The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 24

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1977 PAGE 24 -THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR MXGEXUiTY KETUUXS TO HACK Ingenious Powerplant Wins Engineer Award YJ car design, possessing double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. They actually are a later version of the Formula I head, the type being used by the others at the Speedway, in that they are a bit longer due to the Vega having a greater distance between cylinder bore centers and greater water capacity. Bubenik said that considerable modification was needed to adapt the Vega head to a Speedway engine. "WE INSTALLED all stainless steel valves," Bob said. "And we cut a groove around each cylinder for "0'' rings to seal the high pressures.

"Then there is the usual porting job. We enlarged the intake ports a hundred thousandths and knocked out a few baffles for better water flow." There has been some comment that problems were encountered in getting heat out of the heads, but Bubenik discounted this. "We have reversed the flow pattern," he said. "The cold water goes into the head first instead of into the block." In using a head which was designed for an upright engine such as used in the Vega to one which is horizontal, there were some lubrication problems encountered. In the Vega, the oil would drain out of the head.

Lying flat, it wouldn't, so sump pumps were incorporated on both heads to pull the oil out. In addition, oil metering holes were drilled in the camshaft lobes to lubricate the cup follower tappets. THE HORIZONTAL layout necessitated building special cam covers containing sump cavities so the oil could be scavenged. Unlike the Vega engine where the block and upper part of the crankcase are integral, the blocks on the Crower are separate components made of aluminum and have centrifugal cast iron liners press fitted into the cylinder bores. The crankcase itself consists of two half sections which bolt around the crankshaft.

Ten through bolts hold the case assembly together. In its cast form, the top and bottom of the case are open. The top is closed off with a cover which contains both main oil galleries and also acts as a mounting stand for the magneto and top engine mount. The bottom is closed off via a housing containing three-gear pumps which both feed and scavenge the dry sump lubrication system. In a dry sump system, the oil is carried in a separate oil reservoir instead of in the oil pan.

A VERY interesting facet about the engine is that unlike the accepted procedure in racing engines of driving the camshafts by gears the Crower flat-8 drives the cams by a special timing belt built by Goodyear. The belt contains a synthetic "Flex 10" fiber ten-si which eliminates stretching which would change the timing on the engine. Bubenik said it was difficult to estimate the investment put Into building the powerplant in that much of the work was done during evening hours and in spare time. "I would estimate if you had to go out and hire 'the work done," he said, "you would have $75,000 to $100,000 invested. We did it on a limited budget." The opposed engine concept is receiving increasing attention for Speedway racing.

An opposed-6 project is being studied at Louis Meyer, by the Patrick Racing Team's chief mechanic George Bignotti and engine man Louis (Sonny) Meyer, Jr. The design layout offers the advantage of lowering the center of gravity, a factor which assists speed in the turns, and a number of knowledgeable racing mechanics feel that this type engine rather than the configuration will be the racing powerplant of the future. night with the Society of Automotive Engineers' car design award in recognition of the unusual power-plant. (Star Photo by Frank H. Fisse) AWARD WINNERS Engineers Robert Bubenik (left) end Bruce Crower look over the flat-8 powerplant in the No.

57 Eagle being driven at the Speedway by Jerry Karl. Bubenik and Crower will be honored to- STAXIMHTT OX. OFF TRACK Fame Tabs Arnold PIT PASS By GEORGE MOORE Ingenuity appears to be returning to the Speedway. The Indiana Chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers announced yesterday that the winners of the 11th annual SAE Indianapolis Race Car Design Award were Bruce Crower and Bob Bubenik for their Crower flat-8 racing engine which is being used by Jerry CROWER AND Bubenik will be formally presented their award at the SAE's race meeting in the Marriott Inn tonight. Also included in the decision by the engineering organization to honor the two California racing engineers was the inclusion of the Crower centrifugal-type clutch as part of the engine-clutch package.

"We're greatly honored to be chosen for the award," Bruce said. "We think it's the engine type of the future." The Crower flat-8 is just that, flat. The powerplant has two banks of four cylinders lying 180 degrees opposite each other, part of the engine having a relationship to the Chevy Cosworth Vega and part manufactured by Crow- er's performance parts manufacturing company in Chula Vista, Calif. THE ENGINE is the design work of Grower's chief engineer, Bubenick, who said the project took about 3i months from paper to the first engine. The effort got a big boost by the incorporation of the Chevy Cosworth Vega heads to the opposed cylinder blocks of the flat-8.

