Formula Ford - Page 12 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barry12345 · #**166** 10-27-2013, 11:50 AM

Thanks for sharing. Got to be a little discouraging from time to time. I think racing means enough to you to persevere.

I was wondering if a crewmate type of individual might smooth some of the bumps. Two heads looking at something can help sometimes. Anyways I imagine you are competing against somewhat younger guys in general. Beating them has to have some positive personal upside. Actually besides the issues it sounds like you are having a really good time.

t walgamuth · #**167** 10-27-2013, 02:27 PM

The amount of work associated with the Formula Ford loading, unloading, getting in and out with the harness etc. along with a jumper battery since its a total loss electrical system really favors having a co-driver. It was a lot more fun the first year when I had Jimmy co-driving. He was young and agile and it was fun talking on the way to and from the events. He also helped with the work on the car when it was needed. I provided the cash.

It was extra fun when I beat him because of the age thing. The last two seasons the amount of times I have missed events due to problems has really taken a lot of the fun away. I do enjoy driving it very much and I really enjoy working on it as well, despite the difficulty of knowing what is needed a lot of the time.

I still sway between keeping it and selling it. There is a Honda Fit motor conversion which is available which would simplify the engine part of the picture, but it costs between 15 and 20K installed and I really have a hard time investing such sums.

I am pondering installing an alternator though since that would simplify operation a lot and not really add much weight. Getting rid of the jumper battery would eliminate a lot of work.

t walgamuth · #**168** 10-27-2013, 03:16 PM

The lack of seat time has limited my ability to keep the rust off my driving, too.

t walgamuth · #**169** 04-26-2014, 09:33 AM

In getting the car ready to run on Sunday, yesterday I found I was not getting oil flow to my op gauge. Now I have to figure out why.

t walgamuth · #**170** 04-26-2014, 05:25 PM

I have come to the conclusion I have simply lost prime, so I'll assemble it as before and crank it with no plugs in it to gain prime. Hopefully I'll be able to get done soon enough to run tomorrow at the state fairgrounds.

t walgamuth · #**171** 04-27-2014, 02:19 PM

In reviewing my notes I find that I may have run a couple of events last year with the gauge not working.

t walgamuth · #**172** 05-03-2014, 03:49 PM

So today with some coaching from a fellow from the Apexspeed forum, I determined that I have attached my oil pressure gauge in the dipstick hole....don't I feel like the dipstick!

The good news is that I was not running the engine without oil pressure I was running it with the gauge hooked to the wrong hole thus reading nothing.

So Charlie talked me through to another pipe threaded hole which should offer oil pressure which is behind my coil. So if I can figure out how to get it attached there I should be good to go.

Back to the garage!

sunedog · #**173** 05-05-2014, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The good news is that I was not running the engine without oil pressure I was running it with the gauge hooked to the wrong hole thus reading nothing.

So Charlie talked me through to another hole which should offer oil pressure which is behind my coil.

Vaguely reminds me of a romantic encounter after far too much alcohol.

t walgamuth · #**174** 05-07-2014, 06:24 AM

Here is the oil pressure bleeder I borrowed from my favorite machinist.

Air&Road · #**175** 05-07-2014, 06:30 AM

Yes, this sort of driving is one of those things that DEFINITELY involves lots of recent practice. Shooting is the same sort of thing. Takes lots of recent rounds to have sharp marksmanship.

t walgamuth · #**176** 05-14-2014, 07:13 AM

Yesterday I got the oil pressure up, fired the engine, showed 65 psi immediately, then pumped out 21 oz of extra oil put in in the bleeding process. Now I am ready to run!

Woo hoo!

It will be my first time since my rotator cuff surgery. There is a fellow from Terre Haute who is going to come and help me out. He is interested in my car. (Not to buy just intellectually curious, he says). Whatever, I will be glad for a second set of hands.

t walgamuth · #**177** 05-14-2014, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air&Road

Yes, this sort of driving is one of those things that DEFINITELY involves lots of recent practice. Shooting is the same sort of thing. Takes lots of recent rounds to have sharp marksmanship.

Agreed totally. Lots of practice is what makes a champion.

t walgamuth · #**178** 05-18-2014, 10:45 PM

I got some practice today. I drove three hours down to Laurenceville Ill, near Vincennes IN. and ran at the old ww2 airfield. The concrete is very very grippy as it is at my home field, Grissom. We were supposed to get 6 runs but I had a problem after four and had to load up. When I worked, prior to running, I was at the finish line which had a very very fast not very sharp turn as you finished. I watched the entire heat run through it at high speeds and nobody lost it there.

Naturally on my first run I came at the finish line just like I thought everybody else did. I took a wide entrance to the last right hander right before the finish line and as I began to turn right...I swear I was not pulling one G....and the rear end just started coming around. I hit the finish line sideways after taking at least eight cones out! I ended up backward in the cool down chute.

So next time I approached it I decided it was off camber on the left side due to the drainage slope in the concrete. I hugged the inside line and hammered the gas, not slip no slide and a much better time.

After that I hit no more cones. I had hopes of fast time of the day. there was a B mod and an F mod there, both are faster cars than a C mod but the F mod guy looks older than I and the B mod guy looks almost as old as I so I was hoping I might beat them....no dice, they both beat me by three seconds plus!

The car handled well and ran well up til it Quit. While trying to get it started I noticed my neck was rubbery....first event of the season!

t walgamuth · #**179** 05-27-2014, 08:04 PM

So I found out today I left the ignition on since sunday. Had it tested and its fried again. Dang its getting expensive at about $80 a shot.

t walgamuth · #**180** 05-31-2014, 10:47 PM

Replaced the coil today and it fired right up after I noticed the starter was loose and tightened the bolts. Suddenly it turns over like a champ!

I'm off to the speedrome tomorrow for an Indy event.