Well the celebrations must have been good
Hm. I love that conclusion! The truth is far from it...
I am a lousy, reckless, clueless mechanic!!!
Let me explain why.
When race prepping a set of cases, there are a lots of plugs, bores, threads that need to be taken care of. The "new" cases I wanted to use had an oil pump installed, but no plastic gear. When it comes to assembling the clutch, I found some signs of wear to my old version hub. I thought I might have a clutch lying around with that nice hollow pin design. So I started digging into my boxes and shelves, and found all washers, pins and stuff to make it complete! Then it was lunch. Back again, happy about my findings, I tightened the nut and the springs. The test start went surprisingly well and we set off to Norway (some 7 hour drive). For the first training session I was VERY cautious about not putting too much load on the engine before coolant temp was well over 60 degC. That took longer time than usual, probably because of my new coolant system (twin parallel coolers). After some 4 laps temperature was close to 65 degC, so I decided to open up the throttle a little. After on straight and a chikane, the power dropped and within the wink of an eye the engine seized and at some 140 km/h the rear wheel stopped! I held it upright and rolled into the pits. The anger and disappointment was at a level unheard of.
I had another 7h drive back home to figuring out why the engine seized. The next day I disassembled the engine to confirm my suspicions. The gear for the oil pump was never mounted...
I know all the golden rules about mechanic, assembling, testing and still I managed to make such a shameful Altzheimer rookie mistake! :furious:
So. New piston, sleeve, new intake valves and guides, refurbished rod and crank, is what this ***** mistake cost me. The cylinder head is strong and was intact and I didn't crash, if trying to see something positive in this black hole.
All efforts are now being done to get the engine back together in time for the races first and second of August. hopefully with some practise before that.
Please comfort me!