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At
a meeting of the committee it was decided to run another newsletter.
So this is one squeezed in before the year end and therefore could
turn out rather ‘thin’, unless I pad it out somewhat.
Over
the years, since starting the build of my GT40, I have been somewhat
confused by the names given to Ford engines by builders and other
knowledgeable gentlemen I have spoken to. Recently I acquired a book “The
Official Ford Mustang 5.0 Technical Reference and Performance
Handbook”, by Al Kirschenbaum. Now I understand a little more
clearly. Here is a quote from this book:
0.2
Nomenclature: Conventions can be confusing. Enthusiasts typically refer to Ford’s
popular V-8s by names that describe the combustion chamber/valve
arrangement in the engine’s cylinder heads. In enthusiast parlance,
Ford Windsor engines are V-8s built with inline valves, while
Cleveland powerplants have staggered, compound-angle (canted) valves.
Ford understandably prefers to apply the Windsor and Cleveland
nomenclature to engines produced by those particular plants. According
to the factory way of thinking, the Fox Mustang’s
5-liter
V-8 was manufactured only by Ford’s Cleveland Engine Plant, so
therefore it can not be a “Windsor V-8.” Enthusiasts see inline
valves and know it can not be called a “Cleveland.” For this
reason, this guide refers to the 5-liter V-8 only as a member of
Ford’s small block V-8 family and not by its popular (but formally
inappropriate) “Windsor” designation. The Ford FRPP catalog refers
to the 289 and 302 V-8s as “Windsor-style” engines. This series of
small blocks has also been referred to as Ford’s ‘90°V”
powerplant family.
The
302 cubic-inch engine was first referred to by Ford as a
“5.0-liter” V-8 (using metric rather than U.S. customary notation)
when it was part of the 1978 Mustang II King Cobra package.
Mathematically, the engine’s displacement actually measures closer
to 4.9 liters than 5.0, but Ford understandably wanted to avoid
confusion with the Cleveland Engine Plant’s other 4.9-liter engine,
the dependable 300 cid inline-six.
So!
I have a Cleveland 5.0-liter V-8 in my boot, so suck on that. What if
my valves are inline? – I’m a disciplinarian.
I
saw Ron Allen painting a sign on his truck “I repair what your
husband fixed”
And
a sign on the radiator shop reads “ Best place in town to take a
leak”
OK,
enough of that. Oh come on, just one more sign joke, OK!
A
priest and a pastor from the local parishes are standing by the side
of the road holding up a sign that reads, “The end is Near! Turn
yourself around now before it’s too late!”
“Leave
us alone you religious nuts!” yelled George, the first driver, as he
sped by.
From
around the curve they heard screeching tires and a big crash.
“
Do you think,” said one clergy to the other, “we should just put
up a sign that says, ‘BRIDGE OUT’ instead?”
Well,
as expected, the Tarlton drags were great. Apart from a leak in a
Cobra’s cooling system just an hour out of Durban, no further
mishaps occurred. Fraser Jack was the unfortunate owner of the
stricken Cobra, but with the likes of George Cummings in running
repairs, we were off in no time at all.
COLD,
don’t mention that word to Doug, he took the full brunt of it in a
side-screenless Cobra. But that was only early morning, the rest of
the trip was fine.
The
guys have not been talking too much about their times at the drags. I
have a feeling that the thinner air caused much slower than expected
times compared to East London. However the drags were great with the
added attraction of Corvettes thrown in for good measure. We thank the
Tarlton management for their hospitality as always. We also thank John
Botha and crew for inviting us to view the prototype of their all new
Cobra. This was very interesting and we await the arrival of this all
new ‘racing’ Cobra.
The
Cutty Sark breakfast run, ran into a lunch run in the end. The guys
could just not get up early anymore. Anyway, as usual, very enjoyable.
Now apart from not
being able to get up for a breakfast run, we have been labeled
‘Woosies’ for staying in bed on that rainy day of the G. Cheetham
Memorial Run. Well, it’s not fun in the wet is it, and we are not
all Schumakers.
Now
the next even was really great. Not that it involved our cars (André
managed it) but a good social event at the Barnyard theater
‘The Great Pretenders’. It was great, and I think I speak for all
the members when I say ‘we all had a great time’. I’m sorry that
a few members were turned away. Unfortunately the booking was heavy
and we could not accommodate everyone. Please, remember in future to
get your bookings in early.
That brings me to
two events that you have to book for real soon.
No.
1: The Sports Car Run to the Wild Coast Casino. Get your money
to Doug as soon as possible. The run is on Sunday 27 October.
The cost is R110 per person. See details in the last newsletter.
No.
2: The Cobra GT40 Club Xmas Dinner.
Get your R110 per couple to Nick Carter as soon as possible. Dinner is
for 20h00 30 November at the OYSTER BOX HOTEL.
Hazelmere
turned out too soggy, so those that turned up decided to at least take
a drive and landed up at the Wimpy (Tony’s delight) in Ballito for
brunch, and not a bad one at that. Except for an ill mannered cop who
decided that Nick’s Cobra looked too dangerous without a
registration disc. Nick will be contesting the R100 fine as his disc
had slipped behind an older one in the holder.
The
turnout for the braai at the Voice Clinic was so great, we ran out of
parking space. That’s the way to support your club. It was nice to
see Gerald, Johan, John, Bernard, Cathy, Sparky and Linda once again.
We
still have the Midlands Meander Run coming up on Sunday 20
October.
The
committee decrees that we have a shorter (than originally planned for)
run ending at O’Hagans in Pietermaritzburg for Brunch. Remember,
09h00 Pavilion.
Now
its getting hectic. Join us on Friday 25 October for an evening
of fun at the Ten Pin Bowling Alley in Brickhill Road.
Last
but not least run of the year. Meet at Prospecton Hyperama at 09h00
and André will take us off to a really good restaurant
for lunch. Make this the best turnout of the year. You will not
get another chance. Sunday 17 November.
I
told you this one will be short. I leave it up to the chairmans chirp
to add important news. Please refer to the last newsletter for details
or call those persons indicated on the Club Calendar.
Smokem
Vic
Wait - 7 October 2002.
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