So, an interesting few weeks. Have had a problem with the car since it was built, seemed to run great for a few miles, would then start backfiring running rough and generally misbehaving. In the end I bit the bullet and loaded trailered it up over the highest motorway in England to John Sleath Racing Doncaster.
Things did not start well as despite my thinking I was being careful I managed to scrape the bottom of the clip getting the car of the trailer. Then I could not select any gears but overcame this by winding the clutch master cylinder actuator rod out as far as it would go.
Once on the rolling road things started to improve, then a strange whistling noise started up. This was eventually tracked down to a few of the paper gaskets between the phenolic spacers vibrating as air passed through them. Some use of carb clearer sprayed around the inlet manifold showed a slight air leak in one area as well, so that stopped play.
Armed with some newfound knowledge, a new manifold gasket, and some special sealer I loaded the car onto the trailer and returned home. The car seemed to go down particularly well with young Asian lads as they went past. Lots of thumbs up, waving and photos being taken.
Was very chuffed when a friend asked if it was a photo of my car on John’s facebook page, it was, and he was very complementary about it. Also said he was looking forward to having it back once I had rectified the air leak issues so he could set it up properly.
I was a bit worried about the Edelbrock inlet Manifold gaskets John had recommended and sold me, as the fit seemed bad. Gave him a quick call and he confirmed he often had to fettle them when fitting.
Once everything was back together, I took the car out for a short test drive, and for the first time it began to sound like with my limited knowledge I expected a GT40 to be. Was having a great time until the last roundabout at the entrance to my close when suddenly there was a big cloud of escaping steam and water. Luckily just turned out to be a hose pipe leak on a connector.
My theory on the initial problem is the car would run fine until everything heated up. On that happened slight expansion was letting air past the carb and inlet manifold gaskets thereby causing the issue.