This is going to be fun! "The Big Muddy" AKA W/M Lotus - Brutal

Bob, good catch, well used but not abused, looks like it is cleaning up quite good from its previous parked after a mud run and never run again. Perhaps from a child who grew up, last run in high school, then off to college or military, then married with a family and career to manage after? Grandparents hoping his children may one day have an interest?

(Bit of speculating on its unknown past). Good resurrection going on, except for a little patina, see another being restored to its post showroom appearance.

Waiting on your magic!! That engine looks pretty crusty, though.

Thanks guys.  

Yes, played with.  I'm always happy to see that. Fulfulled it's mission.  Rear tires quite scuffed, started and dropped onto a driveway I suspect, ran though a mud puddle to much delight then put away.  

And Andrew, see what I can do about that.

This morning, started out with a visit to the local Family Practice.  First time in five years I have seen a doctor then only at my daughters prodding.  "You need your ears cleaned Dad, you're not hearing so well."  (Perhaps by design I thought.)  Both daughters (in their 60's) had theirs done.  So the usual stuff, all turning out normal for my age, including my ears which didn't need cleaning.  Got to hold that over them.  

So, got home and started on the W/M Lotus.  Brought the worst half out to the garage and dumped them in Berrymans.  Engine a story in itself.  Totally locked up.  Heat got the needle out, but the spring came out in three pieces.  Same routine - Berrymans 20 minute soak, tooth brush, Simple Green, warm water rinse, compressed air blowout, Marvel Mystery Oil, and heat.  Removed the glow head.  

Filled the fuel tank with Berrymans until bubbles stopped, slopped it around and let it set.  Then blew it out with low volume compressed air.  Filled it again with Simple Green, blew that out.  Filled again with warm water and blew that out.  Result is a clean tank.  Black in the picture below.  The supply nipple did break off when I removed the tubing so it's another aerosol straw fix.  

Heat gun to a smoking engine, MMO in all ports.  Gear not a prop. so I used common slip joint pliers that fit amazinging well in the brass gear and with a wet rag on the case (HOT) slowly rocked the crank back and forth adding MMO as it freed.  Piston got to a certain point and stopped in both CW and CCW directions.  

I'm not forcing anything!!!  So, got out the Cox engine tool and inserted the fork fully through the exhaust openings, added more heat and bumped it with the palm of my hand loosening it but not easy.  Cylinder and piston a mess.  Hardened castor coated the top half of the cylinder and traced a vertical line on both sides of the piston.  I have never seen that before, usually it's a "window" where it came to a stop on the exhaust ports.  

Heat, MMO and fine steel wool removed most of it in the cylinder and on the piston.  One port on the two port cylinder was almost completely obstructed with crud. Took a carefully applied .22 caliber brass brush to remove it.  Passed a common pin through the NVA to ensure it was clear and put it back together.  Surprisingly good compression considering.  

Now, do the other half and fine clean with 91% alcohol.  Then reassemble.  Only new part I will need is a needle spring.

Finished.

Still a little crusty but the engine is fine. The body is quite beat-up missing the trumpet exhaust pipes, rearview mirrors, and wheel protectors. Found an original needle valve spring in parts and was able to save enough of the fuel tanks nipple to attach the fuel line. Added some decals and at worst we have a penny waiting for change. Love it anyway. (Someone has to)

A hassle getting the suspension apart. None of the wheels would turn, all castor locked. Rear suspension the worst. The hexagon axle was castor locked within the suspension which runs in the machined round surfaces as the engine is locked to the axle through the gears.

I got one wheel off, enough to use a torch to free the rest, dicey as too much heat would also melt the plastic.




Added some decals from stock and a strip of green vinyl tape provides driver glare protection.







Not sure which one I like best, I'm a car guy who loves airplanes.



Managed to squezze it in.

I may be resurrecting a dead horse here but I found an AJ Watson/Dean Van Lines Special Indy car powered by the ledgendary Offenhauser engine and modelled by Carousel on ebay.  Driven by Eddy Sachs in the 1960's but not the car that he lost his life in in 1964.  I was watching that race live when it happened.

Also significant as it was the last race won by the traditional Indy racer, after that it was all rear engine cars, Lotus powered by Ford mostly.  Jimmy Clark etc..

Seller had it listed for awhile at a reasonable price but with make an offer, which I did and which he ignored.  A week passed and he contacted me with "Resubmit your offer."  Ok, did and accepted.  Probably would not have except I followed Eddy Sachs in all his races.

A nice compliment to the Lotus.

Seeing these cars makes one wonder how it felt to see a race live back in the day with them. Even the sounds muct have been something to remember.

Arrived today and I'm quite pleased with it although it doesn't do anything for me other than being an attractive shelf-sitter.  Carousel, made in China a new one on me.  Obvious quality and a step up from normal offerings in this venue.  Nicely detailed, heavy and all metal, The hood removes showing the engine, also the front wheels turn and it's numbered.




Smaller than the Wen Mac Lotus and Cox Thimble Drome cars.  Around 1/32nd or less I would guess.





Only one that put me to work was the yellow Prop Rod.  A mess when I got it.



But the little Thimble Drome .045 remains the favorite.

The Lotus cleaned up nicely Bob, And the Deans Vans Line Indy car is really cool with a lot of detail….I need to make it over to the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum one of these days…..about an hour’s drive from me…. It has a display of Jim Hall-Chaparral racers that would be fun to see …. From their web site…

Jim Hall, quite a history.  

Thought it interesting to post pictures of the evolution of Indy cars.

Mauri Rose of 1941



Graham Hill of 1966



The STP Turbine car



1978 Al Unser/Jim Hall car



Todays radical



In contrast, the down-to-earth vehicle that serviced my tractor yesterday.  Spotless and just as well kept as the best Indy car.