About LCH Restoration

I restore and race Elden FF's. I solo and road race in vintage racing. I also have collected as much info on the Elden Marque as I can and work with Peter Hampsheir to further the official "Elden Registry" in the UK

Update on MK10 and MK8

Posted on January 3, 2013 by LCH Restoration

All engine parts are at the machine shop (Santa Fe Auto Machine) her in Santa Fe, NM I have the MK10 and the MK8 engine in the shop so allot of parts to order and manage.

When the shop gets done we will complete the order for bearings and rings, etc. Shopping around between BAT and Pegasus finds a large variance in costs. I keep a spreadsheet of all current prices for “ALL” parts I have used. If you want a copy of the list send me an e-mail.

Trying a new firm for RaceTech guages. Ben at Transatlantic Raceparts, Ltd internet site is: http://www.race-parts.com. They were recommended by RACETECH in England as a source of the gauges for the MK 8. Using a dual oil pressure/oil temp gauge and a electrical water temp gauge. Give them a try.

So back to cleaning parts and working on the MK 8 brakes.

Larry

Elden MK 10C Makes it Debut at NAPA Speedway, Albuquerque, NM

Posted on December 21, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Progress continues. The Elden MK10C was loaded into the trailer for a debut run at NAPA Speedway. http://www.napaspeedway.com

The day was nice about 47deg and no wind which for us is quite nice for December. Ran the car in the paddock to try and bed in brake pads and build in heat into the engine. This is the first time the car has moved under its own power in over 16 years.

The Hewland works well, brakes not so much, and engine felt good. For some reason the brake pad is soft even after several rounds of bleeding. After many laps pulled in and found several minor oil leaks and a good portion of oil into the overflow that looked like it had water in it. Oh Sh… Assume it is a head gasket so put the car away.

Pulled the head the next day and a head gasket isn’t the major issue but did find more corrosion in the head and block. Remember I didn’t rebuild the engine from when it was brought home. The engine had started and ran so we flushed the systems and put it on the back burner. Guess that was wrong. So the head and block are at Santa Fe Auto Machine in Santa Fe, NM for head rebuild and block cleaning.

Back to the shop and Happy Holidays to everyone.

Update 12-9-2012

Posted on December 9, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Good Morning loyal followers 🙂

A quick Update. Allot of work has been completed. John and Adam Hammil finished building new radiator tubes to route the lines in a much more clean fashion from the old 12″ flex hose. New swirl pot and also corrected a minor frame issue and helped me pour a new seat. HAMFABINC.com

Got my used treaded tires from John Berget. Since the Dunlops are hard to come buy got a set of Avons for initial setup and testing. http://www.jbracingtires.net

Engine compression checks good with <6% variation. Will do leak down tests after track day to finish breaking in and getting all the seals warm.

Car is to be put on the ground today to set initial alignment and ride height. Then into the trailer for a Dec 16th test date at NAPA Speedway in Alb, NM on the road course. Several of our open wheel friends will be there to support the efforts.

The Elden MK8 1973 is moving closer to its place on the roll around. After track day will pull the engine/trans to put new water pump, pulleys and belts, and freeze plugs. Look for new pictures of the shop later today with the FF lineups.

Fuel Cell can complete–Almost

Posted on September 9, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Finished taking the poster board molds and converted to 0.060″ Al sheet preferably 5052 to make the bends easier. Came out looking better than I had hoped. Still need John Hammil to weld the top joints. Next week.

Relocated the Fire Extinguisher under my legs with the battery and re-plumbed it along with relocating the actuator. Note on this system there are two (2) safety pins that must be removed before the system can be used. So I tie 2 red streamers on those pins as a warning”Removal Before Racing”. Now to complete the Fire Extinguisher and battery cover out of fiberglass.

