Brian
Sorry about the engine woes but very interested in your reunion story -
why don't you make yourself famous and do an article for Victory Lane or
something!
Derek
Brian Evans wrote:
>
> Tis indeed off-season, or very nearly - our last regional event is this
> weekend. For me, the off-season began two weeks ago when the Martin engine
> ate a 10mm bolt that previously fastened the air cleaner to the carb. I
> suspect, based on the damage, or relative lack thereof, that it initially
> swallowed the lock washer, ran for some time with that inside the chamber,
> and then tried to do the same with the bolt, which got caught at the intake
> valve and didn't actually make it into the chamber. Wiped out one of the
> intake valves and it's seat, but the head shop says no sweat, just money, so
> it will live again;) Piston top and chamber now looks like a cross between
> suede and velour, bore walls are completely unharmed, and I now have a
> perfect excuse to raise the compression ratio from 10.5:1 to 12:1 or so.
> Damage would have been much worse had the inch long bolt actually got inside
> the chamber, I think...
>
> Merlyn is now stripped down, about to go off the the frame restorer to have
> a tube replaced (lifting strap broke, car fell onto a stand, bent lower
> frame tube, life sucks but could be worse - if the stand hadn't been there,
> far worse damage would have occurred, and I've learned to competely ignore
> load ratings on lifting straps on the pessimistic side rather than the
> optimistic side).
>
> All in all, I'm pleased with the season. The problem with the engine gave
> me my first mechanical DNF in three seasons, so I was probably due. The
> Merlyn is a blast to drive and shows some potential for actual speed, so I'm
> happy about that. I was amazed at the reaction bringing the car back out
> had, to be honest. The car originally ran in our region 30 years ago. The
> original owner was brought to Mosport (as a birthday surprise, no less) to
> see the car run for the first time since about 1972, when it burned while he
> was driving it at the same track, and the emotions were pretty high. I met
> a number of people who knew the car them, who had worked for the importer
> and remembered bringing in the car, who had worked for Merlyn (CRD) in
> England and worked building the original aluminium body that the molds were
> taken from, and many other such stories. Nice...
>
> Cheers, Brian
>
> BTW, I'd like the dope on the jefferson...I rather fancy a road trip early
> in the year, I think!
>
> At 09:06 AM 10/2/98 -0400, you wrote:
> >Friends,
> > I haven't heard much lately from you guys. We had a cold snap this
> >morning, and it made me realize that you guys are probably putting things
> >away for the winter. To keep the juices flowing, I thought I'd ask about
> >advance planning for the Festival next year. Any idea about featured Marque
> >or other ideas? I've also been wanting to go to Mt. Tremblant. Any
> >thinking about a VARAC event there next season. How about planning a mass
> >VARAC excursion to the Jefferson 500 next spring. I live an hour from the
> >track and would like to host a blowout for you guys. Lastly, perhaps you
> >could consider a winter trip to Sebring/?? As I understand it from SVRA,
> >they won't be going to Homestead this year, so maybe it will be a
> >Sebring/Palm Beach double weekend this year.
> > Anyway, food for thought. Take care!
> >Vaughn
> >P.S. Here is a photo of a wood-bodied special that was for sale at Lime Rock
> >for $800. I don't think it sold. I almost bought it for Mike, but didn't
> >have a way to get it home. It had a 4 cylinder Ford engine mated to a
> >mini-minor transaxle in the rear. The rear-uprights were castings, and the
> >car included the molds.
> >
> > <<WierdCar.JPG>>
> >
> >
> >Attachment Converted: D:\HOME\eudora\WierdCar.JPG
> >
> Brian Evans
> Director, Carrier Sales
> UUNET Worldcom
> (416) 216 5111
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