**WARNING! This is a painful subject and I have had a TOTAL Sense of Humor Failure.**
Well, went to the track day at the Firm. It did not go well. AGAIN.
I waited out the first session because it had rained earlier that morning and again as I was in line for tech. Wet track and slicks seemed like a bad idea.
Went out on the second session and about the third turn I felt the steering go stiff and noticed the alternator light was on. Tossed the serpentine belt... Motored around slowly and back to the paddock.
The belt was off because the alternator mount was bent, putting the pulley out of line. How it got bent is a mystery. I guess I leaned on it or something whilst fiddling with the bodywork. I guess. I don't think I did, but that's my best theory. Spent a while trying to un-bend the bolt at the bottom of the alternator that runs back to the block and then rigging up some hose clamps around that bolt and the upper frame rail to hold things in line better.
By then it was lunch break. I made and ate a baloney sandwich. That was actually the highlight of the day, although I didn't know it at the time.
First afternoon session, I went out on-track. Got to about the same point on the track and something sprayed antifreeze on my visor and the hood. Temp gauge read 185, fan was running. I pulled off-line and drove slowly on around (AGAIN!!!). The engine started mis-firing on the back half of the track. Limped on in...
The overflow can was full and leaking out the top. Car was not hot. It could be that I had over-filled it when cold the night before. Or I've got a second bad radiator cap. Or I need an underdrive pulley for that pump. I emptied the overflow, put the thing back together and tried cranking it. It fired right up, ran smoothly, revved freely and sounded good. Mis-fire was gone. I went out for try #3.
I think I got to the straight just past turn 4 before it started mis-firing. I limped around to the esses between 6 and 7 when it shut off altogether. I coasted into a runoff area. Wouldn't re-fire, sounded like no spark or no compression or a dead goat. Got towed back to the paddock.
At that point I gathered volunteers, pushed that massive pile of shite onto the trailer and came home.
Not sure what I'm gonna do next. Removing all the electronics and putting a carb on it comes to mind. So does a big green and purple bonfire. I'm currently gathering matches and kindling while looking for a used intake.
No Peace, No Love and "Ahhh, Feck It!"
JDK
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JD, father of
Quinn, Son of a...
Build LogQuinn the Slotus:Ford 302 Powered, Mallock-Inspired, Tube Frame, Hillclimb Special "Gonzo and friends: Last night must have been quite a night. Camelot moments, mechanical marvels, Rustoleum launches, flying squirrels, fru-fru tea cuppers, V8 envy, Ensure catch cans -- and it wasn't even a full moon." -- SeattleTom