Sorry, "Cobra blood" all over

[Larry N Johnson]

The track, oil that is!

Event: Kirkham Track Day June 19, 2008
Miller MotorSports Park
West half the track
Thank you Thomas Kirkham and Joe Weight!!

Well, it finally happened!

Old 3850 is a real winner: survived

Here's what happened:

1. The car performed perfectly. Bars just right, tires incredible.

2. Let the pro driver take it for a spin; car is set up right. He could not do the "heel-n-toe" thing to downshift the corners the way he likes. He said the tires overcame that. Need to Seat bolt down better, steering wheel vs brake pedal modify...other projects in the future.

3. So anyway, we use the car until after lunch I was coming down the front straight and in turn 1 all of a sudden smoke pours out the frover's side front tire area. I am thinking: "maybe tires hitting body". Slow down, less smoke. At next flag station they signal the car off the track. Look at gauges and shut down engine; zero oil pressure. Ouch!!

4. "Cobra Blood", as Greg Scott calls it, all through turn 1 and on to where the car stops, about a quarter mile. Open hood: remote oil tube came unclamped! Simple fix. Was there engine damage? The flag guys point out that oil was still coming out...a good sign as that means oil still in engine.

5. So the flatbed gets Old 3850 loaded (slick rig) and we head the pits. Scrounge up 4 quarts of Valvoline Racing Oil from the Miller guys making race "spec" cars out of Mustangs. Tighten oil line; install oil. Fire it up...sounds great.

6. Meanwhile the track is shut down and clean up crews get rid of the oil.

7. Head back on the track: get a from the flag guys! Car works perfectly again!! So, no harm, no foul.

All bare alum (and beautiful) Kirkhams plus my lone painted humble FFR. So it's all good.



See more people next time...


Thanks again Kirkhams...I'll check the old race car closer next time. No more blood letting...

[Three Peaks]

Larry,
When did you go to the Goodyear Eagle race tires?

[Larry N Johnson]

Got them as second tires for the magnesium wheels maybe 15 months ago.

Huge weight difference:
Street Alum Trigos (chrome plated) w GY Eagle GTII 62 lbs:


Track Magnesium rims w GY Eagle "Sports Car Special" slicks 42 lbs:


Saved 20 lbs per corner on rear! Guessing at least 15 lbs front...total 70 lbs lighter.

[franklin]

Glad to hear it was an easy fix, when I first started reading I was wondering?

[Larry N Johnson]

Todd,

I reallu need those braided SS lines for the oil, not the clamp on rubber ones. As the revs go up, so does oil pressure. Quite a lot, too.

Larry

[DonC]

Larry:
Glad to hear everything seems to be o.k. You can't afford too much more gray hair. I agree with the braided lines wherever possible.
DonC

[CobraCurtis]

Hey Larry,

Glad to hear no damage. Must of had your heart race just a bit though, huh? Man, it sure didn't take you long to get back out on the track after just getting a paint refresher.

Cheers,
Curtis