wear and tear

My faithful 1500 Midget has gone for 8 years (about 60 events) on the same engine (with just mild refreshing.....rod bearings, thrust washers and rings on occasion). But last week at the NJ Historics it finally grenaded. Upper ring land failed, and turned piston into dust. Rod/wrist pin punched through cylinder wall into water jacket. I have one more event (in two weeks) at Watkins Glen before I intended to retire this engine (to be replaced with a 1275). At the moment I only have a hapless, stock 948 cc that's ready to go in. It last ran 20 years ago. If I put it in, I'll need a calendar to measure lap times. If I can find time, I'll probably do it and run anyway......better than staying home and watching TV or mowing the grass.

(Below) Funny firing order: Three up and one down.

Carnage

You can just see the hole in the cylinder wall.

Ouch! Sorry to see that. Pieces that small are never a good thing.

Eight years on a BL racing 1500 is pretty darn good. The 1275 should be a much better racing engine. Even though I'm a Triumph man, the 1275s I've seen at Hap Waldrop's place have me jonesing for one.

On the bright side, if that was a mini the pieces in the crankcase would have taken out the trans too..... Good luck with the swap to the 948. There will still be lots of sprites and midgets to run with!

I have a good 1275, but I'm really building it for ~this~.

But if the 948 works out, maybe I'll just keep it in the Spridget as a backup until the Austin is finished.

Looking on the bright side, the 1500 will make a great boat anchor.