New PB of 1:29.078, good for P1 and backing up yesterday’s win. This car is so much fun to drive right now!

 

[Ewheels]

Congrats on the new PB and the double wins, Tom!

 

[67GTA]

Celebrating National Mustang Day with a pair of P1 finishes in NASA SoCal TT3 over the weekend. Love it or hate it, 13CW is the most popular configuration of Buttonwillow Raceway. Despite the popularity, it’s been several years since NASA has used this for a race weekend. I was thrilled with their choice because it’s the only configuration I’ve driven there, providing an opportunity to go for a PB. Barely pulled off a new PB on Sunday by only 0.1 secs - winning lap of 1:55.5.

On another positive note, Buttonwillow Raceway Park is set to begin paving their new track that sits adjacent to the legacy track. All too often it’s news of tracks closing, so it’s exciting to share news of a new one coming online! 2.5 mile layout, built around the preserved habitat of a kangaroo rat (ya can’t make this stuff up!)

 

[PaddyPrix]

Great work on the PB, and even harder, doing so in a packed field.

Off the record, it does say deceased male kangaroo rat, and an official under conditions of anonymity said they found him dead last January with a suspiciously warm 315/30/18 Yokohama A052 found nearby. They're still looking for the culprit.

 

[Fabman]

View attachment 85662
View attachment 85663

Celebrating National Mustang Day with a pair of P1 finishes in NASA SoCal TT3 over the weekend. Love it or hate it, 13CW is the most popular configuration of Buttonwillow Raceway. Despite the popularity, it’s been several years since NASA has used this for a race weekend. I was thrilled with their choice because it’s the only configuration I’ve driven there, providing an opportunity to go for a PB. Barely pulled off a new PB on Sunday by only 0.1 secs - winning lap of 1:55.5.

On another positive note, Buttonwillow Raceway Park is set to begin paving their new track that sits adjacent to the legacy track. All too often it’s news of tracks closing, so it’s exciting to share news of a new one coming online! 2.5 mile layout, built around the preserved habitat of a kangaroo rat (ya can’t make this stuff up!)

View attachment 85664

Is this a clockwise track or anti clockwise?

 

[67GTA]

Is this a clockwise track or anti clockwise?

The current track is run in both directions. I haven’t heard for sure about the new track but I believe its also designed for both CW and CCW.

 

[67GTA]

Well, if you’re gonna be hard on parts, it’s nice to live close to a Summit Racing D.C. Ordered a new block on Thursday morning - 24 hrs later it was sitting at the freight terminal 10 mins from my office. Unfortunately the replacement ring set and engine bearings won’t be here until next week. Windage tray/crank scraper from Shaun @ AED arrived this week and picked the spare heads up from the machine shop. Still hopeful to have this back together in time for NASA on the 20th.




If you missed the backstory of how we ended up here, click here;

Thread 'Oil in coolant expansion tank'
https://trackmustangsonline.com/threads/oil-in-coolant-expansion-tank.19621/

 

[5.2 liters of democracy]

Holy hell Tom, sorry to see this. I hadn't been following the other thread. If you need any week day cram sessions, I work about 20 minutes from you. I can head over right after. Say the word and I'm there.

 

[misterpeanut]

Why are the combustion chambers blue?

 

[67GTA]

Why are the combustion chambers blue?

I believe the machine shop puts a skim coat of spray paint on before the deck surface is refinished. Allows a quick visual to make sure the entire surface is clean.

 

[Dave_W]

Allows a quick visual to make sure the entire surface is clean.

And you can see any warpage after an initial skim cut if there's color left anywhere. Probably Dykem blue instead of typical spray paint. https://www.grainger.com/product/DY...-2C928?opr=PDPRRDSP&analytics=dsrrItems_2C945

 

[67GTA]

Quick update on what’s turning out to be a major project. Tear down of the short block revealed 7 out of 8 rod bearings are hammered on the rod side. Still not clear on what caused it. Inspection and tolerance check of the oil pump are all good. GT500 pan, pump and Setrab 948 cooler I wouldn’t expect oiling issues. Main bearings looked like new. Maybe aerated oil caused the rod bearing damage? AED windage tray/crank scraper going in this time for insurance





Amazingly the crank journals were unharmed and were mirror smooth with some minor polishing. Finished file-fitting the new rings and reassembled the short block with all new Clevite bearings. Moved on to final fitment of the windage tray/crank scraper and reinstalled the oil pan after a full tear down and deep clean of the baffles.

It looked as if I would have the engine completely buttoned up today and possibly set back in the car, but progress was halted with a close inspection of the cams. Heavy scoring on several of the journals, especially towards the rear. Kicking myself for not inspecting them at tear down, but in the haste of finding where the coolant contamination was coming from, I didn’t bother to look. Won’t know for sure until tomorrow but concerned about availability of the OE cams. That and the price has skyrocketed. L&M’s are tempting, but would require another trip to Sacramento for tuning (no time for that) and would cause some adjustments for NASA classing. Anyone have a Gen 1 OE set of cams sitting on the shelf that you’d like to sell??

Trying to stay positive here, but the setbacks are getting old real quick.