NEWSLETTER GEAR CHATTER VOL 4 ISS 1 WEBSITE: VCCA-SPEEDSTERS.ORG. Established July 2012

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "NEWSLETTER GEAR CHATTER VOL 4 ISS 1 WEBSITE: VCCA-SPEEDSTERS.ORG. Established July 2012"

Bertram Flynn
5 years ago
Views:

I ll reserve seats for you at the seminar. The Speedster Spotlight in this issue is a 1925 Chevrolet roadster. It is not a speedster, but what s under the hood that makes this roadster exceptional.

1 NEWSLETTER Established July 2012 JANUARY 2016 GEAR CHATTER VOL 4 ISS 1 WEBSITE: VCCA-SPEEDSTERS.ORG The VCCA 55th Anniversary Meet in Lake Tahoe will be held August 7-12, On behalf of the Speedster Chapter, I will be presenting a seminar on speedsters. I look forward to meeting other speedster members. If you plan to attend please contact me beforehand. I ll reserve seats for you at the seminar. The Speedster Spotlight in this issue is a 1925 Chevrolet roadster. It is not a speedster, but what s under the hood that makes this roadster exceptional. I ll call it a Speedster in Disguise. As I learned from Ron Beam, tweaking the engine and driveline will yield pleasing performance advantages. After all, isn t that what a speedster is all about? Our Newsletter is being sent to Secrets of Speeds Society in exchange for their exceptional magazine. Secrets of Speed Society promotes vintage racing. Articles and parts offered are for Ford Model A & B and G28T engines. The German G28T engine is a development of the Model B engine which was produced in 1932/34. The connection with Secrets of Speed will help broaden our exposure in the speedster hobby and hopefully draw-in fellow Chevrolet speedster enthusiasts. Bi-Laws: We received 18 responses to our call for approval of the by law revisions. If you not yet voted, please Dave at: dave_penniman@yahoo.com indicating Approve or Reject. Miles to Go, Mark In This Issue: Gear Chatter: page 1 Speedster Spotlight: pages 2-7 Tech Tip: pages 8-10 Speedster Events: page 11

2 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 2 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER In the mid 1970 s we attended many of the tours with the Nor Cal VCCA. There were several four-cylinder cars that were regular attendees of the monthly tours. I drove a 1925 Sedan and often found myself chatting with the other four-cylinder owners. Fred Upshaw s name came up often. He was known for driving his 1925 roadster on the freeway at freeway speeds! He was also known to be a fearless driver. But perhaps Fred wasn t that fearless, he simply built a car that could go fast. Tom Meleo owns the car now and a few years ago I was able to look it over. What secrets did Fred incorporate into his car that made is such an icon in the VCCA community? This is what I learned: Upgrades: 1928 engine with domed pistons (undoubtedly the best motor) 3 port cylinder head (modified to 1.5:1 rocker arm ratio) Carter WA1-413S downdraft carburetor (WWII era 235 cu in commercial vehicles) Johnson overdrive 1928 Rear Brakes 1929 Wire Wheels

JANUARY 2016 PAGE 3 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER This 1925 Chevrolet Roadster was found in Orange County in 1968 by Fred Upshaw of Anaheim, California.

3 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 3 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER This 1925 Chevrolet Roadster was found in Orange County in 1968 by Fred Upshaw of Anaheim, California. Fred was a VCCA charter member with Membership # The first VCCA meeting was held in Fred's garage in Los Angeles. The car was in good condition when Fred got the car. He gave the car a cosmetic restoration prior to You may notice on the radiator the number Z 25. Fred had a neighbor who raced Z 28 Camaros. Fred, being a racer at heart, named his roadster Z 25. The VCCA had its First Anniversary Meet in 1971 in Indianapolis. Fred drove the roadster from Anaheim to Indianapolis. During the meet Fred was continually racing whoever was game, thinking they could beat a 1925 roadster; lots of fun. Fred passed on in I inherited the car that year. I did a complete restoration in The car is dark blue with black fenders. The wheels are 1929 accessory wheels for a 1929 sport coupe. The car is fun to drive and quite attractive with the yellow '29 wheels. Tom Meleo

JANUARY 2016 PAGE 4 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER Above Power plant for this peppy 1925 roadster is a 1928 Chevrolet fourcylinder motor

4 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 4 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER Above Power plant for this peppy 1925 roadster is a 1928 Chevrolet fourcylinder motor with highly desirable Oldsmobile three port cylinder head. These heads were standard on the model 43A Oldsmobile. Left Complete exhaust manifold set.

