The Great Bronco Engine Transplant-Phase III- Holley, Mr. Edelbrock and Mr, Ford Form A Team

Warning: This is another installment in the ongoing saga of "The Great Bronco Engine Transplant". Many posts have been published over the last two years chronicling this engineering/installation project. Those people looking for sailing info will probably be disappointed, move along.

 

In November, I reported on the change in priorities of Phases II and III of The Great Bronco Engine Transplant and how I acquired a Edelbrock Performer Manifold and Holley four barrel carburetor.. So this month I completed Phase III by installing the manifold and carburetor. A lot of planning went into this installation to make sure I had all the parts before I started. An early December order to Summit Racing ensured that I had most everything I needed, but plans changed and two more smaller orders finished this project as well as some purchases from the local autoparts store.

 

I started this on the afternoon of Wednesday Dec. 19. The disassembly went fast and in a couple of hours I had everything cleaned up and ready to install the new manifold. I prefabbed the throttle and cruise control cable mounts and painted them. I did not start installing anything until Thursday and finished Friday afternoon. I was still waiting on a Summit order, but it was mainly cosmetic stuff and I could live with out it.

 

There was actually quite a few small things to do to get the new intake system installed. One item that always seems to be a problem is the throttle/cruise control cable mount. The mounting location is different between the stock manifold and the aftermarket one. This time I could not modify the existing bracket, so I fabricated a new one from steel plate. It turned out well and seems to function good. In addition, I had to make a new fuel line, PCV hose, modify vacuum hoses, modify the electric choke wiring and add a relay for the choke. While I was at it, I took the distributor apart and changed the mechanical advance weights.

 

I had the Bronco started Friday afternoon. It seems to have much improved high end power. I notice that it accelerates nicely while merging onto the freeway and accelerates all the way up the hill on Waaga Way. Low end power is a bit harder to evaluate. After putting about 170 miles on it, it does not appear that the mileage is much better than the stock two barrel carburetor.

 

Now back to Phase II:The Great Bronco Engine Transplant-Phase II- Changing The Rear Differential

I may start that in January or February. 



 



 The old carburetor and manifold removed.

 Holley and Mr. Edelbrock joined up with Mr. Ford.

 Everything installed and functioning well. The throttle cable and linkage always seems to be a headache. I built my own cable mount this time from scratch, unlike the last time when I pieced together parts from both the Granada and Bronco.

I thought that the new Holley carburetor would be taller and the air cleaner would hit the firewall. But it was no higher that the original carburetor and about a half inch farther forward. So the stock air cleaner still functions for now.

Progressive Insurance International Motorcycle Show

Warning: Motorcycle content!

Today was the Progressive International Motorcycle Show held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.  A friend and I caught the 0720 ferry and when we arrived in Seattle, we had a half hour hike up the hills to the center.

The show has most of the major motorcycle manufacturers represented as well as accessory companies, insurance, ride promoters and custom and vintage motorcycles. I was a little disappointed that some of the motorcycles that I wanted to see were not displayed. Still there was plenty to see. After a couple of hours, we headed back to the ferry with a side trip to the Gum Wall in Post Alley and a fish and chips lunch at Ivars.


 

 The show opens and the crowd enters.

 Motorcycles and people everywhere.

The Can Am Spyder is always a popular motorcycle.

 I liked the paint on this custom.

 This started out life as a Yamaha. Very little original remains. Interesting finish, it is brass plated. I wonder how this bike handles with the strange front suspension?

 At the Allstate Insurance exhibit. A nice clean custom by Arlen Ness!

 At the Allstate Insurance exhibit.

 This was an interesting custom "dually". It has a rotary engine.

 Dual wheels on both front and rear.

 I got to ride with Flo!

 The gum wall in Post Alley. Disgustingly interesting!

The gum wall in Post Alley.

 



And Now For Something Really Self Promoting...

Last night was the Yacht Clubs Christmas party and business meeting. I boycotted the event this year. A friend brought me the final race awards that I had accumulated. Here is most of what I won in 2012. The turkey is not here. Neither is the perpetual West Sound Sailing Association trophy. And I forgot to add the third place Shaw Island Classic plaque. Most of this stuff is useful: the bags are great for carrying stuff to the boat, the travel mug for ...well...drinking coffee in the car, and the blue mugs are great except I already have about twenty of them!

