2013 indy ''backyardigan''

[Larry Hill]

I get the cam on the way and now its on the road for a 280 mile round trip to have the block honed @ Tommy's. I use CP pistons and have a new set with me to make sure we have proper piston to wall clearance for each cylinder. The set of pistons only vary .0002" so that makes the hone job a little simpler. Eric Wingo shows up at the shop and ask me if I am building a diesel, what a sense of humor. The rest of the day goes well and make it home for a late supper.

Next day clean the block and do some trial assembly.

[Larry Hill]

Once home I give the block a very good cleaning before trial assembly. First thing I check is the drag on the oil ring, we play musical expander and rails for a little while before we decide on the package.

[Larry Hill]

Now its file, file, file, and tweak the rest of the expanders. I hate to file all 16 oil rails because I am never confident that the rail is square to the bore. Did I mention that the rails are difficult to cut and deburr. The top and second ring are of a softer material so they cut much faster, almost cut the one second ring too much but was able to but it in the smallest bore to get the correct end gap.

Crank, rods, end play, clearance, are all good. Now we are ready for the new (old cam) cam, maybe it will be here in the morning. Indy is less than two weeks.

[Larry Hill]

YES! The cam is here. A quick incoming Q.C. shows the base circle is .020 larger. Lobe lift is +/- .001 of the old cam, it might be ok checked at the valve. We install #1 and #2 piston and rods to check tdc. and degree cam. After degree wheel is removed I install timing cover and damper to see if I cam duplicate the numbers from the degree wheel, just in case I want to change cam centerline at the track.

Now is "proof of the pudding" time, does it check at the valve. Most valve lift is good I have five that check too big the worst one is out by +.003". I have two different sets of pushrods and an adjustable push rod to help solve the problem of too much lift. Chris at Comp Cams to the rescue the next day I have a new set of pushrods that I think I need.

Now its time to play Rubik's pushrods and rockers to get the engine to check, just in case we are chosen for the barn at Indy.

[Larry Hill]

The loss of a day getting the cam to check causes us to miss the target day of 8/16/ 13,for dyno test. We still have not entered Indy. I'm just not going if I cant qualify. Test and tune day at Bowling Green is Thursday 8/22/13. The weekend is spent getting the car and trailer ready just incase we are successful at the dyno.

8/19/13 Monday 4:00 A.M. my feet hit the floor, coffee and review check list. Everything is loaded and the weather looks good no rain. 7:55 A.M. we are unloading engine, by 10:30 we are warmed up, valves readjusted, and ready to see how much steam it will make. We light the engine up, turn on the O2, check timing, and I wonder what the funny noise is? It a water brake dyno with no water. Commode flushes, water comes out of faucet, we got water everywhere but at the dyno.

The 3hp 3 phase motor water pump is toast, bearings are down and its smoking, and its lunch time. I just don't feel very hungry and I love to eat!

[Keith 944]

it is nice to know how much work goes into these cars to compete. this thread should be required reading for anyone thinking about venturing into stock or super stock. you guys have my complete respect for what it takes!

[Larry Hill]

Where was I? I use lunch time to find another motor, pay for it with my credit card and then drive 100 miles round trip to get the motor. I travel less ten miles then its road construction and a 20 min. delay. I pick the motor up and head back before the rush hour gets to be full bore.

Frank, Jim Watson, and me install the pump and motor turn the power on and nothing works. Its only 6:00 pm or so and another bump in the road. Jim finds a slow plow fuse bad replaces it. Tada its working but not pumping water.

[Larry Hill]

Frank opens the air bleed on the pump and its starts to pump, success.

I would like to thank Eric Wingo and Jim Watson for there help in getting the dyno back on line.

6: 45 pm. we light up the engine, We make six pulls with each one making better power and torque, without any leaks on the outside. Air /Fuel looks good just a tad on the fat side, we believe the rings are seating, and the torque is not as high as I would like but it should make the show at Indy if the weather is hot.

9:00 pm. plus I am loaded up and looking for something to eat. AH yes the golden arches. I call Patsy and tell her the good news, we are going to Indy! Patsy calls me back in less than five and lets me know were in.

Its midnight and only 10 miles from the house, I should be in bed before one. Way to much "fun" for one day.

[Larry Hill]

Out in the shop putting up paper work and doing some filing, year end paperwork. I count 40 plus pulls that we did this year on the dyno. We checked jetting, cams, cam centerline, heads, valve springs, valves, sparkplugs, and timing. It was a lot of work and just a whole bunch of fun. I can hardly wait till next year to do it again, Indy is only nine months away. Almost forgot we went to four test and tune days to get the car to work.

I did not forget this: Merry Christmas to all!!!

[Bob Shaw]

Larry,
I'm sure you realize that this will be the 60th U S Nationals.