The "other" Miata is taking shape. All I can say is I sure wish my welding skills were anywhere near this good! Certainly looks like Muddy could pass the broomstick test with this one. Nice work Torch.
ZLime Racing - Home of the Seize-Z-um, a 1992 300zx (more or less) and it's little sibling Ra-D-um the Wanna be D-type. Follow along as we attempt to keep both racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Sears Pointless Work Update
Work continued on cars this weekend and we made some good inroads. That is quite the feat with the current weather in our area. It might be braver for the team to travel to get to the shop, than to even drive the cars on track. So many thanks to the team for making this happen.
As for the work, both cars got some good attention. The big issues on the Z is our fight with various wheel bearing all four corners. Several weeks ago our teammate "The Count" made it to the shop and help replace the left rear bearing. During that weekend we also thought the left front bearing was shot. However, on closer examination the bearing was not the problem, it was the whole spindle had sheared loose and allowed the wheel to freely wobble. No, that is not good. Since then left side has been replaced.
Then seeing how catastrophic that could have been the right side got some preventative maintenance, and that assembly was replaced this weekend.
While doing this job, two issues were learned. First, the damage is not hard to occur, and it has been only luck that we have not had this trouble before. The second is that the rebuilding of this assembly and by extension the replacing of the front bearing is a lot harder, and needs specialized tools than first thought. So, the answer; acquire two entire assemblies, build them up, and have them ready if needed, so the job can be done trackside.
The Z also received some attention in the cooling department. From this last race some induced rubbing of the fan shroud by the crank pulley, caused damage to the structure of the radiator. It does not look like the damage got into the radiator tubes, however seeing the aftermath of an unnoticed radiator leak from the team's second race in Reno, a new radiator was installed. Attention was paid to the fan mounting bolts that caused the damage, so some alternate retaining brackets were designed to mount the fan. Now we just need drivers not to encourage a narrowing of the distance between the fan and the crank pulley.
The D also got a lot of attention. The first items was to address a shifting problem. Reports from late on Sunday had several drivers have gear selection troubles. One thought is the syncros. A second is the wearing out of the shifter. The shifter was taken apart, and it was noticed that excessive wear was present. So parts where changed in hopes that corrects the trouble.
A second upgrade was from the oil containment system of the shifter. The original shroud was ripped, and resulted in oil occasionally spraying the driver. To solve this a zip lock baggy was installed to prevent oil spray. The new solution come with thanks to Z-Chef for the inspiration and a worn-out oven mit. This upgrade is thought to also help with a possible flame suppression if it ever came to that.
The upgrade to the rear differential is also completed. Driveline to half-shafts were all replaced and updated to the 1.8 spec. Since a lot of work was put into getting to this point, on the day of installation the truly hard part was getting the original spindle nuts off the mounted half-shafts. It took Lugnut stopping on the breaks, Torch wedging the rotor with a bar, and Muddy with unfathomable long cheater pipe torquing way. Yes, a Breaker Bar was harmed in the loosing of that stubborn nut. Just after the grand loosing, Z-Chef came to take lunch orders. This brings drive-thru to a different level.
The D also got some more alignment treatment. After hammering, pulling, bending, and prying we think the cars balance has been restored. Here is the scales result to prove the balance.
Now we just need to await the results of the alignment treatment to see if we have truthly recovered.
With the major repairs done on both cars we can know focus on the punch list for the race. I should have that procured in the next weeks and we are on our way.
As for the work, both cars got some good attention. The big issues on the Z is our fight with various wheel bearing all four corners. Several weeks ago our teammate "The Count" made it to the shop and help replace the left rear bearing. During that weekend we also thought the left front bearing was shot. However, on closer examination the bearing was not the problem, it was the whole spindle had sheared loose and allowed the wheel to freely wobble. No, that is not good. Since then left side has been replaced.
Then seeing how catastrophic that could have been the right side got some preventative maintenance, and that assembly was replaced this weekend.
The Z also received some attention in the cooling department. From this last race some induced rubbing of the fan shroud by the crank pulley, caused damage to the structure of the radiator. It does not look like the damage got into the radiator tubes, however seeing the aftermath of an unnoticed radiator leak from the team's second race in Reno, a new radiator was installed. Attention was paid to the fan mounting bolts that caused the damage, so some alternate retaining brackets were designed to mount the fan. Now we just need drivers not to encourage a narrowing of the distance between the fan and the crank pulley.
A second upgrade was from the oil containment system of the shifter. The original shroud was ripped, and resulted in oil occasionally spraying the driver. To solve this a zip lock baggy was installed to prevent oil spray. The new solution come with thanks to Z-Chef for the inspiration and a worn-out oven mit. This upgrade is thought to also help with a possible flame suppression if it ever came to that.
