GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF IT ALL.

Well, we’ve found out that there was a little more to the engine failing than just a broken water pump shaft!

Not convinced that what we found could’ve cause all the symptoms Ritchie experienced at Snetterton, his instinct was to take a further look at the engine while it was out and on the bench; he was right to do so.

This what we found: with the cylinder head and the barrels removed we could see that the number 4 connecting rod was tight, which sent up the red flag of a possible seizure.

We had no choice but to split the crankcases again. Once the crankshaft was out and the offending rod removed it was clear to see that the shells had partially seized and had started to break up.

In fact the whole area around the journal had been getting so hot it had turned it blue!

We’re not sure what could’ve caused it. We think that it may have been something to do with the ignition set too far advanced on start up. It did‘ kick back’ on the first turn-over at the circuit – Ritchie was running standard ignition map while running in – so this sudden jolt, with higher compression, may well have caused the initial damage; after that it was only a matter of time before it failed.

We‘re going to have to rebuild again, with another crankshaft, but not sure when it’ll all be done – we’re trying for Oulton Park at the end of the month – Ritchie is getting fed up with being blitzed on the straights.

We hope we can get it done in time.