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Old 04-03-2022, 11:32 AM
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CompClassics CompClassics is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Carlsbad, Ca
Cobra Make, Engine: SAI FIA, 289HP (5-bolt), 48IDA Webers
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That’s the problem with some people, they do not realize what it takes to fabricate the end result with these kinds of hand made parts. Let alone utilize all the same procedures and tools that SAI used to fabricate the parts. Then there is the finish that was applied to the parts, painted or cadmium finished.
Then there’s the parts that are originally castings, patterns have to be produced, parts have to be cast (usually in minimum quantities), castings have to be machined and then properly finished as per the originals.
I know all about these costs as I reproduce parts as stated above, they are very expensive and TIME consuming. How much is your time worth?

Here’s a perfect example………

I fabricate all the SAI versions of the 260/289 competition Cobra Weber throttle linkages for both the opposed and the parallel intake manifold variations. Not only do I have to hand fabricate all the individual levers for the carbs I hand fabricate the, bell crank tower, the bell crank arm, rivet the bell crank arm and bearing, fabricate the push/pull rods, track down the original type rod end bearings and bell crank bearing that have not been manufactured in decades and cost at least $100 each, fabricate the manifold center shaft rod, fabricate the aluminum hex bar links, fabricate the center shaft levers after having a tool made to properly form the levers, then there’s the cadmium plating. I also provide all the correct period hardware not the stuff you get at the local hardware store.
I do this because SAI spent the time and energy to make these Weber systems WORK on the cars they were racing, that is hard earned development time that no one running these systems can reproduce themselves. Yeah you can go buy somebody else’s “Weber linkage” for a fraction of the cost of mine and 9 times out of 10 you will be cursing at your Weber system because it does not operate correctly and 9 times out of 10 it will be because of the throttle linkage, inferior rod ends or the way that it was setup that is causing the problem.

Last edited by CompClassics; 04-03-2022 at 02:51 PM..
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