These Vega heads, which were offered on a model produced by the Chevrolet Motor Division for a period, actually are a takeoff on the Cosworth racing heads being usedi by Tom Sneva, Johnny Rutherford and Al Unser. The Vega heads were straight race GRIM GREETINGS Jerry Grant, his the wall coming out of turn three liu.j, 1 1 Pill mi WtSV t. ttffift, it gh i I i i -f i- 4 1 -y-t 4 Si 1 innniw aw -J i WW" T7Z Xi- jf 4 IK KW 4 1 'v v4 1 sorption, an oil check which can identify micro metallic elements in the oil after an engine has been run for at least 20 minutes in a stationary position or after a few laps around the track. The second piece of equipment is an Infra red Spectrophotometer, a fuel check procedure, which is a check and balance system to make sure that the fuel is within the USAC specifications. The services are conducted by USAC Nondestructive Testing Committee headed by Leonard E.

Wechsler. A PARADOX has occurred at the Speedway this May with the continuing heat, humidify and no rain. For years it was a standard procedure for drivers, mechanics and owners alike to complain bitterly about the fact that the rain kept washing away the groove and they could not get up to speed. Now these same people are on the horn about the same thing only in reverse. They're screaming about no rain and that its absence is letting the rubber and oil build up so they can't get up to speed.

MILE RACE to the FAIRGROUNDS Covered Grandstand $7.00 $4.00 Children under 12 $1.00 espousing the cause for A.J.'s horses. "I'm still ahead," Bud said. "But one of them is still running somewhere." Now where has that tale been heard before. A FIXTURE AT the Speedway and in the town of Speedway itself is leaving the scene shortly after this year's race. Pat Vidan, who has been the flag man at the 500 for many years, has sold his health studio in Speedway and is moving back to Portland, around the first of August.

Pat told Tony Hulman he would be willing to come back if Hulman wanted him to handle the flags. "You've been a legend here," Tony said. TWO MORE services have been added to the trackside laboratory in the United States Auto Club's headquarters. The first is an Atomic Ab The famed USAC 100 STOCK CAR Returns INDIANA STATE Reserved Tickets: General Admission: Infield No. 69 car, hits during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday.

Grant escaped unhurt from the crash. (Star Photo by Rick Lane) CRVGUET CONCEDES COR3MORAXT SI AS Hall Of Auto racing's Hall of Fame nominated only one member this year, but he was one of the greats of yesteryear. Billy Arnold, winner of 1930 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, was chosen to join the select group based upon balloting by the 100 members of the selection committee earlier this month. ARNOLD DROVE five times at the Speedway beginning in 1928 when he finished seventh. A real' "charger" type of chauffeur, he won the 1930 race in Harry Hartz' front-wheel drive Miller-Hartz car at an average speed of 100.448 miles an hour.

He established a performance never equalled to this day by taking the lead on the third lap and never being headed. In both 1931 and 1932, he was in the lead when he went over the north turn wall. Following (his racing career, Arnold had a distinguished career in business and in the military, retiring with the rank of brigadier general. He died Nov. 10, 1976.

HORSEPOWER OF another sort was the subject of conversation in the ga rage area yesterday, mainly the activities of A. J. Foyt's horses at Louisville and who lost and who won. A winner all the way was Diane Gilmore, the better half of Foyt's sponsor, Gilmore Racing, for a very fundamental reason. Mrs.

Gilmore didn't get to bet, as she and husband Jim had to return to Kalamazoo, on other business this week. Mrs. Gilmore was sure, however, she would have knocked 'em dead in Louisville. Crew man Bud Moyer, though, was position to be in, we certainly drew it," said Cormorant's jockey, Danny Wright, who was wearing a T-shirt with the words "Seattle Who." In fairness to Seattle Slew, it should be noted the slogan was originated by the followers of Royal Ski, who since has fallen by the wayside in the Triple Crown campaign. But Cruguet was unmoved by arguments about a track bias.

"To me, if that can hurt your horse he don't belong in the race," he said in his heavy French accent. Trainer Billy Turner also explained his reasons for running Seattle Slew in the Preakness with the medication Bu-tazolidin, a powerful "aspirin" legal in Maryland racing. "We know it's going to be a very fast (hard) race track," Turner said. "There's no point in leaving any stone unturned." TV Sports This Weekend TODAY PRO BASEBALL Baltimore ys. New York, Ills p.m., channel a.

PRO GOLF Memorial Golf Tournament coyer-age, 2:30 p.m., Channel I. WIDE WORLD OP SPORTS European La-dies Gymnastics Championships, 500 qualifications coverage, Preakness coverage, 3 p.m., Channel 13. HORSE RACING Preakness, 4:40 p.m., Channel 13. TOMORROW NBA CHAMPIONSHIP Philadelphia s. Pert-land in first gama of championship series, Uilt p.m., Channel I.

