FlatRacer, aka BarrelBack
10-08-2003, 08:57 PM
Okay, so I finally got the engine built, installed and ready to fire.
A little background:
Between getting married, having a son, and everything else that living a "normal" life requires, I haven't had much time, money or enthusiasm to spend on the raceboat. But, I still give it time and money when I have some to spare, so progress is slow, but steady.
Flashback to 2000:
I had completed a 3-year build on a 468" Kinsler injected Chevy for the boat to run in the CanAm class. I was using a pair of ported Chevy heads that I'd bought from a Dragboat racer friend who had moved up to a class that allowed aftermarket heads.
Dragged the boat up to Valleyfield, Quebec only to discover a bent exhaust valve. The motor ran fine dry on the trailer, but bent a valve when I put the hose to it. Turns out, there was a crack in the valve guide boss that was letting water leak into the combustion chamber and spray onto the valve,... ergo, bent valve.
Fine. Brought the head to my machinist to fix it. Put in a new valve guide boss, etc. Fixed.
Took it to the next race in Ville Marie, Quebec. Ran the first heat like a scalded cat. Next day, ran great for three laps and died on the fourth. Turns out, the pill I got from Kinsler that was supposed to make it run nice and fat, leaned it out and holed three pistons. So much for expert advice. Back to square one.
Fast foward to Sunday, Oct 5th, 2003:
After another three years of working on it when I could afford to, the latest incarnation of the engine was done and in the boat. No more fuel injection; I'm back to the single 4bbl 427 (Super Stock class) engine.
Since it has a solid cam, It needed to be run for 15 min. to break in the cam, change the oil, re-adjust the valve lash, and it's good to go.
After 5 minutes of running, it bent another exhaust valve! The same valve in the same head that bent before! The one that was supposedly fixed! ****!!!
My god, I am heartbroken and disgusted! I'd sell the goddamned thing, but I just can't let my bad luck beat me. The boat is such a beautiful piece of art, and the ride at speed is such an indescribable rush, that I just can't give it up.
I don't smoke, drink, gamble, or do drugs, but this raceboat thing really is my addiction. I love it. I hate it. It continually bites me in the ass, but I can't leave it alone.
FR :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
http://www.donzi.net/photos/Valleyfield.jpg
A little background:
Between getting married, having a son, and everything else that living a "normal" life requires, I haven't had much time, money or enthusiasm to spend on the raceboat. But, I still give it time and money when I have some to spare, so progress is slow, but steady.
Flashback to 2000:
I had completed a 3-year build on a 468" Kinsler injected Chevy for the boat to run in the CanAm class. I was using a pair of ported Chevy heads that I'd bought from a Dragboat racer friend who had moved up to a class that allowed aftermarket heads.
Dragged the boat up to Valleyfield, Quebec only to discover a bent exhaust valve. The motor ran fine dry on the trailer, but bent a valve when I put the hose to it. Turns out, there was a crack in the valve guide boss that was letting water leak into the combustion chamber and spray onto the valve,... ergo, bent valve.
Fine. Brought the head to my machinist to fix it. Put in a new valve guide boss, etc. Fixed.
Took it to the next race in Ville Marie, Quebec. Ran the first heat like a scalded cat. Next day, ran great for three laps and died on the fourth. Turns out, the pill I got from Kinsler that was supposed to make it run nice and fat, leaned it out and holed three pistons. So much for expert advice. Back to square one.
Fast foward to Sunday, Oct 5th, 2003:
After another three years of working on it when I could afford to, the latest incarnation of the engine was done and in the boat. No more fuel injection; I'm back to the single 4bbl 427 (Super Stock class) engine.
Since it has a solid cam, It needed to be run for 15 min. to break in the cam, change the oil, re-adjust the valve lash, and it's good to go.
After 5 minutes of running, it bent another exhaust valve! The same valve in the same head that bent before! The one that was supposedly fixed! ****!!!
My god, I am heartbroken and disgusted! I'd sell the goddamned thing, but I just can't let my bad luck beat me. The boat is such a beautiful piece of art, and the ride at speed is such an indescribable rush, that I just can't give it up.
I don't smoke, drink, gamble, or do drugs, but this raceboat thing really is my addiction. I love it. I hate it. It continually bites me in the ass, but I can't leave it alone.
FR :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
http://www.donzi.net/photos/Valleyfield.jpg