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Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:42 am
by oz_toffa
Josh and i were very fortunate to be invited down to Launie to see the work in progress of the Track Sedan that James has been developing.
WOW

WOW

WOW

i think the amount of work and thought and effort gone into this car is not unlike the job being done here in SA by Chris who has fitted a late 1600cc Twin Cam into his sedan body.

The first engine blew up, so it was back to the drawing board with some fresh ideas and a bullet proof engine build.
The build was focused on the basic engine with a Electronic ignition and turbo manifold feeding a webber carbi.
VL commodore fuel pump feeding the engine with various safety systems built in to keep the engine from damage.
running approx 8.3 compression with 6-9lb boost. no crazy turbo kick in, just masses of torque and power.

i have taken quite a few photos but will send them onto James and allow him to choose which ones to put up on the site.

Needless to say its one of the tidiest and unique builds i have seen using a basic OHV Bellett engine.

He has driven only very briefly on the road but is 95% plus complete.

looking forward to seeing it in action on a track or a hillclimb too.

OZ

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:49 am
by Glenn
oz_toffa wrote:Josh and i were very fortunate to be invited down to Launie to see the work in progress of the Track Sedan that James has been developing.
WOW

WOW

WOW

i think the amount of work and thought and effort gone into this car is not unlike the job being done here in SA by Chris who has fitted a late 1600cc Twin Cam into his sedan body.

The first engine blew up, so it was back to the drawing board with some fresh ideas and a bullet proof engine build.
The build was focused on the basic engine with a Electronic ignition and turbo manifold feeding a webber carbi.
VL commodore fuel pump feeding the engine with various safety systems built in to keep the engine from damage.
running approx 8.3 compression with 6-9lb boost. no crazy turbo kick in, just masses of torque and power.

i have taken quite a few photos but will send them onto James and allow him to choose which ones to put up on the site.

Needless to say its one of the tidiest and unique builds i have seen using a basic OHV Bellett engine.

He has driven only very briefly on the road but is 95% plus complete.

looking forward to seeing it in action on a track or a hillclimb too.

OZ
Love to see plenty of pictures of the build. Also from Chris too.

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:26 am
by pa_man
WOW, WOW, WOW is an understatement!!
Awesome work on an amazing car, by a dedicated Bellett owner and REALLY Great bloke.
Josh

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 6:52 am
by Asroc66
Thanks for such kind words of encouragement Oz and Josh
I really wanted to get Asroc to the Nationals but just couldn't get in enough testing beforehand.
It was just as well as we had a good blast on the back roads thanks to Yellowperil on Saturday afternoon
:D
It was soooo great at the Nationals
What a great 'Family' Bellett people are!
I have some great friends
I'm happy to post some pickies so here are a couple
Cheers
James

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:07 am
by mrflibbles
that looks nice! would love to see more!

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 8:36 am
by Glenn
a work of art. I am amazed you fitted all that in there

glenn

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 9:50 am
by oz_toffa
and the setup for fuel and battery in the boot is 2nd to none as well.

many many many hours of painstaking work in that car.

a real reflection of the dedication of the owner. very nicely done, James.

hope you get it to the mainland one day too.

OZ

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:59 am
by Farmer
I can now add my praise to James building efforts. We had the privellage of viewing the car when we landed in Tas 4 weeks ago. There was joy in seeing the head repaired like new and in place instead of lying idle in my shed. This is an amazing car, and it was so close to being at the Nats, but time is always the hardest ingredient to find. It was difficult not telling anyone about it, in the hope it would make an appearance.

We are very grateful to you James for the hospitality and a fine time when we visited. Some great stories were shared.
Hopefully we can return the favour some time.
Cheeers, Matt and family.

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 10:40 am
by yellowperil
Hi all
James' racer is a serious bit of commitment, knowhow and patience. The work that has gone into it is amazing. It's also a ... wait foooor it...SEDAN!!!

As an update, we'll be heading into country Tas in a few days following up on a find by Gt Orph and friends while they were sightseeing after the nationals.
One of my spies tell me that they were sighted poking around some Belletts. But even though they were driving sedans at the time the locals easily identified them as smarmy, smooth-talking Gt owners from Queensland which will not help James and myself as we follow in their footsteps. To make matters worse we will be arriving in banjo country driving a Nissan..... (gulp)

In order to overcome the obvious difficulties which members will readily identify, we will be going to the tattooist shop all Thursday and then buying some black leotards with matching black singlets so that upon our arrival in town, the locals will think we are champion cage-fighters and leave us alone to hunt Belletts....... hopefully!

Photos to follow.

YP

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 12:18 pm
by Farmer
:lol: :lol:

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 1:51 am
by pa_man
Hope you guys can salvage some cars or at least parts. :)

Josh

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 10:31 pm
by Asroc66
Hi All
Bit of an update
So far so good
Have put 110km on Asroc and she is going great
Boost between 7 - 10psi
O2 sensor Readings -
Full boost 10.5
Moderate load 11.5-12.5
Idle 13.4
Cruising 13.5
Otherwise the 'Butter zone'
Plugs perfect
No pinging
Torque impressive
Let the good times role - hopefully!!!!!!!!!! :)
Cheers
J

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 11:38 pm
by Glenn
Asroc66 wrote:Hi All
Bit of an update
So far so good
Have put 110km on Asroc and she is going great
Boost between 7 - 10psi
O2 sensor Readings -
Full boost 10.5
Moderate load 11.5-12.5
Idle 13.4
Cruising 13.5
Otherwise the 'Butter zone'
Plugs perfect
No pinging
Torque impressive
Let the good times role - hopefully!!!!!!!!!! :)
Cheers
J
Fantastic effort...

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 8:06 am
by mrflibbles
great to hear!
all that hard work paid off!

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 11:23 pm
by Asroc66
Hi All
Thought you may be interested
Final 'tweak' (for now anyway)
I bit the bullet (with all the excellent builds posted past and present) plus as a very good insurance measure against detonation
And fitted Water/methanol injector system.
I mounted the injector right under the carby in the inlet manifold for best effect
Pulls like a Malley Bull
Cheers
J

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:13 am
by Farmer
Great news James, this is one impressive build. May you have plenty of enjoyment, as you no doubt will!
Cheers, Matt.

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 12:09 pm
by oz_toffa
nice job there James, still going to send some posters of your cars over.

keep the great work comin...

OZ

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:24 am
by Asroc66
Hi All
Well I Bit the Bullet and drove Asroc on a 200km test & tune run .......
Holy crap she is one strong FAST 47 yr old car..... Ran perfectly..
Plugs perfect....
Surpassed all my expectations!
Very very happy and even more relieved
Need another gear....4 isn't enough
So much torque don't need to change gears anymore......
:lol:
Cheers
J

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:58 am
by PR95
Good one James, nice that you are happy with it.

Cheers Geoff

Re: Visit to see James's Garage in Launceston

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:30 pm
by redback
Right - can I order one of those engines please. ;)

Nice work - can you post a video next please with sound??