Lotus 7 D mod. - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #76 06-07-2015, 05:54 AM

I'm off to Grissom today for an event. This is a Northwest Indiana event, the Gary region.

The previous owner of the car is coming down from Milwaukee to run with me. He is an 8 time national champion, (at least), five of them won in this car. He is bringing his wife who will also drive. She is a physically tiny woman (with the heart of a Lioness) about 5' tall and 120 pounds soaking wet who has finished in the trophys a couple of times running this car and competing against the men. She also won womens championships two or three times.

If I can't learn from watching them it won't be their fault.

Small chance of rain today and the temp is supposed to get up to about 80 so that's about perfect for the car, but I'll be a little hot.

t walgamuth · #77 06-08-2015, 02:05 PM

Ok, so I got schooled by the national champ. I am pitiful! But after four of our to be 8 runs the right rear axle came apart. So today I pulled it out (amazingly easy...took 15 minutes (once the car was up on jack stands)). It looks like it has been welded before. So that is a bit odd.

t walgamuth · #78 06-08-2015, 10:49 PM

Turns out the builder of the car shortened it by cutting it and removing a section and welding it back together when building the car because he could not buy one the right size. Heh heh!

I think I'm gonna buy a new one and get it shortened a half inch since they offer 20 and 21" but mine is 20.5". A friend is going to cut it off with a wire cutter (electrical and wire process). We'll cut it off in the 31 spline section since there is more there than needed to fully engage in the rear end.

t walgamuth · #79 06-09-2015, 09:07 PM

I just realized that I not only did not have to remove the wheels, I did not even have to jack the car up to pull the axles since its a full floating rear end.

All that is needed is one allen wrench to remove the hubcap and a bolt to thread into the end of the axle to pull it out. In a pinch you could remove the hubcaps and drive both axles out with a broomstick.

t walgamuth · #80 06-11-2015, 04:33 PM

The new axle is supposed to arrive today. I'll get it shortened and installed but we're gonna go camping this weekend instead of me racing. I can use a week off after all the running I've been doing. I think I'm gonna see about getting the old axle welded to keep around as a spare.

t walgamuth · #81 06-15-2015, 11:05 PM

The new axle came today. I am going to install it tomorrow and see if it will work without being shortened. it looks very possible.

P.C. · #82 06-16-2015, 12:24 AM

Thanks for the updates, Tom!

t walgamuth · #83 06-16-2015, 08:03 PM

I just got it all buttoned up. One of the parts did not fit the way I think it should but I bolted it up anyway. I think I'll pull it out tomorrow and correct it. It'd probably be ok but I'm not gonna chance it.

t walgamuth · #84 06-17-2015, 08:01 PM

I pulled out the axle again and took about 1/16 off it. I am not sure if it is loose enough yet.

t walgamuth · #85 06-19-2015, 07:27 AM

I signed up for the Wilmington OH national tour event August 14 and 15. Besides me there will be last years national champion in D mod and the second place driver in my car. It'll be a prequel to the Nationals in Topeka.

t walgamuth · #86 06-19-2015, 08:51 PM

I'm looking at buying a model like this to study aero stuff.

t walgamuth · #87 06-20-2015, 03:20 PM

I removed the axle today and took another 1/16 or more off. I'm getting pretty good on the grinder.

The car is loaded up and ready to leave early tomorrow. Michael the man who is building my Studebaker truck is going to come and co-drive with me.

Woo hoooo!

t walgamuth · #88 06-21-2015, 06:24 PM

The axle worked fine today, but Michael and Steve both schooled me. I lost by tenths and they were both very close to each other, so a few tenths here or there I could have won.....but I lost.

t walgamuth · #89 07-04-2015, 05:29 PM

We ran on the concrete at
Grissom today. Perfect weather really. Clear sunny 83 degrees and a decent breeze most of the time. I had a bit of trouble working up my speed after racing on the slippery asphalt tracks. Once I worked my speed up I thought I had died and gone to traction heaven! On my last run even though I muffed the most important turn badly I came within a tenth of my nemesis's time.

We're running again to morrow. I'll get him.

Mölyapina · #90 07-04-2015, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

We ran on the concrete at
Grissom today. Perfect weather really. Clear sunny 83 degrees and a decent breeze most of the time. I had a bit of trouble working up my speed after racing on the slippery asphalt tracks. Once I worked my speed up I thought I had died and gone to traction heaven! On my last run even though I muffed the most important turn badly I came within a tenth of my nemesis's time.

We're running again to morrow. I'll get him.

You do it, Tom! We know you can! Smoke the nemesis!