Progress on the Elden MK10 Fuel Cell Installation

Posted on September 4, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Worked today on installing the Harmon Racing Cell. Plumbed the fuel with #6 Aeroquip hose and fittings. Plumbed the cell vent(roll over valve) also with #6 hose and fitting exiting the rear of the engine compartment opposite the exhaust header.
Next comes the Aluminum panels to encase the fuel cell. We will use the bulkhead as the back panel and will bend a new front panel(seat back) and side panels from one piece of Al metal. First built a cardboard pattern to get an idea of what is needed. Since cardboard is so thick and not very flexible for the bends built a second model out of poster board from the hobby store. The picture shows these 2 models against the cell. Next will be to transfer the poster board model dimensions to the Al sheet

Note the high degree of precision. hahahaha So off to the shop to find a suitable piece of Al sheet.

Back in the Saddle Again

Posted on August 6, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Sorry for all the delays. With the new house came a new shop. I committed to get the shop the way I wanted before I moved any cars into. Epoxy floor, tape/texture and paint, new work benches lined with galv steel plate.

Today I put the 87 Van Diemen into the shop to start prep for the Aug 18-19 Vintage race with SWMS at the Albuquerque track “NAPA Speedway”. Tomorrow the Elden MK 10 will move over from the old shop and I look forward to getting back to work on it. I will post better pictures of the shop in a few days.

3-4-2012 Update Fuel Cell for the MK10C

Posted on March 4, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Good Morning. Well the last few weeks have been busy on non-race car projects.
On Friday I received the custom fuel cell from Jim Harmon at Harmon Racing Cells: http://harmonracingcells.com. I have attached pictures of the design and final delivered cell. Later in the week I will swap cars in the shop and take pictures in the location behind the driver in the MK10C. Note: Everyone should check their own dimensions before ordering.Elden Mk 10 Fuel Cell Design Harmon Racing Cell Design

I can’t wait for this next step. Good Luck on your project.

I’m still alive, but busy

Posted on February 27, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Good evening.

Sitting here watching the Daytona 500. Glad to see no one is hurt. Pretty amazing.

Anyway the oil pump is headed back from Farley Engines and the Fuel Cell has shipped from Harmon Racing Cells.

Curtis Farley has encouraged me to change the oil suction(scavenge) line to AN 10 from 8’s. Will require a change to the oil tank and the dry sump pan. Will take to HamFab in Edgewood, NM.

The Fuel cell pictures will post this weekend once I get it. I will show pictures of the cell on the bench and also in the car. Look forward to that.

Anyone know what stub axles we use on the MK10C? It appears mine are wore and the rotor doesn’t always center when the big nut is torqued on inducing run out. HamFab checked the rotors and they are within 0.005″ run out. May need to replace or come up with an alternative plan.

Classical Gas Museum in Embudo NM

Posted on January 31, 2012 by LCH Restoration

I took a trip to Taos NM to PU a pit scooter. Found a 1985 Honda ACT200S, a vintage 3 wheeler to go with my vintage race cars.

On the way home I stopped by Johnnie Meier’s Classical Gas Museum in Embudo NM. Embudo is on HWY 68 from Espanola to Taos. Located on the quiet banks of the Rio Grande River Johnny has a unique collection of vintage gas pumps, service station signs, oil cans, soda signs, Neon items and Thermometers. Also many antique car and farm items also dot the property.

Johnnie and I sat down in the lawn chairs overlooking the river and reminisced on our years where we worked together in Los Alamos, NM. Had a great time and we agreed to keep in touch more often than once every 15 years. If you are in the area stop by and talk to Johnnie it id definitely an experience you won’t forget soon.

1954 Siam Blog

Posted on January 28, 2012 by LCH Restoration

Acquired the 1954 Siam in Dallas, TX in 2004. Car was complete with Crosley engine, Fiat Topolino Rear axle and maybe Triumph Standard 4 speed gear box.

This car was built by Purdue Engineering Students for a class project and raced until 1964. Built off a 3″ tube ladder frame and a Bill Mays Fiberglass body.