Shasta Bus Goes Open/Unlimited Class??

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[Greg Urrutia]

OK.....so it's been a few weeks since last update, but good things come to those that are patient.

Need to thank Racer Extraordinaire Mike Lawless for the screamin' deal I got on these Wizeman/Mahle Black lifters.



Brand new, in the box, and virtually no longer available according to this recent reply to another thread:

Greg,
Those black "MAHLE" lifters must be WIZEMANS from Germany.  Mahle owned the company and received them in bulk.  Then they boxed them in sets of 8 in a Mahle box.  Even though they are heavy (about 99 grams), they are about as bullet proof as you can get in a flat tappet.  Unfortunately they aren't made any longer.  We sold the last of our inventory to Roger Crawford and I understand he hoards them like King Midas did his gold!

This concurs with what Steve Phillips has already told me. I very grateful that Mike held these and hand delivered them to me at the recent BOR 65. 

Also in the good news department is the recent delivery by the Big brown Truck. I'm extremely grateful to Rick Sadler and BUGPACK for the support they have offered in parts for the new engine build. Today I received these fantastic components.



As recommended by Steve Phillips....
4049 Rocker Shaft Kit
4054 Uncut Aluminum Push Rods
4070-10 Adjustable Cam Gear Kit
4590-10 Tru-Arc Type Pin Keepers

These items are components Steve demands to be used in his engine builds without fail. I will follow his instructions on this build and keep you posted as things fall into place.

 

[Greg Urrutia]

In other news of the build, Tom Simon combed the BOR swap meet and turned up a couple more "must have" items for the Bus engine build. "Eagle Eye" Simon secured a much needed fan for the multi pass oil cooler we will be using along with nice lengths of -8 and -10 steel braided hose.
Simple enough, but needed pieces that take us another step closer to the final product.

[Greg Urrutia]

Here's a good tidbit to share with the followers of this thread. A copy of the sponsorship proposal I sent to Tiger at A-1 Muffler.

Hi Tiger,

I’d like to introduce myself, Greg Urrutia, Race Director for the NASA Pro-VW Drag Racing Series (www.nasavwdragracing.com), owner of Greg’s VW Service, freelance writer, and above all, VW fanatic and performance enthusiast.
Along with fellow adventurist and  VW fanatic Tom Simon, we are readying our unlikely but trusty rally vehicle, an old 65’ VW Kombi for our next event in the 2010 Beetle Ball Endurance Rally Series, www.beetleball.com

Next up for us is the series premiere 1500 mile event. The rally starts in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and completes in Ensenada, Mexico. The goal is to complete the event in 24 hours or less.
We are the defending class champions and record holders in Class 7 - Vintage Type 2. This year we want to step up our program and run in the unlimited Open Class.

I have already secured sponsorships and support from a handful of fine businesses and individuals. In our support department I need to give a huge Thank You to Steve Phillips of Wolfgang International. Steve has generously offered assistance in helping us build an engine using his proven recipe for a stout 2007cc. He has gone above and beyond our inquiry for support by opening the doors of his machine shop and inviting us in for a hands on seminar. He will be sharing his technical know how and teaching us his accomplished machine skills.
Steve is very particular about the products that go into one of his signature engines. He prides himself on using only products of the highest quality.

This brings me to the point of why I’m sending this proposal to you. Steve insists that we use one of your A1 Sidewinder Exhaust systems without fail. He has convinced us there is no finer product regardless of cost. With that said I am hoping you might consider joining our team in a sponsorship role. In return we would proudly display your logo and contact information prominently on the Bus. We would speak highly of your support and products with fans, friends, race officials, and the general public. We would continue to do this during the event and after it’s conclusion in our daily travels.



I have recently came to terms with another sponsor, Prism Wraps, www.prismwraps.com. Owner Ken Sypolt has an idea brewing that is sure to set our vehicle apart from the rest of the field with an attract design that is sure to produce a tremendous amount of exposure for our sponsors.
We hope you will give consideration to this proposal so we can add your name to our traveling billboard as we race through three countries and continue to display the Bus at various shows and events throughout 2010.

As I do with all my adventures, I will be writing an indepth story about this endeavor to post on numerous websites and submit to various publications. My latest printed submission can be found on page 79 of the May 2010 issue of HotVWs magazine. In all of my writings I always thank supporting businesses and individuals as well as identifying the many fine products we use.

As you may have concluded in this proposal, I am very serious about my racing programs and have a long history of successes. I have managed to excel in a number of motorsport competitions and have logged a number of wins and championships.
With your assistance we are confident we will reset the records in the Open Class and set the bar at a level that even the lighter and more aerodynamic  Beetles and Karmann Ghia’s will have a hard time to achieve.

