threw another #3 rod, how to prevent this from happening again. Options

[crash914]

So blew up my #3 rod. wondering what caused this. lack of oil, due to rpm? poor return? oil pump sucking air?

last time it was #2 rod. I really don't want to live with this again.

Motor specs,
Dual oil coolers with full flow plumbing
102 bore by 80mm stroke
long rods,
ham heads and valve train.
Running to 6800 rpm
g loads to 1.5
windage tray modified at pushrod tubes for oil flow
tuna can with 1/2 extra oil

Pics of horror below. First are this failure, then old failure.

[GregAmy]

Totally taking this off-topic a bit further...last few races I experienced unhappiness with my 914 regarding vented rockers.

Last summer with my 2L I was taking a nice long left-hander at Thompson (under the bridge) and the pressed vent tube in the right head came out. Dumped shad-ton of oil all around the bend, causing a couple cars to spin and one to hit the wall (I strongly apologized and ensured he did not buy beer or dinner that night). Field-fixed it by slightly swaging the tube, tapping it back in tightly, and gooping it with silicon. Held for the weekend.

This September at the Lime Rock Labor Day historics, using a borrowed 1.8L. The valve covers have welded 1/2" tubes coming off the valve covers with oil hose secured by hose clamps. First session out, driving through Big Bend and the left hose came off the tube....dumping a shad-ton of oil all around the bend, causing myself and several other cars to spin (no contact, thank goodness). Field-fixed by cleaning it all up, screwing it on as tight as I could, then drilling a hole across the hose, clamp, and tube and putting in a cotter pin, sealing it with silicon. Held for the rest of the weekend.

I'm also running a CB Performance dry sump pump.

I'm really getting tired of that. If I don't need these rocker vents then I'll just drill/tap/plug the holes on the 2L engine I'm building now and be done with it.

[HAM Inc]

Totally taking this off-topic a bit further...last few races I experienced unhappiness with my 914 regarding vented rockers.

Last summer with my 2L I was taking a nice long left-hander at Thompson (under the bridge) and the pressed vent tube in the right head came out. Dumped shad-ton of oil all around the bend, causing a couple cars to spin and one to hit the wall (I strongly apologized and ensured he did not buy beer or dinner that night). Field-fixed it by slightly swaging the tube, tapping it back in tightly, and gooping it with silicon. Held for the weekend.

This September at the Lime Rock Labor Day historics, using a borrowed 1.8L. The valve covers have welded 1/2" tubes coming off the valve covers with oil hose secured by hose clamps. First session out, driving through Big Bend and the left hose came off the tube....dumping a shad-ton of oil all around the bend, causing myself and several other cars to spin (no contact, thank goodness). Field-fixed by cleaning it all up, screwing it on as tight as I could, then drilling a hole across the hose, clamp, and tube and putting in a cotter pin, sealing it with silicon. Held for the rest of the weekend.

I'm also running a CB Performance dry sump pump.

I'm really getting tired of that. If I don't need these rocker vents then I'll just drill/tap/plug the holes on the 2L engine I'm building now and be done with it.

Greg you don't need anymore oil incidents! Your last one ought to hold you for the rest of your driving career. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[GregAmy]

Greg you don't need anymore oil incidents! Your last one ought to hold you for the rest of your driving career. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Jeebus! That's not even considering that one!!! Toss in the "putting the Super Touring car on its lid" in early 2018 and it's been an "interesting" 18 months...I really do need a boring hobby...

Fantastic meeting you and your dad at VIR. Hope that happens again soon.

I think I'm'a gonna plug those head holes.

[HAM Inc]

Greg you don't need anymore oil incidents! Your last one ought to hold you for the rest of your driving career. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

Jeebus! That's not even considering that one!!! Toss in the "putting the Super Touring car on its lid" in early 2018 and it's been an "interesting" 18 months...I really do need a boring hobby...

Fantastic meeting you and your dad at VIR. Hope that happens again soon.

I think I'm'a gonna plug those head holes.

Damn Greg! You've had a hell of a year and a half. That VIR shit was scary and such a suck ass way to end up considering how hard you guys worked to make the race.
The NOLA "Jackie Stewart" commentary is gold! I have to ask, how did you handle the post race de-brief with the dive-bomber? Was a jack handle involved?

Dad and I had a really good time at VIR. We sure did appreciate the passes and we enjoyed meeting your guys. Wish we could have socialized more. Maybe next time you won't have to work so hard!

