[Fot] Never be beaten by equipment

[Robert Blake]

Pops and I had a less than excellent weekend at TWS it would true to say that
we were beaten by equipment, one of us physically.

We just put a new engine
in Dads #14. The second one since December. We built this one with Wiseco
pistons, stock liners bored to 87+.005 on 1-3 and +.006 on number 4. This
resulted in the engine lasting most of the day Friday for test and tune. On
his last run we did a plug check. We had been trying to dial in his mixture
all day and moving from a lean condition as evidenced by previous plug cuts in
the day. After adjusting the mixture, reinstalling the plugs, gapping points,
and rechecking timing we started the engine to hear a horrible clatter from
within. Same clatter that dad had heard at the Mitty so we feared the worst.
Later that evening he and Bob Kramer confirmed that #4 piston skirt  was
scuffed again. The same thing happened on the previous engine at the Mitty.
Oil pressure was great all day (80 psi from 3000rpm up) the water temp never
went above normal range.

So other than lack of piston to liner clearance,
what causes pistons skirts to scuff on the liner?  Can a lean mixture on the
rear carb cause this without showing up as a hot running condition?

On to my
issue.

My aluminum hood pins broke on the TR3 on the back straight.
Unfortunately, the passenger hinge snapped but the drivers side did not. The
hood bent back and slapped my helmet pretty good (beaten by my equipment).
Never thought of it that way before. Not pleasant. So I am in search of a
decent bonnet. It is for a 58 TR3A. I am not too picky but proximity to TX is
a major consideration.

Info on both issues is appreciated.

Greg