The upgrade to the rear differential is also completed. Driveline to half-shafts were all replaced and updated to the 1.8 spec. Since a lot of work was put into getting to this point, on the day of installation the truly hard part was getting the original spindle nuts off the mounted half-shafts. It took Lugnut stopping on the breaks, Torch wedging the rotor with a bar, and Muddy with unfathomable long cheater pipe torquing way. Yes, a Breaker Bar was harmed in the loosing of that stubborn nut. Just after the grand loosing, Z-Chef came to take lunch orders. This brings drive-thru to a different level.
(Note or almost warning on the new differential. It is stiff. It is not as stiff as the lock differential, but during the test drive inside tire chirping was whitenessed when pulling out for a test drive.)
Now we just need to await the results of the alignment treatment to see if we have truthly recovered.
With the major repairs done on both cars we can know focus on the punch list for the race. I should have that procured in the next weeks and we are on our way.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Sears Pointless 2017 - Were In
Message body
#24HoursofLeMons #BecauseRoadkill
Hi, Muddy:
Half-Life Racing (Seize-Z-um and Ra-D-ium) has been officially ACCEPTED for Sears Pointless at Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma CA on March 25 - March 26. (Multiple entries? Log in to see what got in and what didn't.)
If you're racing, you must read this email completely!
1) FINISH YOUR INFO: Your team's current status is Not Ready to Race. If you're not showing "ready to race," log on here and fix what's missing. (In case you need it, here's a step-by-step guide to the reg process.)
2) PRINT A TECH SHEET and inspect your car against every line. Bring your signed, filled-out Tech Sheet to Tech at the track, and remember--not every rule is reflected on the Tech Sheet. You still need to study the full LeMons Rulebook.
3) READ THESE NOTICES:
EVENT SCHEDULE, CAMPING, DIRECTIONS, ETC: Look for these on this race's Event Page--when we learn something new, we'll update it there.
DRIVER-SAFETY GEAR: FULL SFI 38.1-RATED HEAD-AND-NECK UNITS ARE NOW MANDATORY! To see helmets, suits, head-and-neck units, and all the other required crap at sponsor-subsidized rates, visit LeMons' online store.
RACE #s: If the number you want isn't available on your Team Home Page's pulldown menu, somebody else already has it. Pick another one.
RULES: The LeMons Rulebook has been updated! Read the complete Rulebook (http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules) now and re-check it often, refreshing your browser each time. Remember, it's your job to know this stuff!
DRIVER-SAFETY GEAR: FULL SFI 38.1-RATED HEAD-AND-NECK UNITS ARE NOW MANDATORY! To see helmets, suits, head-and-neck units, and all the other required crap at sponsor-subsidized rates, visit LeMons' online store.
RACE #s: If the number you want isn't available on your Team Home Page's pulldown menu, somebody else already has it. Pick another one.
RULES: The LeMons Rulebook has been updated! Read the complete Rulebook (http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/prices-rules) now and re-check it often, refreshing your browser each time. Remember, it's your job to know this stuff!
DROPOUTS: There are no refunds or fee transfers! When you enter a race, you're buying the right to compete--not a guarantee that you'll get your own act together. If you drop out, can't finish your car, blow up, go broke, catch swine flu, step on your own wiener, or otherwise fail to avail yourself of your grid spot, you forfeit your entry fees. That's why they're called "entry" fees, not "I got to drive the whole race" fees.
4) COUGH UP YOUR ENTRY FEE: Your entry fees are due now--all fees must be paid in full by 02/11/2017. Miss that deadline, and your spot may be given to a team on the waitlist. (Need to beg an extension? Drop Nick an email before the due date.) To check your current balance or pay online, see your Team Home Page at https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/17821.
TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD, use the "Pay Now" button on your Team Home Page at https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/members/races/registration/signup_id/17821.
TO PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, make payable to "24 Hours of LeMons" and mail to LeMons Dept. of Up-Coughing, 5675-C Horton St, Emeryville CA 94608.
5) ALL SET? CLICK THIS LINK TO CONFIRM YOUR ACCEPTANCE:
https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/login/acknowledge/sid/17821/hash/d0d759a4f99f1048d7c85d539ecf02b4
https://registration.24hoursoflemons.com/login/acknowledge/sid/17821/hash/d0d759a4f99f1048d7c85d539ecf02b4
Got questions? Hit www.24HoursofLeMons.com or:
Nick Pon, Associate Perpetrator
5675-C Horton Street, Emeryville CA 94608
nick@24HoursofLeMons.com
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