[GregAmy]

The NOLA "Jackie Stewart" commentary is gold! I have to ask, how did you handle the post race de-brief with the dive-bomber? Was a jack handle involved?

Oh, it did not go well AT ALL. The short version is I was tossing paper as I was climbing out of the meat wagon, and when the SOM decision went against him, he and his dad yelled and cursed at the stewards and flipped them the bird. Then started yelling at us, claiming we were damaging his chances for his future racing career. At the time it was kinda surprising; in hindsight it's freaking hilarious.

I DO NOT like thrashing at the track (or, really, at home). But I seem to surround myself with people that are all like, "dude, we're here, let's fix that s**t" and it makes for good stories. I need more less-motivated friends.

But last weekend at NJMP was nice: good weather, 914 ran all weekend without a hitch, boring video, pretty car goes back on trailer as pretty as it was when it arrived. Need more of those. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Now to decide what to do in 2020. I am becoming more attracted to that limited prep HProd 1.8L option...know anyone that could build a Micro/Megasquirt using the stock throttle body...?

Back to our regularly-scheduled "toss a rod" discussion. In that vein, here's what happened to me the weekend before the Lime Rock Historics 2019 (remember what I said about needing to be more boring...?)

Knitting. That's the ticket. Or crochet or quilting. Though they get pretty serious about that stuff...

[HAM Inc]

The NOLA "Jackie Stewart" commentary is gold! I have to ask, how did you handle the post race de-brief with the dive-bomber? Was a jack handle involved?

Oh, it did not go well AT ALL. The short version is I was tossing paper as I was climbing out of the meat wagon, and when the SOM decision went against him, he and his dad yelled and cursed at the stewards and flipped them the bird. Then started yelling at us, claiming we were damaging his chances for his future racing career. At the time it was kinda surprising; in hindsight it's freaking hilarious.

I DO NOT like thrashing at the track (or, really, at home). But I seem to surround myself with people that are all like, "dude, we're here, let's fix that s**t" and it makes for good stories. I need more less-motivated friends.

But last weekend at NJMP was nice: good weather, 914 ran all weekend without a hitch, boring video, pretty car goes back on trailer as pretty as it was when it arrived. Need more of those. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Now to decide what to do in 2020. I am becoming more attracted to that limited prep HProd 1.8L option...know anyone that could build a Micro/Megasquirt using the stock throttle body...?

Back to our regularly-scheduled "toss a rod" discussion. In that vein, here's what happened to me the weekend before the Lime Rock Historics 2019 (remember what I said about needing to be more boring...?)

Knitting. That's the ticket. Or crochet or quilting. Though they get pretty serious about that stuff...

Pretty funny the guy accused the racer he dumped of ruining his career. If he keeps driving like that he'll get more than paper thrown at him eventually.

I don't think you'll have too much trouble finding someone to build your MSquirt. What about DIY in Atl? I'll bet a post on the Sandbox would flesh out sources fast.

Greg your broken crank is kind of unusual for a stock crank. They're actually nice chilled forged German steel. I think case flex and or shuffling may have something to do with your failure. I have heard of them breaking in the center main before, but like I said it's not common.

I broke a 1.8 crank on the FP 914 at the #1 journal, just in front of the flywheel. But we had lightened the shit out of that crank and I was turning around 8k at W.O.T. in turn 9 at Roebling. Caused a momentary rear wheel lock up. It was exciting.

For our race engines I used to drill the 6 main bolt bores for 1/2" bolts. They fit snug in the case and that totally eliminated shuffling. I torqued them down good and that eliminated any separation of case halves. I line-bored the case with the new big bolts. This process was waaaaay cheaper and easier than installing shuffle pins and buying ARP case hardware.

I would spend in the neighborhood of a 100 hours prepping our dry sump race cases.

[Superhawk996]

I would spend in the neighborhood of a 100 hours prepping our dry sump race cases.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

@HAM Inc

Love the fact that you're using the 1/2" bolts to effectively shuffle pin it without all the work and machining associated with shuffle pins. Colin Chapman would be proud.

“…simplicate, and add…lightness" has been attributed to Colin Chapman. To paraphrase his lightweight philosophy, each part should serve multiple functions. Your creative solution achieves that goal. Nice way to work smarter not harder.

Great job Len!