TBO and costs for WC VW Super Vee

[Daryl DeArman]

Tempted to dip my toe back in the water, talk me out of it.


What's the current TBO with a W/C super vee and typical costs?

When a previous owner has gone too long and some bits are beyond their serviceable limits, what does that look like (parts availability and costs)?

If I twist an engine 500 rpms less than I would have when I thought Roger was watching, approximately how much does that increase TBO?

[Rick Kirchner]

Contact Rob Morris or Robert Merritt. Rob was Firestone's chief mechanic and has built a bunch of them for Dennis, Rob, and Vince Tjmelland.

[fletch]

Daryl,

I have been running a WC 1979 March 79V in vintage events for the last 15 years.
They are great cars and if maintained properly, they are not much more expensive to run than a FF.

Engine is set up with Bosch/Kugelfischer mechanical injection system.
I use Carrillo rods and J&E pistons.
I replace my bottom end bearings every 16-20 hours max.
I go through the head every 10 hours, cleaning out the carbon and lapping the valves and readjusting the valve lash.
Every 3 seasons or so, I get the head professionally maintained, usually new guides and a regrind of the seats and valves as needed.
Rings are replaced as required by leak down tests, usually every 50 hours or so.
synthetic engine oil is changed every 2 weekends.

We run FC bias ply Hoosier tires, mostly used from the SCCA guys.
We run very competitively here in the midwest and can usually beat most of the Monoposto1600 FA cars at most tracks.

With that said, we have had a few small engine problems over the years:
cam lobe/follower failure
burned an exhaust valve
cracked piston
broken flywheel bolts

As Rich mentioned, Rob Morris is a great contact in California for this subject.
With all the Super Vees that were produced, it's a shame more of them aren't out racing in vintage events.
They are great racecars!

Regards,
Fletch
March 79V

[Rick Kirchner]

IMHO, if someone produced a "Jake" book for the FWV 1600 and 1800s the class could really shine. Hard to find people who can make reliable HP....

[Charles Warner]

IMHO, if someone produced a "Jake" book for the FWV 1600 and 1800s the class could really shine. Hard to find people who can make reliable HP....

To quote a certain engine builder when speaking of the 1800 Super Vee motors - "you want horsepower, or you want reliability?"

[billtebbutt]

Really? I have to admit, I laughed about that line. Like you're easily talked out of ......anything?

cheers,
BT

[Rick Kirchner]

To quote a certain engine builder when speaking of the 1800 Super Vee motors - "you want horsepower, or you want reliability?"

Well, I have the book but haven't built a FF motor, but I'd bet motors produced by jakes book are good regional motors, and you need that to keep things going. At least they have a decent parts supply...

[Daryl DeArman]

Really? I have to admit, I laughed about that line. Like you're easily talked out of ......anything?

cheers,
BT

Ha ha ha. Throwing money into a hole, yes.

[Daryl DeArman]

To quote a certain engine builder when speaking of the 1800 Super Vee motors - "you want horsepower, or you want reliability?"

I want enough of the former to keep up with the wankers with the big wallets, and enough of the latter to race often enough to be able to do so.