Running with FRCCA at NJ

Last weekend was our Lola's very first outing and the culmination of our rebuild. Finally after 3.5 years of a fun, ground-up nut and bolt build the car was loaded on the trailer and run for the first time at speed.

The first day at Lightning was basically one fix after the other. We had an oil leak (forgot to tighten oil pressure line at gauge), dealt with air starvation at carburator (fixed by removing too dense air filter), managed cooling issues (by purging airlock) and fixed brake lock up (by bleeding the brakes..) So all in all the first day was spent with sorting.

The second day at Thunderbolt was much better and we ran the car in mid pack which was surprising if you account for our car being the only one with non slick 3 year old vintage threads. I felt the car handled beautifully and was sticky in the turns. She also had great power, smooth delivery and acceleration.

This weekend was finally the summit of this nut and bolt rebuild and I learned a ton about the Lola and open wheeled race cars in general.

Thanks to the FRCCA who made me feel very welcomed, Mark Wehrman from Wehrman Engineering who rebuilt the gearbox, fabricated most parts and did an expert job on the cars alignment and set up, Peter McCarthy of Midnight Auto who rebuilt the engine and sorted most of the car and my two sons Philippe and Victor who helped in the rebuild. At last thanks to Flo, my wife who endured my obsession.

Now its time to race my other cars again...My Porsche 914 seems neglected...

THE END

Air filter

Installed metal grid and air filter over Weber carburetor 

Last but not least

Received rebuilt Jones Tach and tach cable and installed it. 

Cushions for steering tack

Due to the little room in the footwell I installed two foam roll cushions in the steering rack in order to protect my shins. 

 

First Test Drive

Today came the day we were waiting for for over 3 years. The very first test drive!!. I strapped my bicycle safety lamps to the frame, wore my safety color jacket and strapped in. Surprisingly everything went perfect. The Lola shifted, braked and accelerated as expected. We terrorized the neighborhood by circling the block several times ...until darkness forced us back into garage. 

Research and Revelation

We stuck a boroscope in one of the freeze plugs just above the fuel pump and found what looked like a scraped and damaged area in the oil pan. With the assistance of a long screwdriver we carefully hammered out the baffle in the pan and hoped for the best. Indeed- after putting everything back together the noise is nearly gone. We suspect it will disappear all together as the baffle will grind away.

Noise

After firing up engine we heard a knocking noise which seems to be coming from the oil pan. Not great news but part of the process. 

It could be a connecting rod hitting the aluminum oil pan or an oil scraper. 

We will now remove one of the plugs above one of the oil pumps and see what to do about it. 

Engine was rebuilt and no noise was heard - however it had a different oil pan on it. So we suspect it's the aluminum oil pan. 

Would hate to have to take engine out again after being 99.9% done but let's see. ...

Exhaust wrap

Wrapped exhaust 

Valve cover breather hose

Had to buy a step down adapter to marry valve cover breather hose with oil tank. Pep Boys had it. 

Safety wires

Coolant, fuel and oil caps were drilled and received a stainless wire safety lanyard covered by a stylish hose. 

Heat Shield

Rear body received radiant heat shield treatment which will prevent hot exhaust from burning fiberglass body. It was a self stick backing so was easy to apply. 

Upper link bushings

Ordered aluminum bushings from McMaster and enlarged holes on lathe. Also had to sane them to make them fit. Worked well and there is no more slop in the rear suspension (at least from that area ..)

Labeling of covers

Thought it would be a good idea to label fluid covers as they are so close together. They still need to be safety wired. 

Rain light

Electrics still need hooking up ...

Rear body brackets

Today fabricated two aluminum rear body brackets and riveted the Dzeus receptors on. Installed them on top transaxle housing. 

Rear body

Aligned and installed rear body Dzeus fasteners which was tricky as perfect alignment between rivet and spring are crucial for correct function. All worked out ...