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-   -   Volvo PV444 wins 1957 Petit Lemans at Lime Rock! (https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=279014)

blueosprey90 Mar 4th, 2018 03:31

Volvo PV444 wins 1957 Petit Lemans at Lime Rock!
 
OK, now I am inspired!

I consider Lime Rock my home track. People have been pestering me to get the Volvo out to wallow race in the "preservation class".

The only things I need in order to run, besides a car that runs, is an exterior emergency shut off, seat belts and some numbers. Already have the fire extinguisher, the helmet and fireproof suit.

http://touringcarracing.net/Races/19...Le%20Mans.html


The PV 444's perforance in 1958 wasn't so shabby either.

http://touringcarracing.net/Races/19...Le%20Mans.html

In 1957, I was only 9 years old and was oblivious to cars/racing until recently. In the 1957 race, I recognize the name Gordon MacKenzie finishing in 8th place driving an Austin A35. He was a member of my club, the VSCCA, and just passed away last year.

In the 1958 race, I recognize the name of Walter Cronkite, the famous American newscaster, with a dnf with a Goggomobile TS 400 - whatever that was!

c1800 Mar 4th, 2018 03:55

Good spotting!

Who knew?

https://bringatrailer.com/2017/07/26...l-ts400-racer/


https://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/200...t-page-1/?_r=0

blueosprey90 Mar 4th, 2018 13:05

I mostly knew Cronkite as reporting on the Vietnam War on the evening news.

Who would have known he had this other side. He must have had one sense of humor to show up for a race with that Goggomobile.

blueosprey90 Mar 4th, 2018 13:43

Here's a link to the 1957 SCCA race school at Lime Rock. A little bit of PV444 action at about 9:13.

https://youtu.be/YnxQ-ArSF8g


Here's a link to a video of me chasing a PV544 at Lime Rock in 2014. Car driven by Shaun Henderson. Sadly, he rolled the car the following year and I think it was a total loss. It took me forever to catch up, Volvo action starts at around 11:00 but heats up a bit at around 13:00.

https://youtu.be/u76Cg-dX1FE

blueosprey90 Mar 6th, 2018 14:21

OK, here's today's burning question.

The tire shop guy said that my steel racing wheels tires are out of round. I thought he meant that the rims had been bent in some accident with a curb. But instead, they appear to be off center.

I took what I assumed to be the two worst wheels (by extent of balancing weights) and mounted them on the front hub (itself about 0.16 mm out of round) and gave them a spin. It appears that the "worst" wheel is about 3.54 mm off center and the second one is about 1.5 mm off center - in other words, they track out and back in in one long arc. These are heavier steel racing wheels, not stock. Any theories on how to straighten? Or should I just ignore and run them "as is"?

Although used on the MGA (4 lug nuts), it seems that I might be able to use them on the PV 444 (5 lug nuts) as well, but I haven't tested the fit.

Nevertheless given the status of my MGA motor (blown), I might be compelled to run the Volvo in the VSCCA "preservation class" to get my "fix".

Derek UK Mar 6th, 2018 21:16

Saab 99 Minilite look alike will fit the MGA. Should be able to find a set of those at a modest price if you are allowed to use them that is. Your "racing" wheels sound as if they are fit for the bin. If the centres are off-centre there is no cure and you will be lucky to find anyone who can straighten them if otherwise OK. They can be spun up in a big lathe and forced back in line but you then need to heat treat them as well or they will just go back to the previous shape. Look for better wheels. Late MGA/Twin Cam but not knock-offs. There are also some expensive Dunlop wheels for the MGA.
Class rules for wheels will probably apply for the PV but you might be able to getaway with early solid centre 1800 wheels which are 4 1/2".

blueosprey90 Mar 7th, 2018 20:45

Thank you Derek. I've looked for the Saab wheels for the MGA, but they are not so available in the States. I do have Minatour Minilites (I think) on the car now. Just wanting to revive my original wheels.

Here we have tire rules more than wheel rules - although my club doesn't like the Minilites, there is not much else available on the market and the MGA stock wheels are too weak for racing. They grumble, but pass on.

blueosprey90 Mar 9th, 2018 21:02

1 Attachment(s)
Tentative photo post - fearing massive photo :car:

blueosprey90 Mar 13th, 2018 00:51

Steering Wheel removal. My steering wheel has two cracks that I want to repair. I plan to use PV-7 epoxy, but will also need to paint the steering wheel when I am done.

The first step to removing the wheel was to remove the horn ring. On the steering wheel itself, behind the spokes at approximately 8 o’clock is a set screw that must be removed. Once removed, the horn ring twists off. I grabbed it and turned counter clockwise and it spun loose. It is only a compression fit, but after 60 years it might be quite tight and require some significant force to remove.

Behind the steering ring, one finds a connection for the horn in the center of the wheel. Next is a 30mm nut with a dual lock tab that holds the steering wheel in place. It was easy to push the locking tabs back with a screwdriver, and the nut itself was quite loose – maybe only 10 foot pounds of torque or less to get it off. I used a 30 mm socket, but could have probably used channel locks.

Behind the steering wheel is a cylindrical housing for the turn signal stalk. At around 4 o’clock at the dashboard is a small set screw. I removed that and then pushed the housing forward about 3/4”. It allowed just enough space for me to get my two claw puller behind the steering wheel. I left the steering wheel nut loosely in place as a foundation for a socket, then covered the horn connection with the socket, then a large washer (for spin) and then the business end of the puller. It required some firm pressure, but the steering wheel popped forward without any damage. I then pulled the steering wheel off of steering shaft.

The cylindrical housing behind the wheel now came into play. The turn signal mechanism is sitting in there. I decided to pull the housing off to paint it. I could see that the housing would slide off if I disconnected the turn signal wiring, which was easily done at a connection under the dash. The entire housing pulled off with a bit of rearward pressure.

Army Mar 13th, 2018 10:45

I´ll be interested to see how you get on with that Eastwood repair stuff. I have a series 2a Land Rover wheel that needs the same treatment and there is unfortunately a little crack in the Volvo steering wheel that could do with some attention too...

...the problem I expect will be the paint for hiding the repair.

####

I looked through a few of your yew toob racing videos in the small hours this morning and was impressed by the gentlemanly behaviour on your race tracks. I went to an open day at Zandvoort (old F1 race track in Holland) and came away with the feeling that it was a place for mechanical death!

Speaking of which your MGA crank failure was a bit of a shame - though I couldn´t help smiling when I saw you reach for the starter switch to check ¨just in case¨ if it would turn over after that loud bang - hope springs eternal eh?

Did you replace the crank with a gucci forged example?


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