Here is why in only 3hrs I spun a bearing...
 

But first I am going to give you all the symptoms and what was checked and NOT checked.

At initial start up the oil pressure came up just as it should but while breaking in the cam the pressure began to fall and fluctuate around 25 lbs. There was some discussion about the oil pump and length of my AN 10 remote oil lines and the size of my oil cooler. So the decision was made to replace the oil pump, pickup and high pressure spring kit. Pressure seemed to stabalize after warm up at 45 lbs. Oil pressure seemed normal and the operating temperature was normal as well.

AS IT TURNED OUT THE PROBLEM WAS that one of us (probably me) put the oil filter adapter GASKET that goes between the block and the filter adapter on backwards. The oil pressure was strong enough to push a hole in the paper gasket to allow some oil to circulate, but it wasn't enough to save the engine. No oil to the rear of the engine means a lot of trouble and cost. I should have the engine back later this week (new 7 & 8 rods and pistons, all new bearings, gaskets, a real good vat, new oil cooler and we chose to only turn the crank to 0.30 rather than replacee it .

Just carelessness and no other excuses. As you may recall we finished the "break in" on the Wednesday before I left for Omaha and then I loaded the car in the trailer for the race on Thursday. I was in too big of a hurry! Another thing, although my machinist has offered to cover the cost I don't intend to let him accept all this responsibility.


True Confessions!

Clois

Well that was a painful lesson. :CRY: :CRY: At least you figured out what the problem was. Hopefully all the trouble is behind you.

I know how you feel. I turned the remote oil filter lines backwards--ONCE!! :)

Rick

Clois,
Wow. Thanks for letting us know. I learn something here just about every day. I hope you recover your ride soon.
Steven:)

We all do that kind of thing!
 

Clois, I hope you have it for Hallett!! You're a big man to own up.

See you in Tulsa in any event.

Keith

I will be there...
 

It will take about 3 hours to put my engine back in and I plan on some local crusing for a couple of weeks. I am putting my 2X4 setup on it while I have it down. I am sure it will take a while to get the carbs tuned and every thing ironed out before I do any serious racing.

Anyway since I sent this email Kent gave me a call and is convinced he put the gasket on wrong and is insisting on covering the total expense. I really don't know who did it but we agreed to split the cost! I know they tested it in their shop with a stock block oil filter housing and everything was fine. Mistakes happen...or is shi_ happens.

At any rate I plan on being at Hallet next month. My team mates (Lew and David) are not going to make it this year so as they tell me I will be a team of one. Lew was a team of one in Nashville this past weekend and he claims it was a waste of his time and money, very poorly ran and organized. So, even though we won't have the gas powered margarita maker (weedeater powered blender) can I still party at the Texas corner?


Clois

Clois you will fit right in! Bring it on.
 

You will have a great time.

Keith

This has been my fear! Is there a diagram on how to route the oil cooler lines available? I know to most it would seem like an easy task to do this correct but, I am not a master mechinic and have often wondered if I have the oil lines correct. My little 302 has a remote oil filter adaptor and then lines that run to the cooler.
I have been chasing a oil pressure problem for a while and have concentrated on the gage. I have replaced the sending unit and have the second VDO pressure gage installed. When the motor was first cranked it registered 55-60 psi. After about 50 miles or so the gage registered zero. I put it on the trailer and returned to the house and started chasing the problem.

Any suggestions??????

Load Clear....

Hey,,,,,your running with the Big Dogs on that mistake.

Non other than the Butcher his self had a similiar problem, not once, but TWICE before he found out. His thing was the adaptor plate itself on backward if I recall correctly. He was getting ZERO oil to the motor.

By the way, WHERE is the good Butcher??? I do miss his intellectually stimulating discussions and his complete truthfullness be it good or bad!

And along those lines I must say:

I SALUTE you Clois!!! The motor you save may be MINE someday! Your motor did not die vain.

Ah,,,,,don't you just feel all warm and fuzzy now. LOL

Ernie

Tip "o" the hat ,Clois for tellin it like it is.....any one here who hasnt done something similar has never turned a wrench.

KK

I admire your integrity. Good luck on the new one.

Clois, What event in Omaha???
 

Are you attending the Midstates/Shell Valley event in Hooper? Or is there another cobra event in Omaha??? Just want to make sure I'm not missing something since I live here in Omaha.

It takes a real man to accept responsabilities - tip my hat too!

If only more people would stand up to their faults instead of blaming s.b. else ...

I´m sure version 2.0 will be much improved !! Happy motoring!

Clois - I had been watching your saga and am glad you pinned down the cause.

Sorry it turned out to be such a frustrating error, but you are in good company. Any man who claims never to have made a mistake basically has never, and will never, achieve anything.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I can assure you guys if there is a mistake to be made I have or probably will make it. Fortunately we have this site to express our concerns and to vent our frustrations. The members here have always be a great help to me and I thank you all.

Hawk,
I heard there would be another weekend in August sometime but I am not sure of the dates. The Pacific Junction (Omaha) is a first rate facility, I only wish others tracks were managed and maintained as well as Mid-America .

On the lighter side I must admit that some of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen live in the Omaha area. I brought my 18 year old nephew with me to the event and I thought he was going to break his neck checking out the babes while we were in the downtown entertainment district.

Clois

Frustration way to hurt a motor, but it's always nice to at least find the cause, rather than just putting it all back together without a clue why it happened in the first place.

Good luck,

Clois...Glad you're correcting the motor problem and will be back at it shortly...
if you get another date for Mid Am (MAM) let me know...perhaps I'll come up too...that Place was great....we went the next Sunday (Following weekend) and ran our Mustang and watched the Vipers...I'll link ya to a few pictures...
George

http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2712.JPG

http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2694.JPG

http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2714.JPG

http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2718.JPG

Another date
 

George,

The Northwoods Cobra Club indicated that weekend that they were scheduling another weekend later in the summer. I will ask Lew Payne to keep us both posted on any additional dates.

By the way thanks again for your help that weekend in the pits. Also, I sure do l like your Mustang as well as your pictures. Hope to see you and everyone else soon.


Clois