Winter Projects

[GORDON STREETER]

I was told by a guy that I used to race with that Abarth found that their cars actually went faster in a straight line with the engine cover open so they had it homologated !

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by grantp

http://motor.rocabal.com/british-sal...ds-hatch-1966/

Think that's a 600, although not a lot bigger! I wouldn't be surprised if the open cover helped aero.... Engine size I believe gradually increased to over 1000cc, wheels got wider and arches got bigger. Very cool little cars- tenthers Jason & Louise Kennedy had / have one which I think is an '850' model with 1050cc. Pic below.

[zefarelly]

It is the bigger engine, goes quite well now the engines been rebuilt properly

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by zefarelly

It is the bigger engine, goes quite well now the engines been rebuilt properly

By anyone we know?

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Think that's a 600, although not a lot bigger! I wouldn't be surprised if the open cover helped aero.... Engine size I believe gradually increased to over 1000cc, wheels got wider and arches got bigger. Very cool little cars- tenthers Jason & Louise Kennedy had / have one which I think is an '850' model with 1050cc. Pic below.

600 body. I think racing 500s were probably confined to Italy.

The linked race info suggests this one was 982cc and it's listed as a "1000".

[Mike Bell]

Yes, we're getting off topic but the original type was the '595' based on the tiny 500 and sold as a road car. Road version did not have open lid from factory! The most known racers are bigger '600' based models with front radiators.....

[zefarelly]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

By anyone we know?

Just some back street garagiste managed to get over 10% more out of it than the ' Abarth specialist' who supplied it. And it still works!

[Mike Bell]

bumped....

[Mike Bell]

And bumped again. Thread was looking very sorry for itself on page 5!

Anyway, here's one of my winter projects coming along nicely. The new body and nose Iain had made for me yonks ago now trimmed to fit round everything.

So next, the painful bit- New helmet, FHR, belts and extinguisher service. Then I guess will need to sort out some new tyres- 4 year old Avon slicks maybe not so competitive......

[Alan Morgan]

Looking good Mike! Does this mean we might see you out this year?

Pau, Spa, Kirkistown?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

Looking good Mike! Does this mean we might see you out this year?

Pau, Spa, Kirkistown?

I haven't forgotten that HSCC and HFF2 memberships will need to be added in as well before I actually pay a race entry fee! But, after spending all that dosh on getting safety equipment current again, it's either sell or use!

Donington will be primary target if all comes together. Pau- may be there without or with a car. Spa in July would be nice, not thinking of Kirkistown, but Cadwell possible..... All depends what's left in the kitty after everything required for 4 cars paid for!

[Eric Falce]

Well, if only I had known that Winkelman had started to strip the car 33 years ago to go racing, I would never have got involved. Half the car was missing, had to hunt through lofts, outhouses and sheds, found nearly everything plus I have done Alcatraz , pier 39 , walked until my feet are so bloody sore, have done the Big Red Bus toure and got soaked through to the skin, just going off now to do the cable car thing then dinner at Pier 39.

[delta]

Good shift this weekend, Friday night,all day and night Saturday. All front suspension and brakes and wheel bearings all rebuilt and fitted.

[delta]

Bumped back down to earth last night. I am working from front to rear on the rebuild. Went to fit fuel tank and guess what, my brand new aeroquip pipes are toooooooo short. The oil tank wont fit. Bother and a few other words.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

Attachment 49053
Bumped back down to earth last night. I am working from front to rear on the rebuild. Went to fit fuel tank and guess what, my brand new aeroquip pipes are toooooooo short. The oil tank wont fit. Bother and a few other words.

Looking good, Boss!

Trust you've had a severe word with the staff member responsible for measuring the hairyquip......

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Looking good, Boss!

Trust you've had a severe word with the staff member responsible for measuring the hairyquip......

I remember when I was an apprentice in the garage trade (many moons ago)one of the mechanics asked me to measure a silencer on an old pre war Rover so that a new one could be made by a specialist firm.
When it arrived it was 1ft too long ! I couldn't understand why as I took a bit of time to measure it, then the mechanic asked me "what did you measure it with" ? after showing him the retractable tape measure he said "that was buggered on the end and so I cut it off at the one foot mark and we all know that" except me of course !

[grantp]

Originally Posted by delta

Attachment 49053
Bumped back down to earth last night. I am working from front to rear on the rebuild. Went to fit fuel tank and guess what, my brand new aeroquip pipes are toooooooo short. The oil tank wont fit. Bother and a few other words.

Chassis too long?

[delta]

Mrs Delta did happen to pop out in the garage last night . I had just wired in fuel pump and tried it . The daggers came out as she said "I hope your not going to start it up ".

[Mike Bell]

Question anyone please- what thread is the oil pressure take off in a Pinto block? Need to get an adaptor so can get the idiot low oil pressure light working on the FF2....

Found it, 1/4" NPT according to search on t'internet.....

[delta]

Yep . If you had said this morning I could of packed one with the seat belts .

[delta]

Managed to get a mid week pass out into garage . Cost me £15.00 quids worth of flowers . Looks like I only have to lengthen one of the oil pipes so happy happy happy . 😀

[Peter Mallett]

Why did you assemble the hoses before you installed the engine etc? Surely they are tailored to suit the installation?

Genuine question.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Why did you assemble the hoses before you installed the engine etc? Surely they are tailored to suit the installation?

Genuine question.

This may not be Iain's problem, but with big bore aeroquip for dry sump oil lines it is normal for them to be made up by a supplier- they're not easy to do yourself..... And if you measure too long, you have to find somewhere to 'lose' the extra length. Almost as much of a problem!

[Peter Mallett]

Yes understood. That's why I asked the question. I haven't done it for years but I measured after installing the in this case (oil cooler) then waited for the hoses to arrive.

[delta]

Ok . The original pipes were aluminium pipe . Horrible went all over the place and did not look very nice but have done the job since 1962. Ok ok I should of left them on the car instead of using aero quip. Oil tank and engine were fitted before I made up and measured the new pipes . Spent a whole day making them and fitting to car . Got oil pressure up straight away and no leaks . Move on a couple of weeks and I fit the fuel tank which we use as a seat back as well . The tank is tailor made for the car and fits behind driver up against back of the cockpit . The pipes I made were just not long enough to allow going around the tank . Peter have a close look at the picture and you will see the tank is not fully back in place . All done now and am fitting rear suspension . Next big job is fitting all the new body work . All this might have to be put on hold until next winter as we are behind with customer cars . Grrrrrrr