Boss Bird Headed to Cordova BOP Oct 7th
 

Our next track outing will be in Arnie's backyard.

Engine is getting freshened after Norwalk. Top end of engine is perfect but we hurt some bearings and some crank journals. The overall conclusion is that the oiling system plumbing mods done over the winter were aesthetically better but we're a step backwards for the bearing life. If you've followed our saga, you already know that flooding the bearings with tons of oil is the only way to keep a nitro engine intact. The winter mods drastically shortened the hoses which was better for minimizing pressure loss. Unfortunately the hoses on top of engine appear to have been trapping air pockets that weren't fully purged out at idle. Then stepping on it and getting the big slug of oil shoved the air into the bearings and ran them dry just long enough to hurt them.

We're going back to last year's plumbing and adding air bleeds to the 2 high points. Next test.....Cordova!

On a separate note, we had broken an upper ring land at Kil Kare and had the top ring sticking out. In the old days of the iron block, that would have scored the cylinder. But the Darton sleeves that we're using now were untouched....back in service with no honing or anything. Those things are tough!!

Eric

Can't wait to see you guys there. Just another reason to go to this event.

Cool! Im hoping to be there helping my dad and brother

That's great, I hope I can make it. That's always a good event.

Best of results for you guys!

We're soooooo close to nailing the perfect combination.

Eric

Great! Looking forward to seeing you guys make a pass

Good deal! See you there!

Little up-date. Some of the important parts needed are starting to roll in. The crankshaft is fixed and ready for another go. Damaged Jesel rocker arms from the obstructed lifter bushing, repaired and back. Rods are being checked and a couple re-worked. Should have them next week. I will line hone the block this weekend, just needs a little touch-up. Worst housing bore, .0004" small. This block is tough. Should have short block together a week from tomorrow.
Some of you who visited with us at Norwalk know we had to run that event without any oil filter system. Not the best situation, but you do what you have to to race. Our cast aluminum dual filter housing cracked and began leaking during the warm-up. The engine is so violent, even the dumbest components crack and fail. We removed and bypassed the filter assembly for that race. Eric has designed a much more robust and better flowing housing and we are having it cut out of billet aluminum. It should also be ready for Cordova. Stay tuned.

Methodical problem solving. It will be worth it. Best of luck guys!

We continue to feel strongly the big payoff is just beyond our grasp. So we can't stop reaching for it. If we can get a handle on the oiling situation, the door is wide open for making more power. I line honed the block and after all the stupid mistakes and torture this block has been through it cleaned up to nearly perfect. All 5 mains are +- .0001". Thanks again Frank and Bob @ All Pontiac. The block is just great!.

Little update, especially for those who may be able to make this nice BOP event. All needed parts to get the car back together are here now. I will be assembling the short block today and tomorrow and then get into the heads. New tires are mounted and balanced, Eric has made necessary modifications to essentially go back to the oiling scheme we ran last year. New billet oil filter mount WILL NOT be ready for this race. We will run another cast unit and hope it can last 1 day. Everything is coming together in time. Cordova Raceway is a great track and we look forward to running the Boss Bird there for the first time. The Grocery Getter had many, many laps at that historic track. One of the high points in the last 20 years of racing was standing in for Arnie Beswick at the World Series of drag racing and winning a match race against "Animal Jim" in Arnies honor with the Grocery Getter. The car ran fantastic that weekend, Eric was super sharp on the lights, and we won all our runs. The 700+ Cu. IN Mercury was no match for our little Pontiac that weekend!

3 Saturdays away, I plan on being their.

Really looking forward to running at Cordova. Lots of work to do but moving along steady. Completed engine to go back in the car this week. Then new plumbing for the oiling system back to 2016 configuration. Clutch and trans to put in. Lots of details to button up, Then off to the race.

I've seen Arnie at the last couple events this year but he hasn't made any passes. Do you know if he will be there making passes too?

We will be there.

The last event I attended, may have been last year, Arnie was there with car, but made no passes.
Year before he made a pass, said he was worried engine was wounded, made no more passes.

Arnie will be at the Cordova event and is one of the reasons we wanted to be there. Not sure of the status of the Tameless Tiger. The older pro-stock engine in the car likely has many hundreds of runs on it, possibly even more. Parts for the heads, especially are very hard to come by. Arnie turned 87 this year. We are happy to have him attend so many events in person and want to make a good showing with his name on the car. When you stop in the pits talk to him about future plans, I am sure he will give you an ear full! See you there.

Event details

Thanks for posting the flyer. First I have seen of it. I delivered the engine this morning. To be installed this weekend. Had a few little snags that delayed delivery by a day. Should be all buttoned-up and ready to test fire next week.

Thanks for the reminder, should be a lot of fun with the chance to see Arnie.

We've decided to bring my car so instead of watching i get to drive :)

Let her rip Brian.

That's the way to do it!

I'll see what weather and my health allows but would like to get up there.

Good luck racing!

Looks like I will be there running exhibition also, I will be with my group, the Nostalgia Gassers.

Great looking car. Look forward to seeing that!!

Engine was fired-up this afternoon and checked for leaks and the timing set. Then run on nitro for exhaust temp checks, fuel leaks and final adjustments to clutch, transmission and engine. All looks good and we will be ready to go. Hope to see you there.

That's great! Good luck to you guys! Cordova BOP is always a great event.

Advance weather forecast looks lousy for Saturday, event day. There is a rain date for the race Sunday and the weather looks perfect!!. We will be ready to go either day. If your plans allow, expect to race on Sunday, most likely.

Thanks for update. We had other plans for Sunday so We will see you another time. At some point in future I do want to visit Cordova. Early summer 1972 was last time I was there!

Your car is friggin BADA$$
Love those older Pontiac's!!!!

Gassers are awesome

My dad and I are out due to the forecast :(

Thanks. Back to the weather maybe sooner to Saturday will see if they call it off and do it Sunday. May sit around Saturday and have a few cold beverages

We'll roll in Friday evening and stay thru Sunday if it rains.

Eric

Well at least according to facebook the event has been changed to sunday. Anyone need some 110? I will have an extra 5ga I bought for one of our gassers that wont be there sunday. 30 bucks

As much as I hate to say it, I hope they get some rain before the event. We were there for drag week and the area was sooo dry that the track was a huge dust bowl no matter where you were. Good luck to all who are going!

Rain date?
 

I haven't looked at Cordova site lately, did they have a rain date.? Our weather is calling for rain all day Saturday.

rain date is sunday the 8th

Come On Brian you can do it.

We're running Sunday. Still raining off and on here and supposed to get windy. Weather supposed to be perfect Sunday.
Had dinner with Arnie tonite....always a good time.

Eric

Just got done loading before the rain rolled into Chicagoland area

At least the car is getting a good wash and will dry on The road tomorrow morning

The weather looks good For tomorrow

any news yet?

We turned up the wick on Boss Bird. Launched like a monster. Best ever 60 ft and 1/8th mile. 3.88@192 mph.

Got squirrelly after the eighth and had to lift. Ran a 6.09 coasting.

Jetting stagger looks perfect...all plugs identical.

Eric

Great job guys!!! :)

Excellent! Great 1/8th time and MPH.

Tom V.

Great meeting you and watching your run!

Had a great time watching all the fun. Had to leave early so no news here but had a blast watching all that Indian power . I got to see the Boss Bird (what a Beast) run and Arnie on the tractor. Good Times.

What was your 60ft? How far into run did you lift?

Awesome!

Congrats on the times.
Almost a 5 just coasting.

:)