Monthly Archives: May 2015

Update from Lowell Duncan on Royale RP16

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“The work involved replacing the lower frame tubes and lower radius rod mounts, all tubing and steering rack mounts forward of the footbox bulkhead (except for the rectangular tube), and about half of the lower cross members, plus the upper cross member in the dash bulkhead, not to mention TIGing up numerous pop rivet holes (still a few left to do). The frame was also pretty twisted, so he straightened it with his frame jig as he put things back together.  Quite a bit of work, and still a little more to go.  At this point, Mike needed some garage space to get his Lotus 69 FB car ready for the season, so he suggested I do a cleanup of the chassis and a “test assembly” of the car to see what else might be needed in terms of additional brackets and such, in addition to removing some rust from the sheet metal bulkheads so they can be re-attached.  At least the frame is strong and straight now.  All brazing was done in the traditional gas-fluxing method as was used back in the day at Arch Motors. I also need to make the new radius rods and have Mike TIG the threaded “spuds” into the ends.  Not a lot of work, but it all takes time. So much left to do!”

Update 1965 Corvair Corsa Turbo Preservation

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Steve C. at Santa Fe Classic Cars has been working very diligently on the car.

1) Rebuilt rear suspension

2) Rebuilt gas tank and hoses

3) rebuilt brakes, masters and hard lines

4) found tachometer DOA.  Had Mo-Ma Manufacturing in Albuquerque, NM rebuild using new VDO internals.

5) Tarmo S of Santa Fe had used thermistor for left head temp sensor.

6) Rebuilt YH carb, found flange badly “bowed” so flattened with fly cutter on the milling machine.

7) fixed windshield wiper motor, windshield washer DOA.

8) misc repairs to clutch, throttle linkage etc.

With rebuilt carb in and running looking forward to putting the car on the street soon.

Steve has the car running and driving for the first time in 20 some years. Good job Steve.

See the Build Sheet Steve C found above the fuel tank.  Amazing a piece of paper survived that environment for 50 years. Confirms much of what we know of the car.  Will finish the decode soon.

corvair 1 Corvair Build Sheet

Elden MK10 Falconner Progress

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It was a busy off season.  Curtis Farley at Farley Engines built a new motor.  Scat crank and light weight flywheel/clutch etc.  I went thought the Hewland and confirmed all bushings etc where in good shape.

First event was April at Sandia Motorsports in Albuquerque, NM running a Southwest Motorsports (www.SWMS.org) vintage race.  I was not happy:  1) brakes have always been an issue.  With the new locking axle nuts on the Imp axles to eliminate loosening of the nut during braking.  John Hammill at http://www.hamfab.com fabricated the nuts and washers.  But the stopping ability is still poor.  I used old Ferrado DS11 pads as I had some and with the rear disk rotors being unobtanium didn’t want to get real aggressive.  I soloed the the DS11 a long time ago. Well let’s move on.

The rear external disk rotors are Sunbeam Rapier, per Peter Hampsheir.  I have scoured the internet trying to find a backup pair.  Contacted the Sunbeam Rapier UK club and found a pair of used.  I have cleaned them up and bored the bolt circles to match the car and have taken them to Santa Fe Auto Machine to have them faced.

So with a backup rotors I put some old Millitex pads on.  They work a 100% better than the DS11, but…..  Will look for some Hawks or Performance Friction Carbon pads.

One thing became more apparent that without adequate rear brakes the under steer is worse.  Going to add brake bias adjuster to help find that happy a balance.

Second race of the year at SWMS I found the engine running warmer than I wished.  70 deg day overcast and water temp 105deg C and rising.  Backed  off RPMs and the issue subsided.  So decide to have the radiators looked at.  The “mule” engine was an unknown and now the Farley engine is known hp.  That added hp maybe a bit much for 6000 ft and dry air,  so having the radiators checked.

Another issue found at the last race was  very “vague” shifter.  2nd gear was tough to get into and 4th was there maybe.  Found that in my search for removing slop in the shift assembly, I actually introduced some drag into the pivot at the front of the shift handle.   Redid the assembly and the next race much better.

So we are getting there.

 

 

 

Update Elden MK10 AM 73-39 progress

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We have taken a bit of time to get busy with the MK8, The engine was built a year ago. Engine is not FF legal. Bore is +0.100 over bore with Omega pistons and a unknown cam. This engine is cool so saving it to play with.

So engine is in, transmission rebuilt, needing plumbing etc. Sent the front Armstrong shocks to Archie Hodges to be rebuilt. Using rebuilt non-adjustable Bilstein shocks on the rear.

Got the water plumbing and oil plumbing done. Electrical wiring complete. Oh sh… decide to put the body panels on and found the placement of the water swirl pots interfered. As this car was apart when we picked it up I didn’t know what was different from the MK10 Falconner. So backup and redo the swirl pot.

New battery installed checked out wiring.  Today attempted to start the engine.  Wow that is some real compression and need to have a healthy battery booster.  Try again tomorrow.

Engine runs, sounds good. Beginning checkout of systems.