Inline-four crankshaft

[Jack Gifford]

Major bump-in-the-road. Lakester's refusal to fire up is due to massive valve train destruction. Repair will be a lengthy task- both cams, 3 roller followers & guides, 3 ball stud adjusters- these are all custom-from-billet pieces.

A goofy thought... since cylinders 2 and 3 are fine, maybe head to Loring with a two-cylinder (H/BFL instead F/BFL). Which would waste more power in the dead cylinders- valves fastened closed? Or exhaust valves fastened open and empty sparkplug holes?

[Koncretekid]

Bob weights on 1 & 4?  Definitely not open valves due to pumping losses.  Valves closed, you still have friction losses.

There is a Canadian competitor from Quebec, G. Gagne I believe, who ran a blown fuel Yamaha 750 on two cylinders to an AMA 350 MBF record in 2013.  He is very approachable (and speaks perfect English) if you can get a hold of him.

Tom

[jacksoni]

My first year with my streamliner as I had designed and built and had no idea how would drive wanted to slow from the 200mph potential (I thought) I built the 2L 4 cyl as a 1L 2 cyl first. Naturally aspirated on gas. Bob weights on two throws, shortened valves and no buckets on the DOHC head so the valves stayed closed. It ran. The track was short due to wet (3mile) and the heavy car with small motor and gearing for 200+ it was slow...... Managed 145mph in second gear which was amazingly enough a record at the time. We took apart, put the other two pistons in, fixed valve train and set G class record at 193. Third gear. Wanted that 200#. We said needed more gear, went to local yard, pulled a ring and pinion (back when Wendover had a junk yard) and were in the process of changing the diff when it rained again. Oh Well.

Anyway, it's possible Jack. Sorry to hear of the damage. Do you have any idea what caused it?

[Stainless1]

Getting any oil up there Jack?  How much sparkle in the filter?

[ronnieroadster]

I recall Jessel reduced cylinders for a class change at Speedweek. Wayne removed the push rods then vented cylinder by spark plug hole placing a filter on the end of the hose. Record accomplished.

[Stan Back]

I'd be 'fraid of grenading the rest of the motor unless I knew exactly what first happened and why.

[JR'S PAPA]

George Fields went over 300 on 3 cylinders in his hemi. Crazy!

[Jack Gifford]

... Bob weights on 1 & 4?...

Engine would need to come out (after pulling almost all other systems out) to remove 1 & 4 rods and pistons; can't do that before Loring event.

[Jack Gifford]

... Getting any oil up there Jack?  How much sparkle in the filter?...

I suspect not quite enough oil. During my spin-testing 15 PSI was sufficient. But in the "real world" (oil not always fresh, diluted with alcohol, etc.) I probably should have run more pressure. I say "not quite" because only 3 of 8 followers failed- and only after dyno & test stand time + 6 dragstrip runs + 3 mile runs.
There was almost no "sparkling" debris. It appears that the incident began as the 3 follower rollers (on the cam lobes) quit turning and turned blue with heat, then deformed rather than disintegrating. The System-1 filter was clean.

[Jack Gifford]

I'll have a go at the 2-cylinder deal- at least to see if it runs worth a darn. I've decided that the safest deal for the dead cylinders is to block the intake valves closed, with the springs holding the exhausts closed (at least most of the time), and non-powered sparkplugs in place.
Choosing a starting point for fuel flow will be a challenge.

[Jack Gifford]

That idea failed quickly. 12:1 compression with valves not opening made the starter unhappy...

[ronnieroadster]

That idea failed quickly. 12:1 compression with valves not opening made the starter unhappy...

  Jack you need to vent the cylinder volume to atmosphere having the valves always closed and a spark plug in the head there's no way that would work which of course you determined.   Its a simple fix remove the spark plug then just vent the cylinder use a hose with a filter on the end. Works every fine  time.

[Jack Gifford]

Fate is strange. We just finished services and burial of my hundred year old mother-in-law. My wife was her only child, so it's been quite stressful. If the lakester engine had been healthy I would have wanted to be in Maine by now.
Anyhow... I'll shoot for going racing in 2022 with a freshened engine.

[Stainless1]

Our condolences for your family's loss Jack...

[desotoman]

Jack,
Sorry to hear about your loss, my condolences to you and your wife.

Fate is strange.

Anyhow... I'll shoot for going racing in 2022 with a freshened engine.

Yes, fate is strange indeed. This twist gives you time to freshen the engine, which may have avoided further damage if run in its current condition. I wish you the best.

Tom G.