Tweaking my Beck 550

What is that stainless/chrome fixture for?

On the originals they had one on each side of the clam shell and each side of the fron hood they are for a hand held key. Mine as in most are cosmetic and do not lock but I think Beck, Vintage Spyders and others can add working ones if wanted.

 

Pete

Hey Pete.  I live in Norfolk VA but go to Charlottesville about every other weekend.  Do any of you NOVA guys ever get out that way?  My wife is going to Paris (girls trip) in December, the same week I have off.  Thought I would take the IM up to NOVA to see family and friends.  I grew up in Vienna.  Would like to try and hook up with some of the NOVA SOC members.  I would also love to see your Spyder.  Like you I would like to some day be a 356/550 owner.

I live in Alexandria, VA. Would be happy to meet up and need someone to look over my speedster for me.

If you can get it to Chambersburg PA I can go over the car for you ( about an hour of shop time) and make a grocery list  Get a hold of Shu...bring him along ,he knows where I live.

Wrt nova visit, start a thread on Events and organize it. There are a few others in the general area who might be willing to meet/greet, and maybe even eat/drink. Just sayin'

Scott

I drive a watercooled car.  And I'm no mechanic.  If you need an aircooled expert you should take your car to Alan.  

Starting a thread is a good idea.  I have off Dec 14-18.  Problem is that time of the year is a little iffy.  If it snows I'm taking the SUV.  If its nice I'm in the 356.  I also have awesome heat.  If its 20 degrees don't know how many will be out in their speedys.  Maybe I'll start a thread the week before if the weather looks decent.

I did start a thread in the Events section earlier, asking about a "cars and coffee" in the NVA area—and some one to drive my car and tell my what's missing/needs.

 

https://www.speedsterowners.com...ster-cars-and-coffee

 

December gets really cold here, depending where a meet-up might be I'd be willing. I have no heat!

Car looks great!

I figured out that "NVA" means northern Virginia (Only because Scott said he lived in Alexandria!)

 

But for the life of me I can't figure out where "NOVA" might be...unless it's cryptic for northen Virginia also.

so maybe should have said NoVa, would that have helped?  Sorta like DelMarVa, but different . . .

 

I'm from SOCANENROUTETOKEYWEST....

My apologizes, didn't even think of that. Yes both mean the same (NVA, NOVA). NoVa works too.  

 

I did look it up, and there are a dozens meanings behind NOVA. But Northern Virginia and Northern Virginia Community College come to mind. Also, our well known hospital system also uses the the NOVA acronym.

NOVA has been the traditional abbreviation for northern Virginia.  Was called NOVA in the 70s when I was growing up, still is.  I know the Mason Dixon line is a bit further north but I've always felt that the separation of north and south really exists somewhere between NOVA and Richmond.

Hey Phil,

 

PM me and I'll give you my # when your coming up this way you can call and maybe Syl and I could meet up with you. Sounds good if the Northern Virginia, DC and MD area contingent could do a local drive.  I'm heading to Great Falls C&C tomorrow morning.

 

Pete 

It looks like I need to start a fund-me thing here.

 

What I need is some extra cash to get a complete assortment of all Weber jets and emulsion tubes and spare parts.

 

Then along with my wideband O2 sensor, I can dial in all your carbs.

 

Then you can be as happy as I am with mine!

Danny,

 

I bit the bullet and did that a few years back with Dellorto jets. $500 or so gets you what you need. It's a bitter pill, but beats the heck out of trying something, needing something smaller or bigger, and waiting for a week or so for parts to come.

 

Reaming works, but nobody (you included) will ever know what you've got in there again. Love means never having to guess on a jet size.

I know I could sure use some of the skills you guys have. My 2008 Raby built 550 has duel EMPI HPMX 44's and I've got to get them tweaked. I've got a local guy who will look at them and hopefully help me out.  I just installed a new ReLine e-fuel pump, regulator and fuel pressure gauge. Got the pressure at 3 lbs. Got to check the timing etc.

 

I've borrowed a friends Delorto tech book but I'm too Chicken to touch the carbs.

 

Went to early morning C&C here at Great Falls VA and saw the real deal 550, was cool.

 

Pete 

Holy carp!! Some very cool stuff there. What IS that batmobile-sorta thing??  I am not so far from this venue that I could not come to visit, but 6:00 AM??! Not sure I could manage that -- too much of a night owl.  We'll see . . .

I saw the finned brake drums, Pete, and thought, "holy sh*t, is that an original?" even before I read your comment above. And I'm with Kelly- the early, prototype Batmobile is pretty cool too. That era turned out some neat cars!

 

I know what you mean, Stan; my box of Weber jets isn't quite as extensive as yours Del collection, but if you work on your own carbs it's way easier to try things when you have the stuff at your fingertips.

