Death of a regionals registered car

[Outsider]

So the MX-6 I was driving for the regionals has just kicked the bucket this past weekend. :( :(
I just wanted to know what my options are in this situation. I spent a bit of time this morning looking over the rules, but didn't notice anything about this topic. I know one option is get the car fixed, but what happens if that is not a possibilty.

Can I compete in another car? (I have one, but would be in another class)

If that's not an option, can I at least still run in the regional events (just to get some seat time)?

[Tony Kloosterma]

you can continue to run, any car, any class.
You will just score points in the class you run, but your overall points that you have accumulated so far will count for the overall championship.

get a car and come out this sunday at comp

Tony

[Marsh]

A WOSCA father/son pair ran a different car at every regional of their rookie year. You can change classes and cars all you want, the only rule is that you can't change classes during an event.

This even means that you can change cars in the middle of an event, so long as the new car is in the same class (or can step up to the class) that you started that event in. It's very common for people to borrow rides off a competitor in their class, if their car breaks during a run... unless your the reigning champion and you last run before the blown clutch is still leading the class, but I'm not bitter :mad:

[Logan]

but I'm not bitter :mad:
:p

[soloZ]

Whats a matter with your Z24?

[Gen1GT]

I've already driven two cars this year...

[superdave]

I've already driven two cars this year...
As have I.

[jduffett]

So the MX-6 I was driving for the regionals has just kicked the bucket this past weekend. :( :(

What happened to the MX6?

[Outsider]

Whats a matter with your Z24?
The Zee is still fine. Helen and I were only going to race the MX6 this year. Less cars to drive all over the place for all the events.

What happened to the MX6?
Well, sunday was spent lapping at DDT, (Helen was taking the Ian Law track school) and on the last session, a knocking/tapping sound was beggining to be noticed from the engine bay, especially when the engine was revved past a few grand.
In order to not make matters worse, Helen finished the school in my Z24.
On the way home, I drove the MX6 and nothing exciting happened till I got to the bottom of the 427 on to Brown's line, and had to stop at a light. The engine stalled. On the highway, it was impossible to hear anything from the engine over the wind noise, so didn't give the problem much throught.
Barely got the car started, and the tap/knock was WAY louder by that point.
Limped it home at 20km/h in 3rd gear to keep the revs low.
I dunno if it's bearing, a loose valve lifter.... or what. It's not (at least I'm pretty sure it's not) detonation, since it's a constant knock with every rev of the engine. And it's only one knock per rev, so that limits the problem to one cylinder... It sounds like something mechanical is physically hittng the engine block (or some other metallic component)
I'm guessing short of popping the engine open, I won't know.
If you've got any thoughts on what else it could be, let me hear them...

[angrytegR]

I'm guessing that maybe it's a connecting rod bearing that's toast?

[jduffett]

I dunno if it's bearing, a loose valve lifter.... or what. It's not (at least I'm pretty sure it's not) detonation, since it's a constant knock with every rev of the engine. And it's only one knock per rev, so that limits the problem to one cylinder... It sounds like something mechanical is physically hittng the engine block (or some other metallic component)
I'm guessing short of popping the engine open, I won't know.
If you've got any thoughts on what else it could be, let me hear them...
I assume this is the V6? I couldn't really hazard much of a guess, but it's not incredibly uncommon to spin a rod bearing.
If you plan on parting or selling it, let me know as I might be interested. On the other hand if you plan on rebuilding, I'd love to get my hands into one of those motors (as I'm sure I'll have to do mine at some point), so if you need a hand let me know...

[Outsider]

jduffett, thaks for the interest. It is a V6, and I just might get my hands dirty rather soon, and another set of hands would be a welcome addition.
As long as I don't have to pull the engine right out, I should be fine, since I don't have a suitable area yet to call a workshop.

Does anyone have a service manual for a MX-6 or Ford Probe engine?

[jduffett]

I have a factory service manual (1993), and I have a Haynes. Actually I even have an extra Haynes.

[haniforama]

My buddy had a 93 Probe GT with that same motor and had the exact symptoms. It ended up being a rod bearing, though he drove it to destruction :)

[jduffett]

That reminds me, if it is a rod bearing be aware that this motor has a two-piece block which almost certainly means it can't be fixed with the motor in the car.

[Outsider]

I've got a Haynes too. Just didn;'t occur to me! :)
Well, it won't hurt to pull off the cover, and dig as deep as I can before having to pull the engine out...
It's this damn heat too! Takes every bit of motivation away. All I want to do outside is go back inside, or grab a cold drink and relax.
:D