Thought I would wash the car Friday evening. Needed to get all the rubber booger marks off the car, oil smears and brake dust.

Fired up the car, brought it into the driveway to wash it. Tried to let it idle by itself and it stalled when it was idling down to about 1200 rpm. It stalled. Tried to start it again but it wouldn't even crank over. Actually to be more accurate the eccentric shaft was locked in place.

Oh well..... the engine ran well when it ran. The failure speeds up the build schedule on the new 1/2 bridge S5. I have to bring in some help to do the work. Bringing the S5/ templates/ rebuild stuff to him tomorrow for a consult and drop off.

After we talk I will fill you guys in on the new schedule for my next race.

Eric

 

Sorry bout your luck with your engine siezing up! Better in the driveway than at 120 mph on the track.
I will have to get out to the track to watch your ride in action sometime this summer.
Hope your next one is stronger and faster.

Ace IIB

 

Good thing it happened in your driveway and not trackside as you're preparing to roll out for a practice session.

 

Had to happen at the beginning of the season too, huh? That damn, Murphy!

 

owch. =/ Sorry o hear about your loss. Could have been at a worse time though right?

 

Nuts.

At least it appears you will be up and running again soon.

 

I've never seen anyone losing an engine and taking it so well....
Thankfully it happened in your driveway...

Hope to see the car up and running soon!

Lates,

 

Out with the old, in the with the new.

 

i had my clutch go one night in my driveway!!!! Didn't think anything of it when she wanted to keep rollin with clutch enganged!!
Found out next morning!! I was alright with it though, was a clean Break, then she became funds for May 24 weekend...........................1999........i think.

By the demeaner of your text you seem ok with it!!! and like that saying goes all good things come to an end!!!
Sorry bout your Luck,......... then again some Good luck there too!!!!

 

We're all here for a shoulder to cry on if you need it.

 

You've gone through a few engines in the last couple of years, correct?

 

Yeah, this will be my second. Welcome to the world of racing bone-stock engines run at the rev limiter for 60 minutes straight.

The engine that went last year over Victoria Day Weekend was a new Mazda Re-Man that didn't like cold temps and high rpm. It spun its bearings, just one of those racing things.

This engine was an unknown quantity. I bought it from some people in Brampton who had no history on the motor. It ran okay but I believe just miled out and an apex seal went. It did make 4 races as well as the 3 hour (where it was abused to no end running incredibly lean).

No issues as I got my money out of the keg. The new motor will be prepared properly and be a known quantity. I don't expect to have any issues for quite a while.

Al lost his engine last summer as well. Just part of racing. Perry Ianuzzi lost 3 engines in 1 week leading up to the 3 Hour and blew a hose during the enduro and didn't finish. Just part of the bill.

You have to pay to play.

 

Will you be able to make Canada Day wknd?

 

Depends on how fast the engine is built and if we can get it run-in in time.

Right now I would have to say no, but I will let you know for sure.

 

What will you do to "properly" prep your next engine? Other than 3 window bearing and running premix (because of you're going well above redline) I can't really think of anything that is available.

 

When I mean properly prep, I am talking about knowing what parts are in the motor, ensuring that everything possible that can be done to ensure survival like, replacing eccentric shaft squirters with jets, increased pressure FD regulator, baffle plate, proper Air/Fuel/Oil ratios at all rpm's, maintaining proper temps at all times ( too cold with too high rpm killed the Mazda Reman along with no baffle plate and stock oil pressure regulator), etc....

The latest engine was just a tired unknown quality S4 that we beat on pretty hard. It spat an apex seal after we abused it by racing a misfiring motor for 3 hours. I knew we were taking a risk, but sometimes (in the words of Darryl Waltrip) "you just run the sumbitch till it blows". This is not sensible but happens in every race and you cross your fingers and toes and giv'er.

Actually the original engine raced for 4 years banging off the rev limiter each shift and put in over 8,000 kms of on-track time before giving up. It ran extremely well and was replaced at 161,000 kms after we had to tickle the engine into life just to get it to run and it spun a bearing. This engine is on display at Scarboro Mazda and still looks good inside.

Eric

 

That's good to hear; I was getting a little worried after your earlier post.