FC rod rule update recommended
it is recommended that the FC connecting rod rule be updated to the form used for Kents. the update would be administratively sound and provide competitors a compliant means to improve bottom end service interval.
for reference the FFord rule is included below:
12. Kent Engine
j. Connecting Rods
Any ferrous connecting rod may be used provided it meets a minimum weight of 630 grams and has a center to center length of 4.925 +/- 0.020 inches. (Note: Weights include cap, bolts, and small end bush, but not big end bearing shells).
the current FC rule reads:
15. Ford NE series and Pinto Engines
h. Full connecting rods may be standard Ford, Cosworth, Oliver, or Crower. The approved Crower part numbers are SP93230B-4 or SP93230PF-4. Any rod bolts may be used. Floating piston pins may be used. Standard rod length must be 5.00 inches (+.005” -.010”). Machining is permitted to remove metal from the balancing bosses to achieve balance only. Tuftriding, Parkerizing, shot peening, shot blasting, polishing, etc., are permitted
the recommended update would read:
h. any ferrous connecting rod may be used provided its length between the small end and large end is 5.00 inches (+0.005" -0.010") and when installed is compliant with 15. f. wrist pins are unrestricted provided no modification is made to the piston for installation and when installed is compliant with 15. f.
as an aside, floating pins are already unrestricted. the recommended update would extend "unrestricted" to pressed pins and explicitly exclude modification to the piston for installation.
for reference:
15. Ford NE series and Pinto Engines
f. Pistons shall be standard Ford Mahle, AE Hepolite, CP, or J&E. Pistons must be unmodified in any way except for balancing and as detailed herein.
The following combinations are permitted:
1. Mahle piston P/N 80HM6102LA with rings, pin, connecting rod
(with bolts), but without bearings:Minimum permitted weight = 1332.5 grams.
2. Mahle piston P/N 85HM6102DA with rings, pin, connecting rod (with bolts), but without bearings: Minimum permitted weight = 1240 grams.
NOTE: This piston may have either casting #90V108 or #90V118.
3. AE Hepolite piston P/N 21426, casting P/N 21426 (AE Hepolite) with rings, pin, connecting rod (with bolts), but without bearings: Minimum permitted weight = 1240 grams.
4. CP piston P/N IV 2.0 LTR with rings, pin, connecting rod (with bolts), but without bearings: Minimum permitted weight = 1240 grams. Part number and Ivey logo stamped on wrist pin bosses.
5. JE piston P/N M-6102-B200 with rings, pin, connecting rod (with bolts), but without bearings: Minimum permitted weight = 1240 grams.
NOTE: M-6102-B200 piston assembly is now made by JE and is visually different. I.D. Marks: M-6102-B200, Ford racing logo. All marks pin stamped on wrist pin bosses.
Rings are unrestricted provided that:
A. One oil control and two compression rings are used.
B. No modification is made to the piston for the installation of the rings.
Localized machining of the gudgeon pin bosses to achieve balance and weight by simple machining; all external surfaces, dimensions, and profiles shall remain standard with the exception of the top surface of the piston crown which may have simple machining to achieve balance, and as required in Section 9.1.1.B.3.d.
Art
artesmith@earthlink.net
low hanging fruit is easy to pick
90% of the merit of the proposed FC rod rule update can be achieved immediately through administrative relief (ie: no hardware changes required for compliance) from an outdated and poorly written rule. the use of vendor part numbers cost competitors money AND stand in the way of potential innovation. rules that are not verified or unverifiable should be eliminated to facilitate real compliance verification and remove competitor uncertainty. what are all the permitted processes under the umbrella of "etc" and are heat treating/cryogenic treating included in the minds of all race officials across the country?
it's my sense that a vote for consolidation of the proposed FC rod rule with the grand fix-all be-all proposal that may or may not be submitted for consideration is a vote for maintaining the status quo. anything approaching a working majority on what's currently wrong, where we should be headed, and how to get there isn't likely to happen in my lifetime. far too much time is being invested in the "how to" and not enough time is being invested in defining/quantifying the "is condition" and the desired "end state". 175hp Pinto's that will do three races seasons of eight weekends each reliably that cost $5000 and can be treated like a lawn mower engine aren't in the cards. in math class over constrained problems seldom had a solution and this situation won't either until the set of objectives gets rational.
the form of the proposed FC rod rule has been shown to work for Kents in FF. while I understand the engineering merits of the concern about titanium pins, the use of titanium is explicitly precluded in FF/FC. see rule below:
2. General Construction Restrictions
NOTE: Contained herein are the 1986 Formula F chassis construction
requirements, revised January 1, 2013. All new Formula Continental and
Formula F cars are to be built to these specifications. Any class-specific
differences are stated explicitly. For cars registered prior to January
1, 1986, see section B.21. The use of carbon fiber and/or Kevlar reinforcement,
titanium, beryllium, metal matrix composites, ceramics, high
strength composites and similar materials is prohibited unless specifically
permitted. The use of the word “unrestricted” in any section does not
indicate the allowance of these prohibited materials. The use of non-metal
materials for seals, bearing and bearing liners, thread locking systems,
windscreens, mirrors, instruments, wiring, electronic systems, electrical
systems, hydraulic and oil and cooling systems, etc, are permitted unless
specifically restricted.
