SAAC Forum

while trolling for GT350 program document came across Ford GT program documents, found them also of interest,
i hope this will add to the body of information!

enjoy
jim p

Quote from: Coralsnake on September 15, 2023, 02:32:51 PM
Fo you think those are specific to the "competition" models?

Since the letter is dated Sept 64, it's after  before Chuck C.'s Oct 16th start date  Chuck Cantwell was involved, that's a good question to pose to Chuck, anyone have his contact info??

They reference the 2 notchback sedan "test/development" cars and a 2+2 for rear window study.
My conjecture is this is prior to the Oct ?? order of the 3 prototypes (SFM5001, 5002, 5003) ordered mid Sept 1964
so perhaps this was a general program recommendation it was up to Chuck / Pete Brock for implementation??

But in my mind it now presents a question, was the side scoop & rear window a combination of Philco recommendations & Pete Brock for "design" implementation??

The oil cooler, front brake air ducts and rear Plexiglas window are competition only features, the side scoop was likely initially considered for competition but they may have then determined the underbody version was easier, cheaper option, shelved until 66?

I have photos of the "mocked up" side scoop using a cobra hood scoop (black painted) somewhere, I'll have to search for them,
update-
the attached are the notchback "development car" that may have been the attempt to investigate how to implement the Philco recommendation?

this is just interesting to me to fit the development puzzle together !

jim p

I have not previously seen any reference to the Philco Division involvement in the GT350 development.

Philco's work with SAI in sorting out the GT-40 is well documented and so it comes as no surprise I guess they would have also been involved with the "Shelby Modified Mustang"

It seems there continues to be small pieces of historical documents / personal accounts that surface and add to the body of knowledge regarding the vehicles / programs that involved Shelby American.

enjoy !
jim p 

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/138665/1965-shelby-gt350-historic-race-car

presented as "This genuine Shelby GT350 is the most desirable '65 version"

anyone know what Sn this is?

thank you

jim p

somewhat off topic, back in my younger years hot rodding Telegraph Rd, Westside Motor city

my 70 351C w 4:11 gears, Crane Fireball cam w 310° duration, I ran BF-32 motorcraft plugs and 20W50 racing oil,
that unmodified short block saw a lot of 6,000+ rpm's and was still running strong at 135,000 miles when the chemically lightened body twisted!

the big pain was in cold weather I had to drop to 10W30 and BF-42 plugs or the plugs would foul on cold startup,  the cam overlap + cold weather didn't play well together!

That 351C would take a  454 Pontiac Trans Am or Z-28 all day long, ...  big block corvettes for the first 3 gears, ... "no replacement for displacement"

<< found an old photo, following theft recovery, taken on Hines Drive, western Wayne  county circa 1976 >>

jim p

It occurs to me that SAI had to deal with these same challenges back in 1965 / 66,
as the volumes of the GT350's was still small batch manufacturing, AND they were working up against hard deadlines to meet production schedules!
The meeting minutes related in Chuck Cantwell's book reflect the struggles of getting tooling setups, sample pieces and production run going and meet the car production schedule.
So no wonder there were incomplete GT350's sitting waiting for hoods, quarter window trim, wheels, etc.

Just imagine doing this for volumes like F-150's !

The documentary "A Faster Horse" is a view into new model startup, an interesting video!

regards,
jim p

seal lip orientation (as previously mentioned ) - critical
rope retention pin MUST be removed ( I assume it's gone or you couldn't rotate the lip seal around the crank )
seal half joint offset from block / cap joint - important
ensure the crankcase is not pressurized

you may need to pull the main cap and inspect the crank-seal journal for nick/damage that is compromising seal lip

look at a prior "leaking" seal lip under a good a magnification and see if you can see any damage to the lip ??

jim p

not a bad investment $5,700 in 1974, appears to be fairly original late production leaf spring car

J B Donaldson still owns, although there seems to be a few factual errors in the narrative,
still interesting to hear from a long term owner.

enjoy

jim p

https://youtu.be/xdBGJAGikuE  segment 1
https://youtu.be/LbWInFYanA0  segment 2
https://youtu.be/0opjNkz7zCc   segment 3

Jerry Melton photo archives
https://www.cliffreuter.com/etceteriniWaterfordHills1971clubraces.htm

This GT-40 may be MK-II XGT-3 ??

Don Eichstaedt is reported to have purchased from Kar Kraft in 1977,
so in 1971 it would still be a Kar Kraft asset? and Don may have had access to take it to Waterford Hills club event?

I'm interested if there are others with knowledge?

regards

jim p

what is "GT500 models utilized a revised suspension system"

jim p

I came across this data thought it should be compiled and archived.
Interesting chassis numbers similar to the prototype 1964 GT-40's that started the history!

A total of 8 racing GT chassis were built.

FP-GT01 : test and spare chassis in WEC for 2016 – 2017.
FP-GT02 : test and spare chassis in IMSA for 2016 – 2017, then car n°67 in IMSA and n°69 for Le Mans in 2018 – 2019.
FP-GT03 : car n°66 in IMSA and n°68 for Le Mans in 2016. Won the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LM GTE-Pro category and was then sent to the Henry Ford    Museum in Dearborn (Michigan) at the end of the IMSA season.
FP-GT04 : car n°67 in IMSA and n°69 for Le Mans in 2016 – 2017. Then became the test and rescue car in IMSA in 2018 before being sold to Ben Keating for    the 24 hours of Le Mans 2019 in LM GTE-Am class.
FP-GT05: car n°67 for all seasons in WEC.
FP-GT06 : car n°66 in WEC for 2016 – 2017, then test and rescue car in WEC for 2018 – 2019.
FP-GT07 : new chassis built in 2017, car n°66 in IMSA and n°68 for Le Mans 68 in 2017 – 2018 – 2019.
   2017 24hrs Daytona winner n°66, Dirk Mueller, Joey Hand and Sébastien Bourdais
FP-GT08 : new chassis built in 2018, car n°66 in WEC for 2018 – 2019.

Each of the two teams had two racing cars, plus a third to carry out tests and Use it as a replacement for one of the two racing cars entered, in the  event of excessive damage, for example.
After two seasons, the spare cars replaced one of the two racing cars because they were less worn and with a lower mileage.

enjoy
jim p

Quote from: Don Johnston on March 28, 2023, 12:05:18 AM
Motorcycle?  I have seen similar road tatoos left by motorcycles in our neighborhood, usually in middle of smaller intersections and done late at night.

+1

During a discussion with a material engineer at work,
(we're a class 6~8 truck axle manufacturer formerly Rockwell, so "car" stuff doesn't often surface !)

he pulled out of a drawer a sample block of "laminated aluminum" panel,
as I've never handled a sample of the material, took photos and thought I'd share.

regards
jim p

Quote from: Richstang on March 11, 2023, 06:12:30 PM

That comp car (R) has the 1966 grille and the elongated brake openings in the front valance (thinner elongated openings)
Those changes appear for the 1966 race season. The circle brake vent openings are covered (same part modied?) in your photo.
They appear on the last batch of completed comp (R) models, about 12 cars, but the thinner opening was used on the first cars and they were enlargaed (slighty wider) later in 1966.

Also 66 side stripe

jim p

I also read the book thought it was fairly factually accurate, a good read!

jim p