Dodged a bullet

[txhokie4life]

Well actually a nut.

In may of last year I picked up my RSR. It came as a chassis and
a half dozen or more Rubbermaid boxes.



I disassembled what was left of the original engine and decided it would be quicker
and easier to just start with a street engine. Picked up a 1990, 3.6
that needed a serious valve stem replacement and top end work.

I spent the summer performing my first ever solo engine rebuild. (at least the top 1/2).
I also had to debug and resurrect/retrofit the RSR Motec system.

Packed it into my Toter and had it tuned up locally -- Pulled 251hp to the wheels. :-)



On my first track event after having rebuilt and restored my RSR replica, and driven
it for the first time ever, I awoke the second day to a loud knocking
noise in the engine, drivers side -- seemed to be #3.



I hadn't heard it inside the car the day before -- but as that was my first
time on the track with the car -- and it's loud as crap in general, hard to say from
within the cockpit if it was already making noise at end of day or not. Lesson one,
listen to the car after a good track day from inside and out!

Got home and started the diagnosis.

I had pretty good compression ratios across the board.

175, 210, 180, 190, 200, 200.
all leakdown < 8%.

Not bad for a 120K mile engine that I just did the top end on.

Nothing in the oil filter. Hmm, maybe I did a mis-shift and busted a rocker arm.

Pulled the valve covers. Found #1 intake a little out of spec from an adjustment
point of view. but nothing that would indicate this level of noise.

Then we pulled the lower valve cover.



Wow -- #1 exhaust valve adjust nut had backed out -- and clearly the rocker
had been free to bang away



Found the nut, holy cow --

I always say life is about tuition, you just hope you don't pay too much.
The engine gods must have been happy with my efforts that day
as they gave me a huge hall pass.

We inspected the rocker, the cams, and anything else we could see.
Not a scratch or scuff anywhere. The rocker knocking appears
to have been just audible and the nut found the safest place
in the engine in a hurry!

Obviously I don't remember NOT tightening down that nut on the set screw,
but clearly blames on me.

Look forward to redoing the valve adjustments, -- triple checking the nuts -- buttoning
things back up -- firing her up (and rechecking the compression) and
getting back out to the track!

a very humbled and happy RSR owner,

Mike

[ninesixfour]

Wow you certainly did dodge a bullet.

[87 930]

Mike, We'll call you..."Lucky".

[willtel]

What an incredible picture! I hope you bought a lotto ticket that day.

[greenspeed]

well done in spotting it.
I have been fond of a little dab of paint on lock nuts etc to be sure that I have tightened them.
That iconic profile of the rear end looks great by the way!

[porterdog]

Wow.

[KTL]

That's the reason right there I want my sump plate (3.0L case) to have a drain plug with a magnet on it. Congrats on the luck!

BTW what size are your wheels. Just curious what sizes the Goodyears are.

[txhokie4life]

Glad it was the exhaust rocker as gravity works.
Had it been an intake rocker -- it might have found its way into the chamber.

10.5" fronts, 13" Rears. 16" rims.

After these tires go I'll be moving to 12" as the Indy series runs them and you can get scrubs
for a reasonable price. Have a set at the shop waiting to be mounted.

Mike

[356RS]

Great story Mike and thanks for sharing.

[txhokie4life]

Well I believe you have to share the good with the bad --- and since this appears
to have a happy ending -- with only my pride taking the fall --

I'm ok with that!

m