Last week the Missile blew a freeze plug and lost most of the coolant. Two blown pistons and one head destroyed. The engine was removed and torn down Friday morning, then taken to Hutchinson in SLC for reboring. Another set of pistons were machined at Steve Cole's shop - he had a set of .060" over - and they were overnighted to Wide Open Diesel in SLC for Sat. morning pickup. Curtis, Volker, and Ric spend all day Saturday putting the engine together using news heads off another engine. Thanks to Zane at Wide Open for the use of his immaculate facility and tools. Sunday the engine was reinstalled and everything buttoned up on Monday. The car ran an easy breakin at something like 250-275, I don't remember. Tuesday Curtis gave it a little more and did a two way ave. of 241 for a new record. Traction was marginal. Wed. was spent working on the car. This morning both batteries were replaced and we got to the line about 9:30. Starting the engine, 1st gear engaged immediately and killed the engine. Second time, same thing. Back in the pits......a destroyed throwout bearing, demolished clutch, and a driveshaft twisted about 180*. A new driveshaft is on it's way back here from Salt Lake City. Also 1/2" steel place to machine into a solid spacer in place of the clutch. If all goes well, we should be running tomorrow Friday.
The Missile has tons of power. Traction is a problem and Curtis has had to work the throttle to keep it from breaking loose. That 351 run wasn't near full throttle. The next higher .775 gears are now in the car.
Speed Demon went 434 and broke. One bad head was fixed and they ran this morning on 7-1/2 cylinders, pulled the chute before entering the timers. The jet bike had a cowling fire but will ok to run again this afternoon. The BUB motorcyle went 366 on it's 1st run and was preparing for the return when I left for town. The Hydrogen streamliner did a 299.9 - something ave. yesterday. They'll break 300 today or tomorrow. The snowmobile went 210 or 212.
Mike L.......Volker, Jim and I hit colored golf balls on the salt this afternoon. Seldom Seen Jim posted it on landracing.com.