Oil cooler shroud.

Tony Radford · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2005, 06:58 PM

Why didn't you guys tell me I was insane for wanting to install an oil cooler shroud? I ordered the Finishline box per suggestion (and against their recommendation). After a half a day of serious surgery to make it fit my car, I realized that my oil cooler was not the one that fits that box. So, I spent another several hours modifying the box to fit my oil cooler which of course resulted in the creation of a structure that hardly even resembled what I received from Finishline. A few trips to the Depot for tools and hardware, and to Ace for aluminum sheets, I fabricated and installed the various pieces. Since the aluminum was a bit thinner that I liked, I had to install a layer of galvanized steel underneath to make it rigid. Between the cost of materials, the Finishline box, shipping, tools for assembly (including shears and a Greenlee hole punch set) and the time spent destroying my garage and body (lots of lost blood due to numerous lacerations on both hands and arms), I could probably have paid Carrol Shelby to do it and come out ahead.

At least it's over and will probably look pretty good after I wipe all the blood stains off of the new parts.

ToyCollector · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2005, 07:34 PM

Tony, sorry to hear the news but sounds like you are proud of the work which you should be. However, even better news is you now have the perfect qualifications for Kirkham ownership given what you learned today. I had to do some re-fabrication to the oil shroud on my car as well to fit the oil cooler (that I bought from them) .

P.S. at least we all had good crappy weather for working on car stuff this weekend.

Tony Radford · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 03:34 AM

Mike, one thing I'm clear about is that I definitely lack the patience to build one of these puppies from scratch. Fortunately, my blood type is O Positive, so additional units are not terribly difficult to find. I cleaned some surfaces with alcohol and WOA MAMA!!!. I got teary.

GeorgiaSnake · #4 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 04:38 AM

See - I told you it was an easy project

I also told you I had all the tools you would need

I think I also told you to buy the sheet goods - or come by the house and take my left overs

Your head is much harder than it looks

I can't help you with the blood - unless you can figure out how to get mine off the floor and reconstitute it.

Randy

Cracker · #5 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 06:41 AM

Randy

TR - I feel your pain - literally!

I once took my oil cooler out of the car for cleaning which required removing the shroud - that's not fun either!

At least you know how it went in and how it should come out which is really the one of the best parts of Cobra ownership. Your wounds will heal.

Tony Radford · #6 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 06:49 AM

The only way that oil cooler is coming out is with dynamite. If it ever springs a leak, I'll let the next owner deal with it because it will definitely be on the block.

As for the wounds, I have tourniquets under each armpit. The dizziness is starting to fade as I've been eating lots of fruit. I also found out that my hydraulic bleeding pump will also inject glucose directly into the blood stream. After a few days of recovery, I'll be ready to line my engine bay with aluminum sheeting.

GeorgiaSnake · #7 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony Radford

After a few days of recovery, I'll be ready to line my engine bay with aluminum sheeting.

Use tinfoil - it doesn't cut your hands / fingers - and it will match that motor of yours

Randy

Alex Donghi · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2005, 09:10 AM

TC knows where to find greenlee punches

Do you think galvanized steel and aluminium is a good mix???