Not much has been said about this since this problem has been around for quite a while - we have been having an issue with valve float for about the last year. It's been affecting the car and has been gradually getting worse. The first time we really were affected by this was as early as the San Diego Tour back in March/April time frame. Going uphill at Qualcomm in third gear because you can't use second is really SLOW!
Up until recently, the problem didn't happen until the mid to high 7000 RPM range. However, at the last PCA event which kept us in the higher end of the RPM range, the problem was very apparent now at 7000 RPM. Much lower in the RPM range.
With 3 weeks between events, it was now or never. We flipped the switch and took the car apart to get it worked on. With everything that goes on in the ST world, we made sure to get measurements of everything in case we ever get challenged about the work that was done.
Anyhow, there were some delays in getting the car ready, nothing major, but Jason worked really really hard to get the car ready with Jon's help. The car showed up for our event with the car in one piece and running quite well.
It was just nice to be in the car again after 3 weeks. We were running tires from Nationals and had to take the OPR off the tires. This resulted in some slippery runs at first, but the car settled down as the tires cleaned up.
Jason ended up like Sebastian with a ton of re-runs (without looking for them). As a result, I ended up taking my second run about the time most were finishing their third runs. My second run put me in first place by 0.055 with two runs to go. I'm expecting Will to go faster and try to pass me, but he doesn't.
Jason and I talk about the course and we figure out a couple of places where we want to try doing something differently. It works! By the time I finish my fourth run, I've put a total of 6/10 on Will and the car appears to be working well and NOT using any oil. Woo hoo!
A very big thanks to John Edwards of Costa Mesa R&D Automotive Machine Shop for doing the head work and making sure that we stay in spec.
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2 comments:
Do you still have the brake light you used to use for the camera? I liked seeing the differences in braking between the two of you.
Haha, yeah. Right now, we don't have one. We had some issues with it working consistently without affecting other electrical systems in the car. For now, we don't have one. Sorry.
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