But more than the usefulness or not of all these items is the memories that each one represents. There were great races where we made good decisions, sailed fast and left the fleet behind. There were races where we made bad decisions and did not do so well. There were races where we were far in the lead only to have conditions change and lose our lead. There were sunny days with  good winds. Rainy days, some with lots of wind and some with no wind. There were also days of no wind and scorching sunshine beating down on our heads.

Along with the memories are the times racing with others on the boat and working like a team. Thanks to all that raced with me in 2012!

Winter Vashon Race 2012

The Winter Vashon Race is a race that starts at the Tacoma Yacht Club near Pt Defiance and goes around Vashon Island. This race is the first race of the four race South Sound Series. Lots of people think that we quit racing in the winter and start racing again in the spring. This race is the beginning of my racing season.

On Friday, I delivered the boat to Tacoma Yacht Club. I got an early start at 0635 and arrived at the guest moorage around 1000. I was able to get a great spot on the dock. As the day went on, more boats arrived and the docks filled up with boats. Later in the evening, Tacoma Yacht Club put on their usual pasta dinner. Much discussion centered around the weather forecast for the next day. The forecast ranged from winds in the low teens to the high twenties. Through the night, the rain pounded down and the wind rattled the rigging of the assembled boats.

Saturday morning was actually pleasant. The rain had passed and the wind was blowing at about 12-15 knots from the south. As boats milled around the starting area, it was interesting to see many boats sailing with small jibs. We were one of them as we anticipated the wind increasing.

We got a good start on port near the boat end and set the 1-1/2once spinnaker. Most of our class went right. We sailed more toward the west to try to get into stronger flowing current in Colvos Pass. "Tantivy"(J109), "Grace E" (J35) and "Absolutely"(G&S 39) stayed in front of us. The wind built and we jibed near the west shore. We had a great run north as the wind built into the low to mid 20's and saw speeds as high as nine and a half knots. It was a fun run and as fast as we could go, the Olsen 30's and a B25 stayed right with us. We gained some on the leading boats but still rounded the mark boat in 4th place.

We started the beat back along the east shore of Vashon Island. We kept the #3 jib up, but some boats tried sailing with their larger jibs and soon were overpowered. We sailed past "Grace E" and gained on "Tantivy". We tacked back toward the Vashon Island shore to avoid adverse current and look for smoother water. We gained on the boats in our class that sailed down the middle of the sound as well as some of the boats that started before us. Some boats appeared to sail far southeast into Poverty Bay and found themselves in debt as they fought more adverse current. As we approached Pt Robinson, the wind increased to gusts in the high twenties. "Tantivy" tacked back to the west and crossed our bow. From here untill the finish, we had a close battle with them.

After passing Pt Robinson, we tacked to port and intially it appeared that we could lay the finish. But after a couple of miles, we were headed and tacked away from the shore. By now, the winds had increased in the gusts to the low 30's and the waves were very steep and short. We were plowing through the waves hosing down the crew and washing water into the cockpit. I am a "freak" because I not only steer the boat, but I also trim the mainsail. While we were in the stronger winds, it took a lot of energy to steer the boat through the gusts and around the bigger waves and constantly adjust the traveller and mainsheet. Near the finish, the wind headed us more and lightened and we tacked a couple of more times to make the finish at 1423. "Tantivy" finished a little more than a minute ahead of us and since they owed us time, we corrected on them for second place. "Absolutely" finished an easy first by more than six minutes ahead of us.

It was a fast race and we were able to sail in stronger winds for a change. Thanks to the crew of Jim, Walter, Kathleen, Dave, Tom and Rainer for putting in a stellar effort. Thanks to Tacoma Yacht Club for putting on a great event

Results can be found here: Winter Vashon Class Results

 

The crowded moorage on Saturday morning.



At the start.





Flying up Colvos Pass



Here is our track for the day. We sailed clockwise.

