Hi Glen, The Summers model kit was here when I returned. It is as advertised
a 15 inch long chunk of solid resin, no interior at all. Very good detail of
the panel outlines and Dzus buttons. Both panel separations and buttons are
cut into the surface not ridges like on most airplane models. The only parts
to glue on are the air scoops, tire segments and exhaust outlets. I will
bring it to the lakes when I get it finished (don't hold your breath, I work
slower on models than I do on race cars). I hope Margaret can get me the
paint number.
Jim in Palmdale
----- Original Message -----
From: Glen Barrett <speedtimer@earthlink.net>
To: Jim Dincau <jdincau@qnet.com>
Cc: List Land Speed <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2000 12:22 PM
Subject: Re: Another chapter in the saga of the calamity kids VS the salt
> Jim
> Glad to hear you are OK. Man, you can't drink too much water at
Bonneville. To
> bad about the tranny problems but I know you will over come that. The car
sure
> looks good going down the course. It was one heck of a week on the salt
ant
> other then a couple of minor injuries, burns and bad bruises o the bike
rider it
> was a great meet. See you at the lakes. By the way did you get the Summers
> model? and if so how is it?
> Glen
>
> Jim Dincau wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> > Well there is good news and there is bad news.
> > The good news is we have cured the bearing problems we had last year. We
> > changed two inserts after the first run and five runs later all eight
still
> > had the flash coating on them. We are so gun shy we pulled the pan and
> > checked the rods after each run. After six runs the engine is clean dry
and
> > all in one piece.
> > The bad news is we destroyed both transmissions, another first for us.
> > The week went like this:
> > Saturday
> > First run, NASCAR tires 28" dia. (no I still haven't given up), 229 in
mile
> > 3, Russ said he had to feather it all three miles, no traction and
really
> > squirrelly.
> > Sunday
> > First run, 8.00-18 Indy tires 31" dia, turn out, no drive in high gear.
> > Trans is fried. Crew thinks there may have been some brain fade re
checking
> > the fluid level (car on stands).
> > Second run, same tires, 237 in mile three, Russ says his foot was flat
on
> > the floor all the way. Got some oil on driver so we pull the blower and
> > manifold to check the valley gasket. Couldn't see where the oil was
coming
> > from so we re sealed everything. We found a leak between the adapter
plate
> > for the PSI and the manifold (that's why the manifold pressure is down).
I
> > engineer a fix by adding more bolts attaching the plate to the manifold.
> > Before this it was just trapped between the blower and manifold with no
> > dedicated attach bolts just the eight blower hold down bolts. It also
gets
> > new O rings. Plugs look fat but since we expect more manifold pressure
we
> > leave it alone.
> > Monday
> > Jim the desert rat passes out at breakfast. The clinic at Wendover can't
> > find a cause so they transported me to Salt Lake. I Told the guys to
stay in
> > Wendover and run the car but they followed the ambulance to SLC. After a
> > batch of tests rule out heart attack, blood clot and epilepsy the doctor
> > says the only thing left is dehydration. I thought I was drinking plenty
of
> > water but I guess not. They want me to stay in SLC overnight in case I
pass
> > out again so Mary and I do. No mater what I say the crew says they won't
run
> > till I get back (a bunch of hard heads, but great people).
> > Tuesday
> > Mary and I get back to Wendover on the gamblers special bus (a hoot if
there
> > ever was one, bingo for entertainment and Oreo's and soda for a brunch)
at
> > 11 AM, we are back on the salt about noon,
> > First run, WFO all three miles, 237 again, engine is dry and sill rich.
> > Second run, 9.00-18 MT LSR tires 26" dia. 238 in mile three, had to
feather
> > it all three miles, no traction but not squirrelly. I am really tired
and
> > Mary wants me to get some rest so we leave early so as to be able to
start
> > early tomorrow.
> > Wednesday
> > First run, Added about 700 pounds of lead to the car, lets see it turn
that
> > tire now. Turn out at mile and half. Russ says it went like a striped
ass
> > bear, 7,500 in low not slipping the tires, shifted to high and the trans
> > blew the filler tube out and covered him with oil. Trans has metal
flakes in
> > the pan so our week is over.
> > Haven't heard the post mortem on the trans.'s yet but we probably will
do
> > away with the torque converter and put in a direct coupler and a push
bar.
> >
> > Not a great week but we went faster than we have since coming out of
> > retirement in 1998, had a great time (except for Monday) and for the
first
> > time the motor isn't junk. Russ's wife Sherrie came along for her first
time
> > at the salt. She had been apprehensive about Russ driving but once she
saw a
> > spin and the fact that there were no walls to hit a la NASCAR she had a
> > great time.
> >
> > And again let's hear the chorus "wait till next year"
>
>
>
|