Went to Elvington on Sunday to practice `starts` with the lighter flywheel and different clutch. Previous best a few months ago was a 1.7 start 12.28 and 116mph.

Third start was 12.43 2.117 and 128 mph went on to 176mph at 1.25 miles in neutral on 3 cylinders.

Number `1` plug shattered but not through damage from internal debris. Engine apart tomorrow. Still hope to run Sunday. If damage was plug related only.

 

Bad luck Harvey. Hope the damage is minimal, would be superb if you are able to run. Fingers crossed.

 

That's quite a jump in terminal for the 1/4 mile.

Echo John's comments. A lot of people will have wanted to see how your car fairs against the new crop of high power cars that will be there.

Alan

 

Bad luck Harvey. Hope it is just plug related, and expect to see it on Sunday.

Steven

 

hope you get it back together for sunday, if there is anything i can do just give me a ring

Alan G - i understand your 3rd lateral turbo has self destructed, must be the TOTB curse!!!

 

Hi Jonny
Hope to meet up with you again on Sunday.

Yup, fraid so re: turbo.

Don't understand it at all, though feeling is the thrust has gone cause there is considerable axial movement on the shaft.

The car has been running great recently. Indeed me and the missus took it out a run down the coast on Saturday night and there was no indication of any problem.

It wasn't until Monday morning when i decided to remove the turbo to change the compressor housing for Mark (so i could get the old one back to him for TOTB this Sunday)that i found the damage. I was surprised to say the least.

We'll see what TD think of it when it's sent back down to them.

My only thoughts on it so far are that i'm glad i haven't had any track work or an event such as TOTB as i would expect this would have thrown out any claim on warranty.

Alan

 

BTW what plugs were u using ????? ..... and was this on the stock ignition system ..... hope u still make it

Carlos H.

[Edited by carlos_hiraoka - 7/31/2003 1:34:49 AM]

 

Are you sure it shattered, could it not be damage from being blown out and hitting something else. May be a case of worked loose and blew out?

Good luck hope it is something trivial.

 

the plugs harvey was using were HKS Iridium made by Denso.

 

I had those too but after two oil changes they already needed to be re gapped

Carlos H.

 

 

Any news yet??

Rob

 

Good news

It was just the spark plug breaking up that caused valve damage to the RH head.
A replacement head has been sourced and is currently being skimmed to match the clearance volume of the LH head.
It will be back together and running tomorrow
The pistons/bores were unmarked.

Andy

 

That is as lucky as ****! High RPM plug failure could have been so catastrophic. Look forward to seeing it fly on Sunday

 

Excellent!!!!!!!

Rob

 

The plugs are actually pretty good, I have not yet found anything to better them but ... I have to replace every 4-5k miles, NGK's lasted even less miles and running colder plugs was not an acceptable solution (read lost performance), Harvey has been a bit fortunate ... and unfortunate !!

bob

 

well if it takes a change of spark plugs every 3000 miles, for me to be able to have over 400bhp, I may do it

 

Good news Harvey!

I was expecting to see what your car could do, as the others from the scooby camp.

Good luck!

/J

 

Harvey,

Sounds like a lucky escape. Would it not have been quicker, and easier to have just repaced the damaged valves, guides, and seals ? Would have saved the hassle of finding a new head, and then having to machine it to match the original.

Mark.

 

Valve seat damage I think

Andy

 

Very lucky indeed, on motorbikes I've seen plug electrodes drop off & hole pistons etc etc ...

 

Bob, what intervals have you been inspecting/replacing your plugs at and have there been any visual clues?

Were the colder plugs bad for starting or were there other problems?

 

A set of plugs (any type) only last me circa 5k miles tops, Harveys engine is back in the car and will be ready all being well,when a replacement head is there in front of you and all it needs is a skim its really far quicker then messing around with valve guides etc, in less than a morning the head was ready, time being of the essence and all that. Had a good close look at all the bits but haven't been able to talk to Harvey today yet.