Pacific Marine Expo 2012

Today  I went to the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle. This is a show for the marine/fishing industry to check out the latest equipment and services that vendors have to offer. Each year I receive a free ticket and attend. I like to see what is new and wish that some of it was available when I was working. It is interesting to talk to some of the vendors that are selling equipment that I used to design installations for.

 

I made a quick trip of it today and was on the 1235 ferry. No stopping at Ivars for lunch today either.

 

The show takes up the entire first floor of the Centurylink Event Center. Seminars are on the mezzanine.

This is a MTU, 1000 hp diesel. Probably the largest at the show.

The exhibitors are eager to hand out all kinds of "freebies" to advertise their products. I like to pick up a lot of the stuff. Some is really useful, some is just silly.

Everyone needs a diesel engine stress relieving squeeze toy.

This is a sample section of non skid, cushioned deck mat. This is very shock resistant and I thought the salesperson said that a similar product was used in military vehicles. But what I found interesting is that the riser sections are made by Nike. Yes the shoe company! This company then glues the non skid mat onto the riser sections.

This is for Dave C. He is fascinated with John Deere tractors and John Deere "Green". Sorry to disappoint you, but the marine diesel engines are actually painted white(there is a reason for that) and their logos are black.

Fowl Weather Race 2012-Gobble Gobble!

Saturday was the day for our clubs annual Fowl Weather race. This is a three race regatta that rewards the winner with a turkey, frozen not alive. West Sound Corinthian Yacht Club started this event in 1989. How do I know this? I was the race chairman during that time and I thought it would be a fun event to hold just before Thanksgiving Day. A previous club that I used to belong to held a similar race and I copied the idea.

 

The forecast for the day was somewhat grim. All week, the winds were predicted to be strong on Saturday, as high as 25-35 knots. But the final morning forecast had the maximum winds at 15-25 knots and very wet. When we arrived at the marina, the winds were non existent.

 

We went out onto the race course for the first race. We set a old light No.1 genoa. I had hoped that we would not need this sail. Our newer No.1 was at the sail loft getting repaired. We maneuvered around the starting area and got a good start with one boat ahead and below us. The first leg was a beat to buoy #2 near Ross Point. After two tacks, we rounded just behind but to weather of the lead boat. We set the spinnaker and rolled past the lead boat. As we neared the marina, the wind got lighter and we sailed tight angles to keep our speed up. We rounded buoy #4 and headed towards the finish and after two tacks crossed the line far enough ahead to correct on the boats behind.

 

For the second race, we changed to the Heavy No.1 genoa as the wind had built just as we finished the first race. The rain also started in earnest and continued for the rest of the day. We dueled with one boat along the breakwater for the start and both of us got a great start. We sailed mainly a close reach to buoy #2. The wind was very gusty and we floated the main a lot After rounding the mark, we set the heavy spinnaker and had a wild reach along Port Orchard and a run to Pt Herron. One boat behind us blew up their spinnaker. We rounded the Pt Herron mark in a close second and started the beat back to the finish. We saw winds up to 22 knots and again we floated the main to try to keep the heel angle under control. We finished close astern of the first place boat and since we owe them time, we placed second.

 

For the third race, we went smaller and heavier with the jib and put up the No. 3 jib. Again at the start, the boat that won the second race and us had a great duel with us winning the start. And again, the leg to the first mark was a lot of reaching and by working up in the gusts, we made the mark without tacking. We were set up to fly the spinnaker, but the wind was far enough ahead to make flying a spinnaker difficult. Furthermore, the boat behind us(that won the second race) did not put up a spinnaker either. We reached north to Radar Target "3", tacked around it and started the  beat back through the start/finish line to Buoy #2 again. The wind was still gusty, but did not seem as bad. We rounded the mark and this time set the heavy spinnaker. We were having a great run, but the race was shortened as we sailed through the start/finish line. The boat behind again got first and we were second.

 

After the race, the results were tallied and we were first with five points(first and two seconds) and the second place boat had seven points(fifth and two firsts) even though they were first in the second and third races. Complete results can be found here:    Fowl Weather Race Results 2012 when they are finalized.

 

Following the racing the competitors met on the party dock at the marina for a potluck and deep fried turkey.

