spf with 514 carte motor

millennium200 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 06:12 PM

The wife and I flew out to Boise, ID on 4/13/02 and purchased a spf with 514 crate motor and a TKO. We drove the spf back to our home in North Carolina -- 3517 miles. We took the long way home via Phoenix, AZ on I-10. We averaged 11.6 mpg. We developed an intermittent miss only 50 miles from Boise. We stopped in Provo, UT and called the only cobra people that we knew in Provo -- the Kirkhams. Even though it was not their car, they had us bring the car to their shop. Thomas found the problem in about 5 minutes -- a cracked distributor cap. They had a cap delivered to their shop and had us running shortly. For you folks with the means to buy the best cobra from the best people, you should buy from the Kirkhams. The car ran great for the rest of the trip, even though we ran through high winds, with gusts over 75 mph, rain, sleet, snow, and baked through Arizona, New Mexico, and South Texas. We had a smile the whole way.

HIQ · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2002, 04:53 PM

Car sounds great. Please post some pictures when you get a chance. What temp does the 514 run at on the highway?

The best thing about this site and this industry are the great people involved - The Kirkhams are First Class!

millennium200 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2002, 09:43 PM

On open highway, the car runs about 78 to 80c. In heavy traffic, the temperature goes to 90c where the fans kick on and the car cools down quickly. And as I found out today, the car only had water in the cooling system with no antifreeze. Will post pictures when I can bribe my brother-in-law to scan them.

grumpy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2002, 10:57 AM

Boy, now you've made us all jealous, what a drive, scenery, remote roads, and I'll bet the smile is still there. If you take a couple o strips of scotch tape tape on the upper front of your cheeks and pull down to adhere to the lower part of your chin I think you'll be okay and people can't see that silly grin. Don't know how long it might take to take a set and look normal, probably several rolls, cheaper at Walmart.

Grumpy

millennium200 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2002, 10:25 PM

You are correct that I still have a large grin on my face! However, even after 8 days in my SPF going across this great country, I am already dreaming about my next trip. I may try the Florida Keys in Feburary, or if I can't wait that long, the NC Outerbanks this summer. I really found traveling long distance more fun than I could have possibly imagined. I had forgotten how much fun a convertible could be. My last one was in the late 1970's -- a Datsun 2000. To be able to see and smell all the things along the way was a unexpected pleasure. And believe me, some places look and smell better than others. Since getting home, I have been preping the SPF for its next outing.

Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2002, 06:16 AM

Millennium 200,

I sure hope you and the Mrs. can bring that new beauty to the DVSF! I don't know what's happening with SPF guys, but lately they have been registering at a rate faster than all the others combined!

DV - Just think, what will it be like when we look back at the "good old days" when we ONLY had 300 Cobras!