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Friday 3 May 2013

Bluebird Express 2013 - Naked! Part I

Trophy Winner 


The 2012 pulling season, apart from being the wettest on record, was a brilliant start for the Bluebird Express team as we gained second place overall in the UK Pro-Pullers Championship!
 
Owner & Driver Mark Fewtrell with the Trophy
 
But after a couple of months of hard financial saving it was time to see how the 2012 season had taken it's toll on Bluebird Express.
 

Striptease

Bluebird gets undressed.
 
Splitting Bluebird to Check the Clutch Wear.
Removing the Cylinder Head.
Badly Worn Bores.
And Pistons.
 
This engine didn't look like it was going to see us through the 2013 season, so another engine block needed to be sourced.
 

The Rebuild

We found a 380cui block to replace last years 360cui.
 
New Engine Block.
And thanks to Richard at Billcar Precision Engineering Ltd for all his help.
 
 
Whilst the engine was out we cleaned and painted the chassis.
 
Wot No Engine?
A Long Way To Go.
New Block in Place.
Resetting the Clutch.
 

Redesign

We thought we would have a go at a new manifold to relocate the new bigger turbo. So we began by CAD drawing and profiling our own new face plate and flanges.
 
The New Face Plate.
Adding Bends.
Checking Alignment.
Getting There.
Turbo Fitted on the Exhaust.
Stainless Steel Inlet & Exhaust.
 
 
The sharp eyed amongst you will also notice the new aluminium Kirkey seat!
 
Ooooh!
Where's the Eject Button?

We'll be back soon in Bluebird Express - Naked! Part II, with a few more modifications including some data logging gear.