If you have any questions, would like more details, or if you would like me to direct you to my archives of stories, race reports, and/or magazine articles feel free to contact me at your convenience.

I would like to thank You in advance for your support and hope for a favorable response.

   
Sincerely,

Greg Urrutia

This proposal (sent snail mail) resulted in yet another positive response in the sponsorship department. A1 muffler will be supplying us with one of their state of the art exhaust systems.
If you are following this thread and find yourself with similar needs, do yourself a favor and use this proposal as a format and modify it to fit your own program. Sponsorships don't just fall into your lap, you need to go after them. If you mail out 10 proposals and just 1 comes back as favorable, that's 10% for all of your efforts. A Huge number! If you put in the time, good things will come back to you.
Thank You for following this thread.

[Greg Urrutia]

Big push in Bus prep over the last couple of days!

Picked up case from Jansen Enterprises.
Ken did us up with shuffle pin, decking, case relieved for stroker, opened for 90.5, and full flowed.
thanks Ken!

Obtained a brand new Compufire Electronic Ignition System in a craigslist trade for a window and tail light bulb holder.

Made a deal for a Stage 1 Kennedy Clutch plate from Beetle Ball promoter Jimbo.

Ken Porter got me a deal on a 3:88 R&P for the trans build.

Obtained 2 more sets of Weber 40 IDF Carbs. One set brand new!

Also made a deal with CLC contender Blake Bryan. He needed rebuildable DP heads, and Doghouse Shroud, Oil Cooler, Fan, Front Sheet Metal, Exit Tin, and Shoot. In exchange I will be picking up an external oil cooler.
Thanks Blake!

Today I pulled engine and trans from Bus,
Disassembled both.
Now that I have trans apart I discovered I need to buy all new reduction box bearings....$$$$! Ugh!
Trans goes to Porter on Monday. In addition to the 388 R&P, he will be welding hubs and welding forks, etc.

I will also order new fuel pump, pump pedestal, alternator, misc grommets, fuel gage, more Brad Penn oil, and other assorted items on Monday.

Then there's.....
Need to consider all the odd ball stuff....gear oil, wire, fuel lines, pull middle seat, rack, & light bar. Order up new sponsor gragfics, rotate air in the tires, etc.


Tried, Trued, and Trusty old stock 1600 engine is earmarked for a "freshen up". It is to be readied for yet another endurance cruise. This time in a Baja. Jason Lang of "DRAGBUS" fame and I are going to pair up to do the 2010 Treffen Cruise. Portland, OR to Ventura, CA. This cruise is a couple of days after I get back from Ensenada!

Oh yeah!
Then there's that second engine we want to build!
HA!


More soon.

~greg






 

[Greg Urrutia]

Another day of good stuff!

Caught the much anticipated call from Tiger at A1 Muffler today. Now that he has the VW Classic behind him, he was able to give some thought to Shasta Bus Sponsorship.
He offered up the Sidewinder for type 2 in either the ceramic finish or the raw steel. Based on his expertise and recommendation I went with the 1 1/2 in the raw finish. The 1 1/2 diameter will give us the torque we are looking for in the 2007cc we are building. The unfinished metal will allow us to make any welding repairs that might plaque us along the way. He mentioned he has a number of customers that participate in similar events and it is much easier to make welding repairs in countries like Mexico when the steel is not ceramic coated.
He also offered if we want to do ceramic down the road, it can be done at any time.
The system will be drop shipped to Wolfgang International to ensure it will be there when I arrive at the end of the week.

Ironically, the call from Tiger came in as I was dropping off the tranny at Porter's Precision Transaxles. Excited to share the good news with Ken, he inquired about other needs I might have for the Bus. I told him about the other items I still need to obtain, one of them being the external oil cooler. He then mentioned he had an unused oil cooler that was mine for the taking but I had to pull it myself. He directed me to his Bus and there it was, along with copper routing tubes ala Porsche style.
"You sure?" I asked.
He said it hasn't been hooked up since his last engine change and he had no need or desire to use it.
A few moments later I was holding what looks to be a Mesa 96 black cooler.
SCORE!
Thanks Ken!

[portersprecision]

I'm surprised you figured out the brand & model # so quick. That cooler was hanging under there not used since 1989, 21 years. I bought it in 84 from Wright Way machine, Santa Cruz . What makes me think I was going hook it back up in the next 21 years? At least now it has a home.

[Tom Simon]

After talking with Steve Philips at the Wolfgang International booth at the Classic, I've been dreaming up a revised Air Hog for the July Beetleball 24... the wheels inside my head are turning  :gum:

[Dean N]

[Tom Simon]

Hey Dean, your help last year was instrumental to Greg and I doing so well.

are you down to help with a Redding pit stop this year?

[Tom Simon]

I just got a report from Greg this morning...