5 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 5 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER Down draft carburetor mounted on a custom aluminum intake manifold. The carburetor is a WWII era Carter used on 235 cu in six cylinder commercial vehicles. Electric fuel pump. Carter Carburetor Company in St. Louis, MO was established in 1909, and ceased operation in It was founded by William Carter, who started experimenting with automotive carburetors while running a successful bicycle shop. His first, cast brass carburetor could meter and deliver fuel more accurately than many competing units.

6 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 6 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER Johnson overdrive mounted between stock transmission and universal joint. Conversion requires shortening the drive shaft and torque tube. Overdrive unit was advertised as only six and one-half inches long over all. Speed Less Vibration 45 miles per hour at 35 mile engine speed Above Johnson overdrive in 1925 Roadster. Left ID plate on an original Johnson overdrive unit.

7 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 7 SPEEDSTER SPOTLIGHT: 1925 CHEVROLET ROADSTER

8 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 8 DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS: BY DEAN MELTZ Question: Will the oil pan troughs be flushed out if fed by a gear-type oil pump? I rigged up a test fixture to see how oil flows into the oil pan troughs at different pressures. Pics are below. Ron Beam and Mark Garcia (South Bay VCCA folks) joined me today for the tests. Design considerations for the test rig: 1. I already installed the new oil pump in my '28 engine (haven't buttoned it up yet), so I needed different way to simulate various oil pressures. I decided to use air pressure to drive the tests. This way, I could start and stop my air compressor at various pressures. 2. The '28 oil distributor that I used came out of a really yucky, sludged-up engine. I cleaned it as best I could, including blowing air through it, but I suspect it still had some junk in it. The first couple of tests today blew this stuff out, so the later tests are more valid. 3. I plugged up the holes that would go to the oil filter. My reasoning is that the worse case scenario would be an oil filter that is completely plugged. In real life, the oil filter line would relieve some of the pressure that goes to the connecting rod troughs. 4. I used a length of 2 inch pipe to provide the oil supply and pressure. I filled the pipe 2/3 with used motor oil (10-13W) and attached a air gun to the top. 5. I thought that I might need to disrupt (but not restrict) the flow into the troughs because of previous comments in this thread. I put a short, copper tube in one oil deflector. This tube had an upturned tab in it to create turbulence. As it turned out, my patent-pending turbulence generator was not needed. 6. Keep it simple. ;-) We ran tests at three different air pressures: 30 psi, 40 psi, and 60 psi. Also, we ran these test with and without stopping the oil coming out of the hole that would feed the center crank bearing. Opening and closing this oil flow did not affect the flow to the troughs.

JANUARY 2016 PAGE 9 DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS: BY DEAN MELTZ One comment about the 60 psi test. We really needed a larger reserve of oil because the supply tank (pipe) emptied quickly.

Then, just for a couple of seconds, you see the 'normal' flow of oil before the oil supply is used up and a blast of 60 psi air comes out.

9 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 9 DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS: BY DEAN MELTZ One comment about the 60 psi test. We really needed a larger reserve of oil because the supply tank (pipe) emptied quickly. The first couple of seconds of the video show an empty oil distributor with incoming pressure 'spraying' out an oil/air mixture. Then, just for a couple of seconds, you see the 'normal' flow of oil before the oil supply is used up and a blast of 60 psi air comes out. Conclusion: oil flowed nicely at all the various pressures and did not flush out the troughs. A pool of oil is always left for the connecting rod dippers to hit. Before I fire up my engine with the new pump, I will test the connecting rod dipper depth into the troughs using grease in the troughs to make sure that the dippers are dipping into the oil correctly. Pictures of the test rig courtesy of Ron Beam. Enjoy! Dean Addendum: Dean conducted another test using an actual gear pump. The complete thread may be found on the VCCA forum: topics/347760/1

JANUARY 2016 PAGE 10 TECH TIP: OIL PUMP AVAILABLE FROM BILLY POSSUM 1927-1928 Oil Pump (gear type). These pumps have a capacity many times that of the original vane pumps.