 

Pete- Adjusting Weber, their clones or Dellortos isn't that hard; it's listening and attention to details that matters. Before touching the carbs, valves, points (if your car has them) and timing adjustment first. If you can do the other stuff, you can adjust your carbs. It will be a learning process and you won't get it perfect the 1st (or 2nd, or 3rd...) time, but you'll get better at it, and the satisfaction of knowing your car that well is what it's about. If you get into it far enough that you decide to mess with the jetting, you don't need to do what Stan did and buy every size under the sun at first go (although that certainly is the way to attack the issue head on); note what your carbs have and buy a couple sizes up and/or down, depending on which way you think it needs to go (and how much you're comfortable spending at one time). And once you have a bit of a collection you may be able to trade with someone fairly close. Al

That was this morning at Great Falls? I had no idea this was going on today.

yeah that's the only bummer about Katie's C&C in Great Falls Va. if you're not there by 6:15 esp in the summer you won't find a parking spot that's any good.

 

Scott it's every Saturday morn provided the weather is good. Tons of cars.

 

The Batmobile is one of several one off hand built cars a local guy has so cool. I think he has at least 4 different hand built special cars, always a draw.

 

Good advice Al I guess the EMPI's are knock offs of the Webers and very similar.

 

Thanks,

 

Pete

Hard to believe that's a real 550.  Value is likely well above 7 figures.  Also can't believe he would fit a top to it.  Something seems a little fishy.  Did he ever open the bonnet?  Got to try to make it up there for Great Falls show.  Most people don't know this but NOVA is one of the richest places in the US.  Loudon Co is THE richest county in the US.  Folks in Great Falls are loaded.  Maybe it really is a real 550.

I just saw the finned aluminum brake drum ($$$) in one of the pics, Phil, and with the interior shot assumed it was real (not that our cars aren't real; maybe the better word is original). A full set of 356 brake drum assemblies goes for a pretty penny, and I like to think that someone with a fiberglass Spyder wouldn't be that concerned with trying to make it look like a factory offering. It would make more sense to put discs on it and put the money saved into more engine work or a 5 speed. 

Would like to see the 4 cam under the bonnet.  That would make me a believer.

I'm pretty sure it's real. The owner also has an original coup (one of the best I've ever seen as far as complete restoration). He was at some Porsche West Coast racing event recently and showed me some video of the event a few RSK's and lots of Speedsters. I don't know the story on the 550 how he acquired it but as I understand it, it was almost a total wreck when he got it and was went through a total restoration to bring it back to life. It was either in a crash or a fire I think. I did not look under the clam shell and I'm not sure all parts are real. Syl M. or others may know more on it's history. From what I saw inside and out except for not seeing the engine it sure looks real to me.

 

Pete   

OMG it's the lost James Dean spyder!

There's no way that's an original.it looks like beck seats,the bonnet is the hi arc version,unlike the original,and I never saw a real one with a speedster windshield.

I never said I knew what I was talking about...

 

I'll bet the Figaro is 100 per cent original and NO ONE's making a fuss about that.

 

 

Nova is a Chevy II.  Like this one.

Tom is right. That 550 has a speedster cowl which allows it to accept a speedster windshield (there were, however, real Spyders with speedster windshields).

 

Further, the gas cap is too far down the hood. Definitely a nice car, but not real!

 

Anand

 

I know for sure the #6 GT-40 isn't real because the original is being rebuilt in Georgia after the owner, Johann Vanderwyke, pranged it at a vintage race during  test/tune run at Mid-Ohio in late June. Johann lost it on a corner and side swiped a barrier.

 

Over all Johann told all of us in an e-mail that it was bad weekend for him, he lunched his engine in his '65 Lola Spyder racing it on Sunday also. He said his throttle linkage locked up when he went to downshift and the engine over revved.

He has the original numbers matching engine a 350/383 stroker Chevy that was pulled out to preserve it and just runs 350/383 stroker crate engines when he races the Lola

Agreed on the GT-40 I talked to the owner builder of this great looking and well done kit.

 

As for the 550 I still don't know the story on it. Syl might chime in here, he told me he thinks it has real parts. I wish I got better pic's but it was early and still somewhat dark. If I get the chance I'll ask the owner next time.

 

Pete

Looking at the Spyder, it is a cleverly detailed replica IMHO. I have seen Spyders with Porsche drum brakes a few times before.

 

Windshield, wipers, top are all key replica cues. High rear fenders another. No crossbar under the seats to mount the handbrake and shifter to. But the biggie for me is the gas spigot under the dash. You can just see under the dash, that there is a downward bump to accommodate the spigot on a Bug tank. Also, the filler sticks out from the hood too far, the filler is too far away from the windshield, and the top of the cowl is curved for the Speedster windshield.

 

Should I keep going? Or is that enough to say replica?

You have me convinced, Danny. I'm good!