2013 indy ''backyardigan''

[Larry Hill]

I thought I would share with the forum readers the time and effort I spent trying to make enough horsepower to qualify for this years U.S Nationals.

Got to get ready for the next round.

[Joe Toller]

Do tell! Do tell!

[Larry Hill]

We made the decision to try to correct the scratches in the cyl. walls, and oil usages by going to the next size over before the Chicago race. The water in #4 was a different issue.

Call CP and Total Seal and order pistons, pins, and rings. Its mid June and ship date is end of July. It will be close to get everything done on time for Indy but I don't think I will be fast enough to make "The Show"

[Larry Hill]

Just after Norwalk we remove engine from car and spend a week getting parts ready to go to the dyno. Cams, heads , springs, rockers, carbs, plugs, oil, gaskets, and a host of stuff to try the next three days.

[Larry Hill]

I arrive at Tommy's for three days of dyno work. Frank and I have it on the pump and make our first pull before lunch, things are going well. Recheck valve lash and start tuning using Renagaid 110 for fuel. We get the engine tuned to where if timing is changed up or down it lowers power, if jetting is changed it lowers power. The best way I found to read plugs after two pulls is to chuck them in a lathe and remove the threads and ground strap. It leaves just the porcelain and what ever color the base is and its very easy to read. End of day one.

Tomorrow cam change and other stuff.

[Larry Hill]

Dyno day two. George Widuch is on the way to help work the engine. We make two pulls on engine to establish todays base line. Time to change the cam. We degree the cam in using our notes and our ATI damper. Using the damper and cover works well if it is checked for TDC when you have the head off and using a larger degree to establish true TDC. I checked the centerline numbers after the dyno session during disassembly and was only off a 1/2 degree.

The second cam moved the numbers up about 200 on the rpm scale, and the engine seemed to like the change.

Time to get ready to make first hit at 2013 Indy. Man am I uneasy about making the "Show"

[pontiacchuck]

larry you will do good just do your best and you will make the shown

[Larry Hill]

Dyno day three. My finger tips are all sore and some minor burns on my hands from working on a hot engine, but the sacrifice seems to be worth it. We have decided on the camshaft to use. The power and torque are almost up to our go to Indy goal. Now is the time to try the new heads. The installation of the new heads reveals that we have a water problem in #4. Problem is water is leaking from the sleeve into cylinder. Head gasket sealing ring is larger than the O.D. of sleeve allowing water to enter cylinder and rust.

The new heads make the power and torque we need to go to Indy, YES! Now its time to go home and freshen up the engine, or do I, its running very well. That question makes the 140mile drive home go by quickly.

[jmcarter]

Larry, congrats on your great qualifying and run at the class trophy. Know many of the new car folks work hard on their combo but you working hard and "running against the wind" with the Cuda represents the best of what Class Racing is all about.

Hope the tour continues to reward yours and Patsy's dedication to the sport.

[Larry Hill]

The plot thickens! The next day I disassemble the engine to get the deck machined by Pat Robinson. I check deck height before it go to the machine shop and tell Pat he has .004 " max that can be removed. Pat does a great job less than .0005 end to end and side to side.

I have an appointment at Tommy's machine to get my blocked honed this coming Tuesday so everything is looking good. I inspect the cam its looks great until I see #7 Ex. lobe. The lobe has .025" wide, .008 to .010 deep, aprox. .100" long part missing on the opening side of the ramp. I look at the cam under a lighted magnifying glass and see that it looks like the lobe is flaking. I take a razor blade to pick at the spot and open the spot up to about a .250''. Man am I lucky, I dodged a bullet. Now we need a new cam made and in my hands in less than ten days. You know I got my fingers cross.