These pumps may require modification of the oil lines due to greatly increased oil flow.

Replaces p/n 360954 http://www.billypossum.com/c&p_catalog/c&p_catalog_rev_031225.htm 1927-1934 Oil Pump Screen & Cover Assembly.

10 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 10 TECH TIP: OIL PUMP AVAILABLE FROM BILLY POSSUM Oil Pump (gear type). These pumps have a capacity many times that of the original vane pumps. This is an exact duplicate of the gear pump which General Motors offered in the 1940 s for the early 6 cylinder engines. These pumps may require modification of the oil lines due to greatly increased oil flow. The installation of a Billy Possum oil screen & cover assembly is also required (not included, see Oil Pump Screen & Cover Assembly below). Replaces p/n Oil Pump Screen & Cover Assembly. The investment cast covers are designed to allow these assemblies to be used with all models of the Original Billy Possum Brand gear type oil pumps, including the 4 cylinder pumps, where the smaller engine pan precludes the use of the original type screen cover. The screen and associated hardware are exact duplicates to the originals. p/n C&P838458, C&P838457, , & associated hardware

JANUARY 2016 PAGE 11 SPEEDSTERS EVENTS: 2016 June 12: 47th Annual Endurance Run, Santa Clara, CA (www.scvmtfc.

July 16 & 17: Annual Hot 100, Longview, Washington. August 13: Daun s Run (location to be announced) Sept.

11 JANUARY 2016 PAGE 11 SPEEDSTERS EVENTS: 2016 June 12: 47th Annual Endurance Run, Santa Clara, CA ( NWVS Schedule of Events ( May 30: Labor Day Event (details forthcoming). July 16 & 17: Annual Hot 100, Longview, Washington. August 13: Daun s Run (location to be announced) Sept. 3 & 4: 34th Annual Northwest Classic 200 Mile Endurance Run, Chehalis, Washington. Yapp Studios, Inc. is the umbrella corporation. Yapp is the founder of the Secrets Of Speed Society, a society of several thousand individuals who enjoy vintage racing. The Society is internationally acclaimed and has won numerous awards for its journal Secrets, Vintage Speed & Sport, Magazine.

PAGE 12 1914-1928 Mission Statement The purpose of the Chapter is to unite owners of Chevrolet Four-Cylinder Speedsters, 1914-1928 and to share construction knowledge and experience.

12 PAGE Mission Statement The purpose of the Chapter is to unite owners of Chevrolet Four-Cylinder Speedsters, and to share construction knowledge and experience. All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it is vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men for they act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence Chevrolet Four-Cylinder Speedsters, a Non-Geographic Region of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America. Membership is limited to VCCA members. Join online at: VCCA.org Chapter Membership: $15/yr. Secretary & Treasurer: Dave Penniman 4457 Rosemary Parkway, Columbus OH dave_penniman@yahoo.com Newsletter is published Quarterly in electronic format only. January, April, July, October Technical Advisors Body and Chassis * Art Reichlin: * David Penniman: dave_penniman@yahoo.com * Dave Cufr: dcufr@roadrunner.com Engine * Ron Beam: rbeam28@gmail.com Editor * Mark Garcia: speedsters14to28@yahoo.com

NEWSLETTER GEAR CHATTER. Established July 2012 VOL 3 ISS 2

NEWSLETTER GEAR CHATTER. Established July 2012 VOL 3 ISS 2 NEWSLETTER Established July 2012 APRIL 2015 VOL 3 ISS 2 GEAR CHATTER News of our existence is slowing filtering outside the VCCA. Example: The local Model T club was contacted by Tim Bakman looking for