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healeyboz

healeyboz

Jedi Knight
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I figured out the rocker arm assembly problem thanks to Hap and a few other guys. The guy that I originally got the head from is happy to get the comptune head back and is sending me another. He said that this new head has been slightly milled and was intended to be a back up for his son's autocross car. I have an email out to him asking if there has been anything else done to the head (performance wise). Is autocross a class in racing? Obviously I will have to see the head and take measurements to see what has been done, however, are there certain specs that I should expect when it arrives?

The guy that I am getting the head from is a good guy, I just prefer to get all of your opinions.

Unbiased,,, ya know??
 
Autocross (or AotoX),is a course set up
normally in a parking lot,with cones.It's
also called a slalom (or in SCCA - Solo II)
in some places.
The cars are set up into different classes,with the object of going through it with the fastest
time possible.Lots of fun,& usually more relaxed
than roadracing.

- Doug
 
Thanks for the info Doug. I just asked my father if he had ever heard of it. He said they call it many things but that is what he used to do in the early 70s. Mini cooper stuff... I just hope this head is a good one for what I am trying to do. I'm sure it will be.
 
Big plus is that although you may break something it will not be at speed or against another moveing object.

The tighter the course the better Bugeyes like em.

Look up Bugeye on utube you will find several 8mm videos of Gymkanas put on by the Armed Forces Forign Car Club in the Pacific Air Forces Headquarters parking lot. Good fun. And yes my wife indulged as well.
 
Autocross was extremely popular in the UK in the 1960s, but was almost totally eclipsed by Rallycross when it came along in the 70s. I'm not sure why that happened. Perhaps Rallycross has more TV-camera-appeal to it, and some serious top-flight rally drivers were involved using works-built cars, including Minis, Escorts, Volvos, Peugeots, Audis, and later Subarus, whereas Autocross was always a local thing, run by small groups of fellow enthusiasts for their own delectation, in many cases using their daily drivers, far from the bright lights and the TV cameras. Bugeyes always did well in Autocross in the UK. Sad it faded away, really. There was an autocross place near where I lived, (before I was old enough to own a car) and it was always the same 15 cars, mostly Minis, but it was great fun to watch. It's not easy to hang the tail out in a Mini, but some of these guys could!
 
This is what the head builder said in response to my email:

">The head I sent has been prepared for SCCA autocross regulations in D
>-Prepared. This is similar to the requirements for F_Production in road
>racing. The valves are the largest allowed. The springs are BMC ST
>heavy duty and are rated to 8400 rpm. The exhaust valves are Stellite
>high strength high temperature material and the valve seats are hardened
>for lead free gasoline. There is subtle porting and polishing. The head
>has been milled to bump up the compression ration about a half point. "
 
Check this out Boz...book, NFI
"Secrets of Solo Racing" by Henry Watts.

I've just read it as I will make my debut this June, however mine (Midget) is stock, so I'm not sure about classes when it comes to SCCA.
 
Boy you took it a little slower the second time with the missus aboard, eh Jack? Good video!!!
 
Yep, that was her first ride before she tried it and I was showing her the line and gears and such. I actually only had two speeds, full on and full off and usually in the parking lot things second gear only after the start. Oh a bit of third in spots but not much.
 
Look at that car, fighting rust even then.
 
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