NJMP Member day May 22 or 23?

[John B]

I'm thinking about bringing my Caterham to NJMP for a member day either Sunday 5/22 or Monday 5/23 to shake off the cobwebs. 

Anyone else interested? Simon, Croc, Tom? 

[Croc]

Hi John

I am signed up both days but will be testing the Batmobile and Holden this weekend to make progress on their state of reliability - fuel flow in the Devil section for the Bimmer and general handling waywardness cure for the Holden.   Tom will be there  - not sure if if he is running yellow or orange?   I understand Simon is overseas and will not make it back in time. 

cheers

mike

[John B]

Crapola!!

I just picked my Caterham up out of storage and the safety harnesses are expired. 

I don't think NJMP gives any slack on harnesses as the State Police come and do occasional inspections. 

 

I'll order up a new set, but I'm out for Sunday

[John B]

Update: 

Pegasus Racing is sending a set for Saturday delivery.

I'm back in!

 

[yellowss7]

I’ll have Orange there.  Still on old tires but I did find a new supply and ordered two sets as I think Michelin is discontinuing their 13 inch slicks. 😡

[John B]

Update:

As Croc and Tom know, I left early Monday as my engine was running rough and I was down about 20mph on the front straight. I left hoping for a bad coil or crank trigger, but feared a ventilated piston.

I did a compression test today and got (1-4) 170, 210, 210, 210. That ruled out a holed piston, but left a lingering low compression issue that pointed to valves. I checked the valve lash and all were in spec (0.10"), which ruled out a bent or dropped valve. #1 cylinder was cold, not firing as indicated by a pyrometer on the header. I then checked spark and found no spark in #1, but 2,3 & 4 were good. Swapping coils around revealed it wasn't a bad coil as the #1 coil sparked on the #2 lead & the #2 coil was dead on the #1 lead. Closer inspection revealed a broken wire at the connector to the coil. That was a very good sign! I was still concerned about the low compression and my engine builder Paul Hasselgren suggested that driving with no spark in #1 washed the cylinder dry with unignited fuel and that I should put a little oil in #1 and re-run the compression test. Voila!! It shot well over 210 so I'm a happy camper and am now enjoying a celebratory beer!!

 

 

Edited May 24, 2022 by John B

[yellowss7]

Great news John!   I’m going to have an old fashioned to help you celebrate 🥃 Tom

[Croc]

That is a relief - I'd take that as good news.  Vibrations on our cars are a frequent cause of gremlins.   Cheers with a glass of red wine from me!

 

It was great to see everyone.  It was a successful weekend for me.  The CSL got down to a best of 1m34.9 on old tires so carved 4 seconds out of it with a LOT more time left in it once I sort the fueling issues in high G corners.  The Holden was not as scary as expected but definitely more oily.  Plus I came home with an expensive work list of items to fix on two cars.