When it rains, it pours

A little maintenance this Spring I thought. New valve springs, tires, have a look at the bearings, trans, and shocks. Trans looks ok except a pile of metal on the magnet. Reaction shaft support and rings are toast. At least the rest looks like new (350passes). Found bad threads in #3 hole during comp testing. #3,#4 mains look a little suspect. Pull the motor. Water pump is coroded next to the motor plate, disassemble and mill flat. Pull the crank for mag, it's cracked, order a new Molnar piece. Rear coil springs are bent, rubbing on the shock, order new parts. Front shock leaks. Pull all 4, fronts will be rebuilt. Dyno the rears, curve is out to lunch. We'll see what happens when they come apart. Ok at least I'll clean the bottom of the car while I wait on parts. Oh , what is this? A cracked front frame rail. Now the entire front suspension gets pulled for access. Aren't race cars fun? Good thing I had some wins last year.
Doug

Wow, sorry to hear about all the trouble. Thats how my luck was last year just getting the 511 in and tuned. How your luck gets better soon.

But your car was working great with all you found now just imagine how much better it's going to perform

Dang someone's going to be busy.
Still plenty of time

Always take second looks, first time.
A lot of what you found could have turned its nasty head into a catastrophe, so you caught it in the first stages.

Yeah, fix it good and give it a multi-point annual check up before any race from here on then, though it looks like you already do that anyway.
Doug, I'm glad you caught Murphy.

Ouch, good luck getting it back together! What brand of crank was it that cracked? How many passes on it?

Doug, sorry about your luck, but then, lucky you caught it.

Would you care to share with us where the frame cracked. It would help some of the rest of us know where to really look hard.

Best of luck, I am sure we'll see you racing.

Crank originally came from Indy, no name but it has Pentastar on it. It was used and the thrust suface and #3 was burned when I got it. Polished then put 500 passes on it. Before that??
Doug

Better to find it now than at the top end when you drive over your own crank! I would say that crank owes you nothing!

Bummer Doug.. you have some work ahead of you..
good luck with it

Yes. Was putting rockers on this weekend to get motor running. When I was baring motor over to set valves a bunch of water came out of spark plug hole #4.
So tore the head off. At the shop to be pressure tested. Awaiting the results.
Glad I checked now vs 3 weeks from now. At least I have ample time to get it sorted.

Damn Doug you got rocked. I’m sure you will have it up and running again in no time. Great catch. Are you coming to Pittsburgh this year. Hope to have a beer with you.

This stuff is high maintenance. Time and money. You did it right, finding the problems before they bite you.

As mentioned, better to find now than going down the track, sounds like a good inspection, get her done

When people complain that their cars don't run right, or constantly breaking, this is how you stay in front of it. Good catch on all.

Doug: glad you found it now instead of later. I would trade all your problems for my one. Hopefully see you at Norwalk. Birdtracker

Actually pouring down rain here now... I too have a car with multiple "problems" that won't be raced without some serious time and money. You found some weak area's that need attention. Good job! It's amazing the things that call for attention when you are right there with a wipe rag. I used to remove the back tires (kind of a PITA) and wipe down the ENTIRE car after every race. I slacked on it the last few years racing it so gently in S/ST on the Div. trail. Now it needs everything! "And while I'm at it I really want to do this" snowballs into my brain and GOOD GOD it's NEVER ending!

Cracked front frame rail? That sounds bad.

WOW sorry to hear this Doug BUT like everyone said good thing to find out now. Take your time and get it right and can't wait to see you at the track again!!!

back her down to a mid 10 combo and a lot of those problems will go away!

sorry to hear this doug ! i love 64's, and your's tops the list ! hope that's all you find, and it goes back together quickly.

Yaaaaaa right. That was kind of funny.

True race cars only get better with their scars.

Received my new Molnar crank. It's amazing that it weighs 2 lbs less than the old crank yet needs just over 300 grams removed to balance (the old crank had 5 slugs of Mallory). Off to the lathe today to trim counter weights. Unfortunately the 4.500" stroke is only available in Chevy rod width. Now the entire motor is apart. Rods are off the pistons so the rod big ends can be surface ground.
Doug

How many passes on that beast??? Where was the crack in the frame?? Was it from going up or on the landing Maybe add'l bracing could prolong that.Your regular PM program shows the benefit!!Good luck this season.

No rest for the fast guys, Doug..... I read posts like this and think an 11 second street / strip ride just may be the right place to be. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll have it back together “lickety split”! 😉

500 passes. The frame crack was right in front of the left rear K frame bolt. Must have had a mouse nest in there at one time. Pretty thin, but only a small area. It's all cut out. i'll fab a replacement part tomorrow.
Doug

Hats off to a great maintenance program! Doug, you must go a lot of rounds a year?

Average about 100 runs a year. Depends on how far I go in competition. Had a good year in 2017. Started 14 events, 4 wins, 2 semis, 2 5th rd loss.
Doug