My new purchase (550).. need help with Peterson Oiling system & motor
 

I just purchased this car about a month ago. It is a 550 Spyder Tribute. Here are the details that I know...

- 2.4 litre twin plug early 70's motor
- 901 trans
- Peterson Oiling system with 400 series inline filter
- Built by Tom at Thunder Ranch.. This is his 2nd (number 2 chassis) 6 cylinder kit.
- finished by Ed and his son Sean down in San Diego area. The previous owner is the one who had all the motor work done...
- Weber 40's

Car was built about 5 years ago and wasn't finished until about 2.5 years ago. In 2009, it was on the cover of Kit Car Magazine. This is what I need help with... #3 is the most important if anyone can help me dig up the answer. Feel free to pass this along to anyone that you know that may be able to identify the motor and remember building it. I can get the guys name that did have the motor built but don't know it at this time.

1) How do I service the 400 series inline filter? is it just a metal cartridge that I can clean with brake cleaner and reinstall? It is just behind the tire in the picture. It looks like a large red bull can in size.
2) How do I know what capacity of oil this car should take? The tank is pretty large
3) I am trying to find out where this motor was built. I was told it was done by a guy/company up in the San Fran area but have no idea. I am trying to find out what cams are in the car and what compression it is at without diving into the motor too far.

Here are a couple pics. We are estimating around 200-220HP and the car weighs 1,400 lbs. I know most of you on this forum so I figured this would be a good place to start. Thanks for any help you can offer.


At RennSport Reunion:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1319311581.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1319311841.jpg

The Engine. You can see the Peterson Oil tank on the back left side. This was installed later by a company down in San Diego area.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1319311882.jpg

Crappy Interior pic. I already have added a 917 Balsa wood shift nob to match the steering wheel.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1319311940.jpg

What a great looking car:) I really like how the rear locks in place
On kits is this usual? I think i have seen the rear fastened with straps?

You should be able to find out the capacity of the Peterson oil tank through any hot rod company like Jegs, Pegasus Racing, etc. They can probably help you out on the filter as well. Additionally, I'm betting an email to Peterson might help. Beautiful car. With that power to weight ratio she must be a hoot.

prrrrrreeeeetttttty coool

How does it handle?l

Super cool car, and great color scheme. I'd love to have one of those.

Peterson and the similar System One tubular oil filters with wrench flats and AN fittings on each end uncrew with 2 wrenches. Big Crescent Wrenches snugged down on the flats work good or open ends.

Inside is a cleanable corrugated stainless steel mesh filter element. They come in different micron filtering ratings.
You should be able to clean it, the spring if it has one and the orings in mineral spirits and compressed air or brake clean and reuse it.

The Peterson website would have all the info.

edit: website link http://www.petersonfluidsys.com/filter_400.html

Bryan...

You are a sick man.. in a good way! I remember your 930 and the work you put into it.. sold it, and moved on to others. Now this, Congrats!

I remember this car, and an article or a posting somewhere about its build... wish I could recall where.

Anyway, very cool and enjoy that "little bastard. "

Paul

The peterson oil tanks on most systems also separate in half for internal cleaning. On the inside of just about all of them is an air/oil separator baffle. The oil level should be below that.

The part number stamped into the tank will tell you the overal capacity though.

Came back in to say that's a really good looking car! :)

Thanks for all the compliments and advice. I was able to disassemble the 400 series oil tank and clean with brake cleaner and compressed air. There was some particles in there but nothing metal... thank god.

Paul (on boost), this car was featured on the cover of Kit Car Magazine in 2009 when it was finished. They did a huge spread on the car and another 356. 3 copies of the magazine came with the car.

Just have to find out who build this motor.... that will be my next step.

Question, any easy quick way to figure out what cam I have and what compression the motor has without tearing down too much?

Thx,
Bryan