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.