He has been up in Redding working with Steve Philips (Wolfgang International) doing some final machine work, hand fitting every component on our 2 liter endurance motort since Friday morning.

"Everything is going together smoother than anticipated"  Greg reports "It will be ready to fire today or tuesday morning, I'll let you know how it goes"

Mister Phillips has this 'recipe' for a 2 liter, that he builds for his customers that want a powerful yet reliable street engine. He really likes it for his bus customers. Everyone who drives one of these engines says the same thing "Man! It's a stump-pulling tractor engine, and doesn't overheat, even in Redding pushing a bus"  Greg and I both heard this and were convinced this was what we needed. The plan is coming together...

[Greg Urrutia]

[JC Quick]

Very nice can't wait to read and see the video of ya'lls adventures

[Greg Urrutia]

I am ecstatic to announce yet another fantastic sponsor. We much thanks to another great backer, Ken Porter, we now have Anthony's Racing Products joining our team of fine sponsors.
Tony has offered us a generous amount of much needed product to help us reach out goals in this endeavor. With his support we have additional enthusiasm and determination to set the pace in the Unlimited Classes.
We we'll proudly carry his name as we travel through 3 countries with confidence.

Anthony's Racing Products
805 Mesa Vista Way
Auburn, CA 95603

Tony is an official distributor of performance items of the highest quality.
Names you recognize and trust including Brad Penn & Erco.
He can also help you with:
Transmission Components
Electronic Magnetos Distributors
Race Prep
Repair Work
& Professional Parts Cleaning

Add Anthony's Racing Components to the top of your list of High Performance Suppliers.
Northern California's best source for all your racing component needs.

Tell him you heard about his services from the Rally Bus dudes!

[Greg Urrutia]

The makings of a Hi Torque, High MPG, and 3800RPM all day long motor

2007cc
7.9:1 Compression
New Mag Full Flow Case (Machined By Ken Jansen)
Schadek 30mm Pump Modified for Full Flow (Prepped By Steve Phillips)
System 1 Oil Filter
Weber 40 IDF's (Prepped By Steve Phillips)
Performance Workshop Heads 40X35.5 (Ported, Polished, and Unshrouded by Steve Tim's)
90.5 Mahle Stroker Pistons & Cylinders
True Arc Wrist Pin Keepers (BUGPACK)
Engle 110
Aluminum Cam Gear (BUGPACK)
Stock Diameter Lazer Etched Aluminum Crank Pulley (BUGPACK)
Balanced 8 Dowel 78 Crank (Prepped By Steve Phillips)
Wizeman Black Lifters (Courtesy of Mike Lawless)
Deep Sump
8 Dowel Balanced Stock Weight Flywheel (Wolfgang International)
3/8 Aluminum Pushrods (BUGPACK)
Stock Fuel Pump (Modified by Steve Phillips)
Compufire 009
Bosch Blue Coil
Bosch Wires
Bosch W8CC Plugs
Original German Doghouse Sheet Metal
Bosch Alternator
Modified Original Heater Boxes (Wolfgang International)
German HD F&S Clutch & Spring Disc
1 1/2 A1 Sidewinder Exhaust System (Thank You Tiger at A1)
40WT Brad Penn Oil (Courtesy of Anthony's Racing Products)

Extreme Thanks to Steve Phillips and all the great staff at Wolfgang International with the mad skills.
Steve opened the doors of his machine shop and offered me a "Top Gun" type class of continued education. My engine building skills are good....he made me better.
He shared the techniques and knowledge he has accumulated over the many years he has been in the business. Innovation and the never ending quest to find a better way, Steve has provided me with a wealth of information that will be added to my everyday routines.

I can't thank Steve Phillips enough.
With the additional help of the many fine sponsors I have been blessed to work with, we have the all the support needed to complete a performance that may never be equaled.
More Soon!

[Greg Urrutia]

Huge gain in progress today!

Thank You Porter's Precision!
Although Ken is overwhelmed with regular customers in both VW Transaxle and Marine applications....he put things on hold and opened up his shop on this very busy 4th of July weekend to focus on the trans for the Shasta Bus.
I got to his shop about 11am today and we went at it to get the specialized tranny done. Although I was more of a hindrance than help, Ken directed me in the menial tasks that I was capable of doing ie. cleaning parts, painting, running for lunch, etc.
Bottom line is the trans is done and ready for final installation. Along the way Ken offered up the best of parts needed for the assembly when the tired and worked stuff I had did not fit the need for this build. A lot of modifications were made along the way and he always went above and beyond for this project.
I am very stoked to have his expertise to help us with this project.
6 hours later I made my way home with the finest transaxle possible for this endeavor. We did some math at the end and figured with the tire we are running.....
We should be able to maintain 84mph at 3800rpm!

AWESOME!!

THANK YOU KEN PORTER!