AMERICAN SPORTSMAN 1 p.m., Channel PRO GOL.P Memorial Golf Tournament cover, so, 1 p.m., Channel 0. TENNIS Biom Bon-Sue Barker ys. Arthur Ashe-Evonna Goolagong In World Invitational Tournament (lape), 3:30 p.m., Channel 13. 500 QUALIFICATIONS 4:30 p.m., Channel it p.m., Channel 13. WE BUY ALL USED CARS TRUCKS ASK FOR LARRY GRAY IT 5 Early Preakness Favorite Slew 3 Baltimore (UPI) Seattle Slew's jockey, Jean Cruguet, conceded Cormorant might have an advantage in today's 102d running of the Preakness with the rail position at Pinlico, but also said the Kentucky Demy's chief challenger needs some sort of edge.

Asked about the marked bias of the Pimlico track toward front-runners on the rail, the French jockey said, "The inside horse is going to need that if he's going to beat me." Karen and Mickey Taylor's Seattle Slew, unbeaten in seven races and seeking to become the first Triple Crown winner with a perfect record, will face eight rivals in today's Preakness, the second jewel of the American Triple Crown. SEATTLE SLEW WAS listed as the 3-5 early line favorite for the 1 3-1 6th mile Preakness, which is a sixteenth of a mile shorter than the Kentucky Derby. If all nine starters make it to the 4:40 p.m. EST nationally-televised (Channel 13) post, the Preakness will have a total purse of $191,100, with a winner's share of $138,000. Charles T.

Berry's Cormorant, the winner of seven straight races before losing by a nose last week in his conie- 1 AM)VAXTAGE9 Preakness Field Baltlmort (AP) TM field fir tuuyi Priakniu onar 1 Inth mi In at Pimlico: PP HORSE JOCKEY ODDS 1. Cormorant Wright 4-1 J. Counter Punch 6. McCarron 10-1 J-Sir Sir PlnMa30-I 4. Rtnal Sir C.

McCarron M-l 5. Hey Hey J.p Gilbert 30-1 6. J.O. Tobin Shoemaker 10-1 7. Jron Ccnstltition Velasouel 101 I.

Seattle Slew Cruguet 3-S e. Run Dusly Run McHarguo 9-1 OWNERS 1, Charles T. Berry 1, John E. Hughes; 1. La Luna Stable! John B.w.

Carmichael; S. Fait Pierina stable; a. Et Peco Ranch; 7, Harry T. Mangurian Karen Taylor; t. Golden Chance Farm.

WEIGHTS All carry 121 bounds. Gross yalue sifl, 100 with nine starters; $13800 to winner, S30.0OO to second, to third, S7.S00 to fourth. POST TIME 4:49 s.nt EST (Channel 11, 4-5 p.m.) back from a month's layoff, was listed as the second choice at 4-1 and Golden Chance Farm's Run Dusty Run, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, was 8-1. Last year's 2-year-old champion in England, EI Peco Ranch's .0. Tobin, was listed at 10-1 and will have the benefit of jockey Bill Shoemaker's expertise.

Harry Mangurian's Iron Constitution, who beat Cormorant in last week's Withers Mile at Aqueduct, also was listed at 10-1. The four longshots completing the field are John Hughes' Counter Punch, La Luna Stable's Sir Sir, John B. W. Carmichael's Regal Sir and Fast Pierina Stable's Hey Hey J.P. A TYPICAL WARM, hazy Baltimore summer day was forecast for the Preakness, whose infield activities include a lacrosse game and an assortment of bands.

Cruguet discounted the importance of the rail, but Maryland's leading rider, Chris McCarron, who will ride Regal Sir, gave this assessment: "If you're on the fence here and in front you have a much better chance of getting home first." Then, as if to punctuate his statement, McCarron went out and won the 1 MGth mile first race by taking the lead along the rail of the backstretch and easily holding on in the stretch. "If ever there was a avorabk post Qual. 6 PM Race 8:30 PM TONIGHT MA 21 SPONSORED BY ARBY'S ROAST BEEF OF CENTRAL INDIANA IJti a a Fl CHALLENGER'S SPIRIT Exercise rider Mike Smith's shirt expresses tha-sentiments of the Cormorant crew yesterday as second choice for today's Preaknoss. Cormorant, who drew the pole, absorbs a bath. He was gien 4-1 odds for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

(UPI Photo).