Oil Pan Leak

My plan was to make big progress on the belly pan this weekend but an oil pan leak got in the way of that plan.  I had read where a couple of other racers had oil leaks from their oil pans and someone suggested to put oil in the engine prior to installing it to make sure that the oil plan didn't leak.  I put 4 quarts in the engine on Christmas Eve and checked it on the day after Christmas.  I should have checked it on Christmas day!!  There was a lot of oil underneath the engine and it turns out that most of it was coming from a loos plastic plug but there also was a leak from the oil pan at the front of the engine. 

I think the issue was that I didn't use enough silicone and I also did some research on the internet and there was a recomendation to not use the Ultra Blue silicone (which was what I used) and to use the Ultra Black.  So I bought some Ultra Black and put a little more on oil pan.  Of course this was after I took off the pressure plate, flywheel, belts, etc.  I also put the engine back on the engine stand so that I could turn it upside down -- glad I didn't return the engine stand to my friend!!  Removing the old silicone was again and pain in the neck.  But I got it all reassembled and I'm glad I found the problem before the engine was installed in the car!

I did get a start on the oil pan but I haven't gotten very far along so as long as the oil pan doesn't cause me anymore problems.  I have got three days to work on the car next weekend!

Chassis Conversion Part II

Well, the car is back home -- just in time for Christmas.  Here are some more pics of the mods made by Eric Langbein.

Due to the size of the rivet holes in the frame, Eric and I decided to have him weld strips on the inside of the frame.  I will install 5/32" rivets in the new strips as well as in between the existing holes in the chassis when attaching the belly pan.



I also had Eric modify the shift linkage to get it closer to the frame and away from my elbow.  That was the only thing that felt uncomfortable to me when I sat in the car.

Now that the car was home, the plan was to start on the belly pan but before I could do that, I needed to paint the new parts of the frame.  I probably should have had the frame sand blasted and painted but I decided to save a little bit of time and money and do it myself.  Here is a pic of the frame before painting.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a pic of the painted frame but there will be plenty of pics of other things that will include the frame to follow!



Chassis Conversion Part 1

Eric Langbein sent me some pics of the chassis conversion -- it is looking GREAT!!

The car should be back home soon!