2013 indy ''backyardigan''

[Larry Hill]

Dyno day two. George Widuch is on the way to help work the engine. We make two pulls on engine to establish todays base line. Time to change the cam. We degree the cam in using our notes and our ATI damper. Using the damper and cover works well if it is checked for TDC when you have the head off and using a larger degree to establish true TDC. I checked the centerline numbers after the dyno session during disassembly and was only off a 1/2 degree.

The second cam moved the numbers up about 200 on the rpm scale, and the engine seemed to like the change.

Time to get ready to make first hit at 2013 Indy. Man am I uneasy about making the "Show"

[pontiacchuck]

larry you will do good just do your best and you will make the shown

[Larry Hill]

Dyno day three. My finger tips are all sore and some minor burns on my hands from working on a hot engine, but the sacrifice seems to be worth it. We have decided on the camshaft to use. The power and torque are almost up to our go to Indy goal. Now is the time to try the new heads. The installation of the new heads reveals that we have a water problem in #4. Problem is water is leaking from the sleeve into cylinder. Head gasket sealing ring is larger than the O.D. of sleeve allowing water to enter cylinder and rust.

The new heads make the power and torque we need to go to Indy, YES! Now its time to go home and freshen up the engine, or do I, its running very well. That question makes the 140mile drive home go by quickly.

[jmcarter]

Larry, congrats on your great qualifying and run at the class trophy. Know many of the new car folks work hard on their combo but you working hard and "running against the wind" with the Cuda represents the best of what Class Racing is all about.

Hope the tour continues to reward yours and Patsy's dedication to the sport.

[Larry Hill]

The plot thickens! The next day I disassemble the engine to get the deck machined by Pat Robinson. I check deck height before it go to the machine shop and tell Pat he has .004 " max that can be removed. Pat does a great job less than .0005 end to end and side to side.

I have an appointment at Tommy's machine to get my blocked honed this coming Tuesday so everything is looking good. I inspect the cam its looks great until I see #7 Ex. lobe. The lobe has .025" wide, .008 to .010 deep, aprox. .100" long part missing on the opening side of the ramp. I look at the cam under a lighted magnifying glass and see that it looks like the lobe is flaking. I take a razor blade to pick at the spot and open the spot up to about a .250''. Man am I lucky, I dodged a bullet. Now we need a new cam made and in my hands in less than ten days. You know I got my fingers cross.

[Larry Hill]

I get the cam on the way and now its on the road for a 280 mile round trip to have the block honed @ Tommy's. I use CP pistons and have a new set with me to make sure we have proper piston to wall clearance for each cylinder. The set of pistons only vary .0002" so that makes the hone job a little simpler. Eric Wingo shows up at the shop and ask me if I am building a diesel, what a sense of humor. The rest of the day goes well and make it home for a late supper.

Next day clean the block and do some trial assembly.

[Larry Hill]

Once home I give the block a very good cleaning before trial assembly. First thing I check is the drag on the oil ring, we play musical expander and rails for a little while before we decide on the package.