 

I have raced a lot of Fowl Weather Races and other "turkey " races and brought home a lot of turkeys(the frozen kind). My mom often holds off buying a turkey until after this race to see if I will supply the turkey for dinner.

 

Thanks to the crew of Jim, Dave, Tim, Ranier and Michael for all the help and making everything happen.

 

 

 The first race track is the red line. It was a short race to the south buoy #2, through the start/finish line north to buoy #4 and back to the finish.

 The second race track is the blue line. It was a longer race that started toward the south, around buoy #2, north around buoy #4, to the Pt Herron light, around buoy #4 again and then to the finish,

The third race track is the green line. This race started toward the south around buoy #2, north through the start/finish line to Radar Target "3" and back to the start/finish line. This race was suppose to be two laps, but was finished on the second run.

Following a day of racing, everyone met on the guest dock party shelter for a potluck including deep fried turkey! Yum!

Seattle International Auto Show 2012

Warning: This post involves new, old, and restored motor vehicles most of which are hydrocarbon burning and carbon spewing vehicles. A lot of the vehicles are in the price range for the 1% er's and a few for us 99% er's. Those people looking for sailing info will probably be disappointed, move along.

 

Today was a good day for retired people like me to go to the Seattle International Auto Show while the working people were, well, working! The show is at the Century Link Event Center. The intent is to show new cars for the 2013 model year. As always, a lot of the displays are glitzy and the cars are displayed under bright lighting. Most of the well known(and lessor known) manufacturers were present. Cars are not for sale at this show, but many brands were offering discount coupons to those people who were really interested.

 

I spent a lot of time at the Ford display. There Shelby Mustang GT500 was a beauty. But the Dodge Challenger was also a car I could see myself in. So many choices! I was looking for smaller electric cars and finally found one off in the corner behind the Lincolns. I think an electric car could be a good way to get around for running errands and shopping. But so many of the major manufactures put in all the frills of a gas powered car at the cost of more weight and less range on a battery charge.

 

All the "exotic" cars were up on the mezzanine. Here were the Land Rovers, Jags, Bentley's, Porsche's, Lamborghini's, a McLaren and even a Smart Car. What! Did I say? Smart Car? I sure did! There was actually four of them including a convertible. I learned a lot more about them today. I often think they would be a great little car for running around town, or even taking a trip. I was always impressed with them when I was in Europe and am glad to see more of them here.

 

After a quick trip through the displays, I went back to the 1500 ferry, did not go to Ivar's and was home by 1615.

 

Here is the Beetle Shark Cage that was featured in a commercial.

It actually went underway.

Mustang Shelby GT500. 5.8 liter, DOHC, 4 valve, 5.8 liter V8 that puts out 662 hp.

I could sure see myself in this!

Of course, the Shelby Cobra badge.

Wasn't for sale, but who would not want a Mustang pool table?

Ford F150 Raptor. It has an off road tuned suspension and a 6.2 liter V8 engine. When I stepped up to get in, I reached for a handle on the windshield pillar. My F150 has one there. But there was no handle. When I set down, a guy came up and said that he saw me reach for the handle that was not there. He said that he used to work for Ford and thought it was a dumb idea when they stopped installing it. He was told that Ford wants you to pull on the steering wheel when you get in. Strange! I like the handle.

Restored 1951, Studebaker Champion Starlight 2-door coupe. On display from the LeMay Museum in Tacoma.

 Restored 1960 Chevrolet Corvette. Also on display from the LeMay Museum in Tacoma.

Dodge Challenger R/T with the 6.2 liter Hemi V8. When I started to get into this car, the young guy who just got out said "You want to fall asleep in there". I told him "No, I want to drive it!" If not the Mustang Shelby GT500, I could also see myself in this car.

 The obligatory Ferrari picture.

Bugatti Veyron. It has a four-turbocharged, 8 liter, 16 cylinder engine that generates 1001 hp and has a top speed of 253 mph. Sells for a mere $1.5 million!!!!!

 I like this little electric car. Simpler, smaller and less expensive than the electric cars produced by the big manufacturers, it still gets 100 miles on a charge. This would be a good vehicle for commuting and around town driving. I don't think any of the electric cars are practical for travelling very far, yet.

The main floor.