Iain's (Delta Racing Car) Builder's Tea Break 2015

[GORDON STREETER]

Well back in the good old UK and the first job I had to do yesterday was put a new cam and followers in Sue's Polo, after fitting it and putting it all back together it wouldn't start !
Rechecked timing marks (VW and my own all OK) and then looked at where the cam lobes were when on TDC, found that the timing was out by 5 teeth from the keyway ! so just set the valve timing straight up and down, Result !
And no it wasn't a cheapo Chinese one off of Ebay, Happy new year !

[delta]

Reminds me of the good old pinto days . Cut a hole in bulk head when customer not looking old. Am out new one in aly plate and a couple of self tappers . Good as gold . I carried on with that method when working at Volvo main dealer on those horrible V 6 engines . Worshop manager not impressed but I sure did earn a lot of bonus .

[GORDON STREETER]

Yes that old V6 Pug engine that was fitted to Volvo/Renault etc was always a problem with cams and the way we used to get over it.
Renault 5 timing chains I used to cut a panel out behind the radio consul and even now cutting a panel out to fit number 4 and 5 injectors in Jeep Grand Cherokee's with the Sprinter engine fitted.
As for the old Tina with the Pinto I found it just as quick to whip the engine out in about 20 mins.
I also used to fit propshaft UJs to Elans in situ !!!!!

[Eric Falce]

Been Watching a program on Sky Discovery called Chrome Underground, either the guys are on something or the program is a set up. I have been in a few hairy situations in West Africa but nothing like the situations they get themselves into in pursuit of Classic cars.

[Moosehead]

I watch most of the car programmes on tv but gave up with Chrome Underground as it was just too silly.

[delta]

And the Delorean Gordon.

[Mike Bell]

Was that the engine referred to as the Douvrin V6? For some unexplainable reason I always liked the Peugeot 604 saloon that used it.....

[Mike Bell]

Would you believe the engine, or to be more precise, an engine based on the bottom end of one, holds the record for highest recorded speed on a closed circuit racetrack? Le Mans 1988, WM Peugeot, 253mph........

I think it broke.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Would you believe the engine, or to be more precise, an engine based on the bottom end of one, holds the record for highest recorded speed on a closed circuit racetrack? Le Mans 1988, WM Peugeot, 253mph........

I bet that they improved the breather system on it though as that is what caused most of the problems on the old Pug lump as the engine suffered from the old "black death" and blocked the oilways up.

[Mike Bell]

The WM Peugeot in 1988 is reputed to have had 900bhp from a 3 litre 'Douvrin', with twin turbos and I think four cam layout as well! The car was very efficient aerodynamically in the best French tradition, and the teams target was to set a speed record, as they knew car couldn't win (last?) the race..... A year or two later the chicanes were introduced in the Mulsanne to stop such speeds from being attained.

Teams like WM (Welter Racing) make the history of Le Mans- never mind who actually won that year!



Just been reading a review of a new book about the 917. Only 576 pages, and now translated from German. Mmm...

[midgetman]

Those were the WMs, only designed to go as fast as possible and break the speed record pour la gloire De la France, then retire. 400kph IIRC

pages back you mentioned watching planes on final approach. The old RAF Lyneham flight path we along the A3102, many"s the time we've flashed our headlights at dazzling high beams coming the other way only to find a Hercules roar over the roof!

Edit: Bugger you beat me to it Mike, and more insightful too! Must learn to type quicker...my excuse is I've just spent four days at NEC and couldn't face driving home last night so am relaxing in one of Lennie's finest. Ahhhhh.............

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Edit: Bugger you beat me to it Mike!

No contradictions though!

[delta]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Those were the WMs, only designed to go as fast as possible and break the speed record pour la gloire De la France, then retire. 400kph IIRC

pages back you mentioned watching planes on final approach. The old RAF Lyneham flight path we along the A3102, many"s the time we've flashed our headlights at dazzling high beams coming the other way only to find a Hercules roar over the roof!

Edit: Bugger you beat me to it Mike, and more insightful too! Must learn to type quicker...my excuse is I've just spent four days at NEC and couldn't face driving home last night so am relaxing in one of Lennie's finest. Ahhhhh.............

Gosh you must of had a good weekend Max. BTW Stew 62 min

[midgetman]

Hey that's not a bad run by Stew then Iain! Mind you we could've shown these young whippersnappers eh?

Yes I was busy. Drove back this morning, still behind the curve a bit.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Yes I was busy. Drove back this morning, still behind the curve a bit.

Was that busy like ££££££££€€€€€$$$$$,

or busy like

[midgetman]

I'm pleased to say the former It was a good buzz there this year, the sport seems to be pulling out of recession. Interesting to see what happens at Race Retro, different crowd there.

Not much chance of beers, sleeping in the race van and had to drive to/from the camp site. I'm feeling very middle aged, I had to join the Caravan Club to get the best prices. Beige trousers beckon methinks.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I'm pleased to say the former It was a good buzz there this year, the sport seems to be pulling out of recession. Interesting to see what happens at Race Retro, different crowd there.

Not much chance of beers, sleeping in the race van and had to drive to/from the camp site. I'm feeling very middle aged, I had to join the Caravan Club to get the best prices. Beige trousers beckon methinks.

CARAVAN CLUB? Arghhhh.....

Glad it was worthwhile- the camping and all!

[midgetman]

That is exactly how I feel....aaaaaaaaarrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhh! The welcome pack arrived today, thankfully in a plain wrapper.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by midgetman

...... I'm feeling very middle aged, ......

well, I understand that '50 is the new 40'

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by midgetman

The welcome pack arrived today, thankfully in a plain wrapper.

Definitely a sign of old age when the only thing being delivered in a plain wrapper is your Caravan Club membership......



Talk about 'a small world'- A fellow tenther very kindly provided me with a scan of some homologation papers. During PM chat, turns out we competed against each other on a rally in Belgium in 1987, and both finished on the class podium!

[Colin McKay]

"A friend of mine" uses the C***** C*** for insurance & breakdown cover on the motorhome, hard to beat the range of cover at the price (he tells me)

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Colin McKay

"A friend of mine"

Yeah, right...... Pull the other one!

[grantp]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Yeah, right...... Pull the other one!

Colin's a really nice chap Mike. He must have at least one friend I would have thought.

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by MGDavid

well, I understand that '50 is the new 40'

I'll let you know when I get there

Something on the radio today mentioned that life expectancy in the US is such that they are treating 70 as "middle aged".

CC didn't want to know about insuring my van as it's used for business, but the site was £10 per night cheaper and the amount of travelling I've got to do this year it'll save me a tasty sum.

[GORDON STREETER]

Day off today as we are going to a funeral, when you get to my age you find yourself going to more and more !!!!