Hello again listers!
On Friday I posted a message with questions concerning the machine shop
evaluation of the core parts from TS15848E. I posted that note from my
school account so I have not seen the direct replies yet (I subscribe to the
digest from an account at school and from another account at home.) On
Saturday I went back to the machine shop to collect my parts and there was
more bad news. On inspecting my cylinder head by sprinkling it with metal
dust and applying a magnet, a substantial crack became visible between
cylinders #2 and #3. The cracks have grown about one half inch up into
both bolt holes where the center stud bolts come through the head. They are
on the cylinder side of the bolt hole and go all the way through to the
central water passage. It would probably be only a matter of time before
the cracks would extend all the way through the edge of the bolt hole and
would then allow coolant to mix with the oil in the rocker chamber.
It looks like I need a replacement engine. TRF has complete rebuilt engines
in their winter sale flyer for about $2700. That is a bit more change than
I have in my pocket now so I may have to enjoy being a spectator at some of
the events this year. I have also thought of taking my losses and putting my
car on the market as a good (complete) parts car. I would then shop for a
new ride, something affordable, something that is running and possibly a bit
newer than a TR2. Anybody want to strike a deal? When I bought this car on
an impulse whim two years ago this July, I may have got in a bit over my
head. I still do like this old growler!
Today I did attend a planning meeting for the Champagne British Car
Festival. (I have volunteered to do the auction call for a "fun" auction as
part of the kickoff dinner.) The event is slated for Champaign/Urbana
Illinois over Memorial Day. It is generally a great event and the theme for
this year is "2001: A Space Oddity." The HAL 9000 computer of book and movie
fame was "born" in the Computer Science Department of the University of
Illinois in Urbana/Champaign in 1992. The event theme is open to all
"space" related material, real and or fictional and not just the
Kubrick/Clark classic. The CBCF crowd has a kickoff theme dinner on Friday
night with casino games, a DJ with space theme music, and other fun things.
You just cannot imagine the extent of the costumes that these folks can
create. The costumes get a second use on Saturday night for the pub crawl.
The host hotel ferries the party goers (costumed and otherwise) from pub to
pub in a London double decker bus. Saturday also includes a leisure rally
through the local prairie with a prepared box lunch picnic along the way.
(For a few years they did a "high tea" at a mansion which included a guest
speaker.) They also have a theme based funkahana on Saturday morning. If
weather does not cooperate the funkhana moves indoors as an on foot event in
the mall. The host hotel, Jumer's Castle Lodge, connects to a small
shopping mall. There is also a walking rally that is lots of fun which
takes participants through and around the Jumers complex and the attached
mall. The show is on Sunday which leaves the Monday holiday for travel and
or recovery. In recent years there has not been a TSD rally and there is no
autocross. There are numerous quality eating and entertainment
establishments in Urbana/Champaign and (Jumers is rather special on its own
merits) some are within a block or two of the Jumers hotel. There is ample
parking at the hotel (reserved for participants - with security) and
immediately across the street is a municipal parking garage (free on week
ends) which can provide cover for a limited number of cars on the lower
level. This will be the tenth year for the event and obviously, by what I
have said, I do recommend it.
An information and registration web site for the event WILL BE UPDATED for
this year's event within a week or so. The address is:
http://www.prairienet.org/cbcf/main.html
Again, this link is NOT active right now, but it will be updated within the
next week or two. I will post a new note when it is up and running.
Cheers!
Rob Blubaugh
TR2 #TS7690 - built with pride in Coventry, England, UK - 18 August 1955 -
now in need of a power plant transplant!
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