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Re: "Oil Pressure" & "old" overheating problem

To: "Robert E. Shlafer" <PilotRob@webtv.net>
Subject: Re: "Oil Pressure" & "old" overheating problem
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 19:28:07 -0700
Cc: Ankitterer@aol.com, spridgets@autox.team.net
References: <25810-3BB28600-1121@storefull-228.iap.bryant.webtv.net>
Bob,
     The original standard size pistons (actually first rebuild for this 
engine) that
were removed were 3 ring with one oil ring all above the wrist pin.  They were 
the
split skirt aluminum and numbered.  Just like it came from the factory.  
Because the
bottom of the cylinder walls were ovalled out, I had to bore it .030 oversize.  
I
bought AE 948 .030 oversize pistons from Moss for the rebuild.  When they 
arrived
they did not look like my old pistons.  They were solid skirt and had TWO oil 
rings.
One ring was above the wrist pin and one was below.  We determined at the time 
that
these pistons were for a different application than the Sprite. (948 not 
exclusive to
the Sprite)  We used them anyway because i got a good price on them and had an 
extra
row added to the radiator core replacement in hopes of providing the extra 
cooling
required because of the extra ring.
Mike MacLean Supercharged 60 Sprite

"Robert E. Shlafer" wrote:

> Annice-
>
> Hmmm! Did your Frog have the 5 ring
> pistons, I wonder?
>
> Cap'n. Bob
>     '61 :{)
>
>   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: "Oil Pressure" & "old" overheating problem
> Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 14:53:20 -0700
> From: Mike MacLean <macleans@earthlink.net>
> To: Ankitterer@aol.com
> CC: PilotRob@webtv.net, spridgets@autox.team.net
> References: <ea.1b695354.28e39b6c@aol.com>
>
> Annice, Bob,
>      I envy your performance with your Judson in hot weather.  My problem is
> different.  If I keep moving "in town" I'm O.K. water temp wise.  It is when 
>I am
> on the freeway at extended high speeds that the temp continues to rise until 
>it
> reaches the 212F mark and I have to pull off and let it cool down for 15 
>minutes
> or so to continue on.  I am obviously generating a lot of heat under the 
>bonnet
> that is not being carried away with air flow through the engine compartment or
> the radiator fast enough.  This may be a combination of two things; the
> supercharger itself radiating heat under the bonnet and the fact that the 
>pistons
> that were replaced during the rebuild have an extra oil scraper below the 
>wrist
> pin causing added friction in the cylinder walls.  This is just too much for 
>the
> radiator to cope with during high ambient temperatures.  This will probably 
>not
> be solved during summer months until the pistons are changed to the correct 3
> ring type plus more air is allowed to flow from the engine compartment.
> Mike MacLean Supercharged 60 Sprite
>
> Ankitterer@aol.com wrote:
>
> > In a message dated 9/26/01 11:06:48 AM, clabaw@jpl.nasa.gov writes:
> >
> > << At 08:05 PM 9/25/01 -0400, Robert E. Shlafer wrote:
> > >
> > >Mike, Sprites were never intended for
> > >American running conditions, even as they
> > >were back in '58, and were definitely not
> > >designed to run in hot climates; there is >>
> >
> > Cap'n Bob:  This seems to be "written in stone" now and our experience in 
>the
> > '60's proves otherwise.  Now the intent may be questionable, but the fact is
> > that I drove MY new Bugeye stock between San Diego and Yuma (summer air
> > temperature 120 degrees) regularly without overheating incidents.  The only
> > time I was ever concerned about the Sprite overheating back in those days 
>was
> > near a Military fort where Bob was serving as  a reservist and the air temp
> > was 105.  The road was so bad I couldn't drive over about 40, which  barely
> > kept the engine below boiling.  Obviously, we were using  60's oil and high
> > octane gasoline (at 30 cents a gallon).
> >
> > Bob had the Judson installed in HIS car in 1960 and took it on a 3800 road
> > trip into Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona and back to
> > California.  Despite 100 degree weather, the car performed beautifully.  Of
> > course in all of this, the sunburns were legendary.  I had a  lovely tan
> > right around a cross-your-heart bra and through a blouse.
> >
> > So the next time someone tells you that these cars weren't intended for U.S.
> > driving conditions, tell them that may be, but they performed admirably
> > anyway.  For a couple of years it was the only car we had.
> >
> > Annice & Bob
> > 1960 Bugeye (Mk. IV in disguise)
> > 1966 Sprite Mk. III (Still in Boxes)



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