342 replies to this topic

[Tiny]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Denis: What youve said is right mate.. I have a bad habit of automatically heading for the worst ( and most expensive!!) I'm going to give it an oil change tomorrow, check the filter ( systems 1 filter so i can check for particles) and see how that works out... THe last thing i want to do right now is open heart surgery on it!

Brett: yeah man.. the 3.7s are UNREAL... I'm so glad i got this ratio.. I'm happy enough with it on teh freeway.. it does rev a little higer than i'm used to but hey.. its still got HEAPS of squirt!
I dont have any warning devices other than the guage so i tend to keep a watchful eye!

Struggler: now you worry me thats whats happening to me! I noticed it on one of the only HARD HARD stops that i did.. the oil pressure dropped to 0 and returned after the car stopped and idled for a sec...
What was teh cause of yours? Pickup?

THanks for your help guys.. I'm really grateful and want to get this sorted! i wanna RACE!!!!!! But as i said.. i cant afford to tow it down there just to kick a rod out of the block... So please understand if i decide to go that way ( And dont come talk to me at heathcote.. i'll be angry all day!)

Cheers

[Tiny]

OH.. Brett.. How's your engine going mate!? got it back and sorted yet!? please say yes.. ibve gotto see at least ONE of our cars there!!

Cheers!

[Struggler]

Struggler: now you worry me thats whats happening to me! I noticed it on one of the only HARD HARD stops that i did.. the oil pressure dropped to 0 and returned after the car stopped and idled for a sec...
What was teh cause of yours? Pickup?

That is exactly what mine would do.....the head would break off the pickup tube, just like ALX SS said. It appears to be a common problem with BBC oil pumps. Dean Sweeney (454 Capri) used to encounter it all the time. He used to get under the car and belt the sump with a rubber mallet. You could hear the pickup bounce off the floor of the sump and land again ! Other guys I know at the track have made a removable bottom for thier sump, so you can drain the oil and change the pick up easily ! I ended up using a Moroso pick up with a brace, lasted about twice as long but still eventually broke off.

Try the rubber mallet trick, let me know how you go.

[Tiny]

I might just do that mate!

We gave it an oil change today and went with a pennzoil 50 weight racing oil and it made NO difference...

The filter was very clean.. i mean the oil had some metallic flakes ( kinda like a metallic pearl paint.. ultra fine flecks) in it, but the gauze of the filter had no bearing material or anything though it. Looks like ive been lucky enough not to have wiped any bearings or anything from low pressure!

I'll have a chat with the engine builder again tomorrow and see if he's heard of the pickups breaking off with BBC pumps.. ( Is that just BBC pump in a SBC? or a common BBC problem?)

Do you know of any permanent fix!? this sounds like a HELL problem!!

Thanks mate!

[rodomo]

What about a "creepy crawly" pick-up like they have in swimming pools?
Goes to the back on acceleration and slides forward under brakes?
And is flexible so vibration won't hurt it either.

RACV MAN

Edited by rodomo, 12 March 2006 - 09:55 PM.

[Tiny]

Love the idea! wonder if they make em

[rodomo]

Put your thinking cap on.
We could makee a fortune here!

RACV MAN

[Tiny]

You could be onto something here mate

Have you patented it yet? :Spoton

[Tiny]

Well.. Ive decided....

The engine is coming out... Going to get a good check over and a freshen up ( Rings and bearings as required).

Bit of a shame especially as i wanted to race this weekend, but its for the best. Who knows might even pick up some HP from somewehre

Cheers and thanks for everyone's help

[dattoman]

So what your saying is your rejoining the dust collectors club and the race is back on between you and Tinks to see who's back on the road first

And send me the diff gears....... hehehe

[Tiny]

hehe yeah race is on again i spose... Hopefully ( no actually...) it WONT be that long.. cause i wont allow it...

ive ben driving it for so long now that if i dont get my fix.. i'll start kneecappin!

Not yet ok!

[Struggler]

I know how you feel..... I recently removed my heads to check a leaky guide, one thing lead to another, now the whole lot is on the floor.

Keep us posted Tiny !!!

[gtrboyy]

LOL-mine is about to join the dust collectors club,it's got 5 days of rego left & Ive been driving it every chance I get.Hope it's not off the road too long.

[Tiny]

hehehe I'm still a founding member of the dust collectors club... Tinkers too

Trust me.. it aint a fun club! I just want to join the 11 sec club!

[Tiny]

Hmmm I best be kneecappin i reckon!

I just checked this post cause i was wondering how long its been since i was ABLE to have some fun and FARK! March!!!

Anyway... Ive got good news and good news...

Good news is the Car has now been engineered! I had the engineer come out and assess the car this afternoon and he's said that there's nothing that i have to change to have the car legal! HOORAY!!
Couple of things need to be slightly changed like the guages on the bonnet.. but nothing terrible at this stage!

I'm also getting in contact with someone who can help me to re-inforce the rear end of the car and track down and fix this diff hopping problem. While its appart i think i'll re-do the fromt ball joints and check everything over as i[m not entirely happy with them, So Hopefully in the next few weeks i can get all that sorted!

The Engine builder is organised to replace the sump/pump/pickup to fix the oil problem and that should see MOST of the gremlins sorted!

THEN it's up to me to fit the autometer dash and new sound system and fix up the wiring behind there ( Yep.. ive got a short in the headlight circuit somewehre!) and we'll be back up to scratch!

Anyhow, That's an update, and i'm back off to work to pay for all this!

Cheers!

[Tiny]

NOSLH: Yeah man! so much for a Chrismas pressie to myself hey! LOL! If only it was the car taking up my time! Between work and starting up 2 new businesses (gotto pay for this hobby somehow!!) I've just had NO time!!

Chevy: I dont have any wallpaper as such mate, but look at www.tinyshq.com for some pictures that southo took of the car! He's the man when it comes to piccies!
Thanks for the comments too

Cheers!

[Tiny]

12.4 @111 Mph is its best yet! Aiming for better

Cheers!

[Tiny]

Well.. i FINALLY got off my arse and did SOMETHING to it!

I tightened up the rear shocks and it's made a big difference to the diff hop problem!

I went Full Tight less about 3/4 of a turn on the Koni Adjustables and Err.. Road tested it a little and found that it was alot less prone to hopping! It did get a littlelight and started to shake the tyres slightly when it got up a bit into second gear.. but it was nothing as bad or violent as what happened previously!

I Also had a really good look at the suspension mounts/bushes etc and there doesnt seem to be any signs of movement.... Back to head scratching now!

I'm not going to bother spending the time or money at the moment trying to beef up the rear end if its not needed, What i'm going to do is to get new tyres all around, Do all the front end (bushes if need be, but Tie rod ends and ball joints etc) and get the Mini spool removed so its a bit easier on the axles!

All that'll be left then is to put the carby on and get a dyno tune and we're set!!

*PHEW*... At least SOMETHING positive is happening!

[LXCHEV]

Good news!!!! Bring on the dyno and BRING ON THE DRAGS!!!!!!!!