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2014 PVGP Video/Picture Thread!

Nial--

See my email to you. I don't want to run the world again--it didn't work out very well the first time.
 
The Bechtols weren't a race team way-back-when, they started vintage racing ~15 years ago if I remember correctly with an Elva MkIV and a Lotus 18.

Saw the Bechtols 18 in one of Nial's pix. Only know of one 18 in the area (I know it'd be a "long shot" the if it were the same one), It was in Ligonier back in the late '70's, pretty sure it was set up as a Formula Junior of the day.
 
Great videos, guys! All I could think, though was:

"He's not The Stig, but he is The Stig's American, Vintage Racer, Cousin."
 
I got a call Saturday from one of the PVGP race directors who apologized profusely for gridding me at the back for the feature. He explained that because many drivers chose not to drive in Saturday's rainy sessions the organizers decided to treat Sunday morning as a qualifier and for those who did not drive in that session they would be gridded according to their "projected" times, but unfortunately I and a couple of other drivers were simply overlooked. I told him that since I broke it would not have mattered anyway and hopefully the system will work better in the future.

I pulled the engine today and found what I expected: the splines in the clutch disc which engage the transmission input shaft were simply gone--see the attached photo. I have a new disc on order and everything should be in order in time for my next race at LRP's Historic Festival over Labor Day.
 

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Sounds good. I think PVGP is a great event but it will always be a "work in progress". I think that's just the nature of the beast.

And yikes on the clutch splines!

I did a clutch and throw-out bearing yesterday (plus some other stuff). I'll be at the New Hampshire Vintage this weekend.

Linda wants to spectate at the Lime Rock for the Labor Day event, so we'll probably see you guys there.
 
Nial--

This will be the third clutch plate I install in the IV in about as many years--I suspect that I have some misalignment between the engine and transmission that is creating the problem and next time I have the transmission out I will try to address the situation.

Hopefully I will again be parked adjacent to Michael Clifford's tent. The last two years we have been right in front of the media/restroom building in the upper paddock so please feel free to hang out with us.
 
Michael, what does the input shaft look like? If that is intact, the metallurgy of the disc hub would seem to be an issue rather than one of shaft misalignment.

Could the shaft have been twisted to deform the splines at the transition point between engage/disengage?

That's just ~nasty~ BTW.
 
The input shaft looks just fine. As I mentioned this is the second time that the part has failed in three years. The first time was with a different transmission which used an 11 spline disc. This last one was with a different transmission which had a fine-spline shaft that used a 23 spline disc and on that one I went for the thicker hub option the spline lengths of which is .550" versus .275" for "stock".

In both cases the input shafts were fine and the splines were simply gone. The shaft is of hardened steel and I believe the hub/spline material is bronze. So I must feel that it is a matter of misalignment versus one of either a deformed input shaft or bad metallurgy.
 
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I've found watching these drivers' perspective videos not just fun...but educational as well. It's really interesting studying how you take the turns (downshifting, getting back in the gas, the line chosen, etc.).
 
I've found watching these drivers' perspective videos not just fun...but educational as well. It's really interesting studying how you take the turns (downshifting, getting back in the gas, the line chosen, etc.).

I'm glad the thread has been informative! I was hoping to see videos from a few cars at the same track to do comparisons like you've mentioned, but I suppose it wasn't to be...
 
I found this clip while going through some old footage from this past Summer. It's a funny short clip of my throttle cable popping out of its retainer seconds before leaving the grid for qualifying at PIRC. I tried using some more editing tools in this video, so please let me know if they're helping or hurting! Thanks!

 
eeek. I've had it happen in traffic. A sinking feeling. For whatever reason the vid won't load here just now.


Years ago I rigged a more secure receiver for the cable on the Cortina using some old Atari computer frame bits. Someplace around here there are a couple pix but I doubt I can find 'em. For a period of time the only return springs for the Weber setup were a smaller diameter than OEM ones, less tension and tended to allow the cable sheath to hop out of that barrel receiver. Frustrated, I fabbed up the Atari rig.

Have had 'em snap as well, very early in my LBC days. Now I always carry a spare cable in the glove box, too.
 
eeek. I've had it happen in traffic. A sinking feeling. For whatever reason the vid won't load here just now.


Years ago I rigged a more secure receiver for the cable on the Cortina using some old Atari computer frame bits. Someplace around here there are a couple pix but I doubt I can find 'em. For a period of time the only return springs for the Weber setup were a smaller diameter than OEM ones, less tension and tended to allow the cable sheath to hop out of that barrel receiver. Frustrated, I fabbed up the Atari rig.

Have had 'em snap as well, very early in my LBC days. Now I always carry a spare cable in the glove box, too.

I didn't use any computer frame bits, just a heaping helping of duct tape! :smile: It's not going anywhere now.

We've had the cables snap on a few of our cars, usually on either side of the "pinch washers" holding the cable. Even with plastic washers it's something we have to stay on top of.
 
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