Share Your 2011 Winter Cobra Projects, Fixes, or Upgrades? - Page 2

Pman1961 · #21 (**permalink**) 12-19-2010, 07:53 AM

I'll be removing my 351w 385hp crate motor of 2300 miles and installing a 408w. Swapping my TKO500 for a TKO600 .82 5th. Having my sidepipes reworked for better flowing characteristics. I have all my parts in the den. Ordered many parts including heads from Keith Craft Racing. I was originally going to do the assembly, etc. but I have to many other projects and just want it to get done this winter. So I plan on removing and taking the motor to Keith Craft for assembly and dyno. My plans of removing the motor early to mid December have now changed to end of the month or definitely beginning of the year. I'll have plenty of parts for sale if any one is interested.

Hitch · #22 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 06:14 PM

I hurt the motor in the Cobra about 5 months ago and it took me a month to even recognize that I had to do something because I did a leak down, compression check and removed the pan and saw no problems. Then after buttoning it all back up I took it around the block and heard more metallic noises when I engine braked the car when I came up to a stop sign. Then another two months to determine if I was going to use this block or buy a new motor.

Once I was able to determine that the block was salvageable the Machine shop purgatory began. 351W bored and stroked to 421 with Cleveland mains, Victor Jr heads, Eagle H-beam rods, Forged pistons and crank, Lunati hydraulic roller cam and Pro-Mag rockers. I got the short block back about three weeks ago and then I did the final assembly two weeks ago. I finally was able to put the motor back in the car yesterday..

I was able to press the distributor gear off today and install the new brass gear. I was hoping to fill the coolant system today but I need to chase down a small leak after I put a gallon in I saw a drip but I can't see right now where it came from. Other than that if I can find time in the next few days I can fire this ole girl up..

The original carnage...

This really shows the piston damage.. It sounded fine running down the road until I would engine brake it then predetonation would occur and pieces of the piston would get sucked back into the intake and deposited in the adjoining cylinders...

After determining that what I have was rebuildable the parts ordering began and the machining began as well

I did slam the motor back in yesterday with the efforts of a number of friends... Mike L, Bill B, Mike M, Eric and Tommie.. Thanks guys for your efforts.. I should have her fired before Christmas or shortly after.

Dave

autobody prof. · #23 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:22 PM

Finishing my Pacific Roadster. Plumbing and wiring. After that it's off the the upholstery shop. Plan is to have it finished by the first of March. But that was also the the plan for last August.

Don

rodneym · #24 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:35 PM

Magnesium wheels...I hope!

RodKnock · #25 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodneym

Magnesium wheels...I hope!

Hope and $3.50 will get you a latte at your nearest coffee house.

Keep wishing and then maybe I'll have a winter project too.

1. Change oil and filter, seems like I just did that.

2. Change out tailights to LED's per Patrick's thread.
3. Drive the car could be an important winter project, but it'll have to stop raining first. Otherwise........
4. Sit in car in garage and make vrooom vrooom noises.

ERA Chas · #26 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

2. Change out tailights to LED's per Patrick's thread.

So you're going to take the ERA stigma and make it a KMP stigma? The K'Bros will not answer your calls...

There goes your spot in the Registry...

lnfletcher · #27 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 01:47 PM

Plans are to remove the salt flat open 2.75 gears in the rear and install a new 3.50 posi pumpkin. Ordered yesterday and should be in by the end of the week!

RodKnock · #28 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

So you're going to take the ERA stigma and make it a KMP stigma? The K'Bros will not answer your calls...

There goes your spot in the Registry...

My registry spot is safe and secure.

You do realize that I'm NOT contemplating that ridiculous "Close Encounters" upgrade that Patrick drilled into his rear trunk light?

I'm thinking of replacing the 1157's (or whatever). What, you no likey?

dallas_ · #29 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 02:01 PM

Winter project is to get the bodywork complete.

Almost done with the tilt front and hood louvers. (I know, I know

)

ERA Chas · #30 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You do realize that I'm NOT contemplating that ridiculous "Close Encounters" upgrade that Patrick drilled into his rear trunk light?

I'm thinking of replacing the 1157's (or whatever). What, you no likey?

PHEWwwww-you had me there a minute. Take it easy with such complex and dangerous tasks as replacing the 1157's...

RodKnock · #31 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

PHEWwwww-you had me there a minute. Take it easy with such complex and dangerous tasks as replacing the 1157's...

Well, I do think I have at least some taste.

As for the 1157's, well at this point, lifting off the car cover could be considered a winter project for me.

mkassab · #32 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010, 05:13 AM

I'm doing many items:
Adjust valve lash, new valve cover gaskets
Change Oil, filters, trans and rear end oils
add a new timing mark and timing tape to the 11:00 position
change, fabricate bracket and add a new clutch slave cylinder (I'll post a separate thread on this)
Safety wire my rotors to hub bolts
add/install fresh air ducts to foot wells (I'll post a separate thread on this)
chk all bolts/nuts
repack front wheel bearings and seals
balance and alignment
bleed brakes and clutch with new fluid
Fabricate and install small motorcycle side mirror to windshield frame

Mark

209 · #33 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010, 08:33 AM

Repair a seeping Dana 44 and REPLACE a Roush sbf with one of Keith's!

We'll see. 209

Silverback51 · #34 (**permalink**) 04-19-2011, 04:33 PM

One of the items I wanted to replace on the Cobra was the Quick Jacks. The ones on the car were polished stainless steel, that did not have the greatest finish, and the welds were not very clean.

So the last couple weekends I milled some out of aluminum angle. Thought about polishing them, but after I did a quick brushed finish on them I decided I like them better.

One side benefit was I knocked a little over 5 pounds off the car. I know, I could do the same by passing up some beer and pizza, but I would still be ugly, and this way the car looks better.

The pictures show both versions, both on the car and on the work bench.

Fullchat289 · #35 (**permalink**) 04-20-2011, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback51

One side benefit was I knocked a little over 5 pounds off the car. I know, I could do the same by passing up some beer and pizza, but I would still be ugly, and this way the car looks better.

....got a chuckle out of this....

Well executed car diet!

I posted some of my Winter 2011 plans earlier in this thread, but the result of my continuing exploits can be found here: Ownership Log – ERA#2124

- Allen.

mdross1 · #36 (**permalink**) 04-22-2011, 03:05 AM

Sold one of our muscle cars,time to put a hardtop on the Cobra.Really enjoy driving the car with softtop and side curtains/windows.A real thrill hearing the drivetrain and engine without all the wind buffetting.Also need to come up with better side mirror done trying to look over rear fender for the law.Did make up an neat extension for the rear view,to see out the back with softtop on.