Excalibur Owners: Please Reply! - Page 5

BLACKJACK · #81 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 10:55 AM

HI,

IN YOUR RECENT POST YOU DESCRIBED YOUR 1996 EXCALIBUR AS HAVING A 302 TRUCK BLOCK AND HAVING A/C.

MY 1995 HAS A 302 HO ENGINE WITH A/C AND WE TRIED TO INSTALL A KENNE-BELL. IT FIT THE ENGINE JUST FINE BUT THE HOOD WOULD NOT COME CLOSE TO CLOSING (LACKED ABOUT 4 INCHES AT THE REAR OF CLOSING).

WE DISCUSSED ALTERING THE HOOD BUT DECIDED THAT LITTLE SHORT OF "BUTCHERING" IT WOULD MAKE IT FIT.

* * IS THE TRUCK ENGINE LOWER THAN THE 302 HO ???

* * DID YOU HAVE TO MODIFY THE HOOD AT ALL ???

* * HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET IT TO FIT ???

* * IS YOUR MECHANICS NAME MR. HOUDINI ???

I'D LOVE TO INSTALL A KENNE-BELL IN MY EXCALIBUR

THE SHOP I USE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO ARRANGE, IN ADVANCE, WITH THEIR SUPPLIER, TO BE ABLE TO RETURN THE UNIT WITHOUT COST IF IT DIDN'T FIT.

THE SHOP I USE HAS SOME REALLY CREATIVE GUYS WHO DO A LOT OF WORK ON COBRAS. IF THERE IS SOME TRICK THAT WE MISSED I'D SURE APPRECIATE HEARING ABOUT IT.

THANKS, AND, Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Excaliber · #82 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 11:21 AM

Blackjack,

No no, that wasn't me that had the truck block OR the AC, ha ha! I do recall someone mentioning that setup though.

I have the HO engine. I bet the truck block is the SAME over all deminsions though! My Excalibur DOES have the evaportator installed next to the heater, but no AC compressor, condensor, etc. I bet they ALL have the Evap installed also!

I think an AC compressor would fit on the left hand side of the engine how ever, and have considered putting one on. More seriously considering a Super Charger which would mount on the RIGHT hand side of the engine. I know a Mustang with one that is way LOWER than the top of the EFI manifold and it looks like it would clear the right hand fender area, a VORTEC model I believe.

I'm going to take extensive measurments and pics of his installation before I "go for it". I was almost SURE that Excalibur offered a Kenne Bell unit as an option, so HOW did they do that? Special model SC? Mounted low not high? Sorry I can't help you out here, but I sure appreciate your feedback on what does and doesn't work!

Did you get new four pot claipers yet? The Dynalite Wilwoods I got are an EXACT match and they work great!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #83 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 11:42 AM

THANKS, ERNIE:

I WAS DIRECTING THE INQUIREY TO "B. SMITH". WHO POSTED A LITTLE EARLIER DESCRIBING HIS CAR.

I DO HAVE AN OPERATING A/C IN MINE. IT'S GREAT WITH THE HARD TOP. ON THE WAY DRIVING TO DVSF II (IN 96 DEGREE WEATHER) I REMARKED TO SOME OF THE OTHER GUYS, WHO WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT, THAT I KNEW IT WAS BAD BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE THE A/C CRANKED ALL THE WAY UP TO "MEDIUM". THEY TRIED TO PUSH MY CAR OVER A CLIFF WITH ME IN IT.

MY ALTERNATOR IS ON THE RIGHT AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR ON THE LEFT. THE KENNE-BELL FITS THE ENGINE BEAUTIFULLY. THE PROBLEM IS I COULDN'T CLOSE THE HOOD.

I'M CURIOUS AS TO HOW B. SMITH'S K.B. FITS WITH THE HOOD AND IF THE ENGINE BLOCK HEIGHT IS DIFFERENT.

PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED ON WHAT YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE VORTEC MODEL I. I LIKE THE K.B. BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER BOOST AT LOW ENGINE RPM AND THE FACT THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO RELOCATE THE A/C COMPRESSOR OR THE ALTERNATER.

THANKS, AND, HAVE A REALY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

ohekk · #84 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 11:47 AM

Jack,

Check with Jay Nordstom as I recall he worked on Scott Lougheed's #106 Excalibur with the Kenne Bell supercharger.

My research indicates only two left the factory so equiped.

I'll do some diggin'

Tom

PS: #071 is for sale here in Milwaukee..equiped with NOS and
is supposed to be rather quick. "Runs like a lady but can be
a real "B_tch" on demand!

Excaliber · #85 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 11:55 AM

Oops! Ha ha, I see you were talking to B. Smith. Wanted to push you over the cliff,,,,,thats funny!

Ernie

Excaliber · #86 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 11:05 AM

Pic of B. Smiths KENNE BELL SC.

MAKE A NOTE BLACK JACK! The hood is "special"!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #87 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 07:56 PM

LOOKS GREAT,

I COULD LIVE WITH THAT HOOD.

THANKS, AND HAVE AREALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

ohekk · #88 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 08:47 PM

Looks very similar to the hood on Excalibur #200 the Black 2002 "R&D" Cobra with the 4.6L Cobra engine.

I don't recall seeing a mold for that when I visted the factory.

Tom

Best I can find only two Excaliburs sold with the Kenne Bell
supercharger...maybe the hoods were modified by hand?

ohekk · #89 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 08:55 PM

I've located #164 Red/white stripes 5.0 5 spd
original owner

Excaliber · #90 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 10:09 PM

Apologies are in order! I might be selling my Excal as I contemplate (NOT SURE, JUST THINKING ABOUT) a JBL.

The Excal is truly a GREAT car, wish I could have both, lol. Everytime I compare it to any "local" Cobra around here I walk away thinking,,,,"Man, I got a very nice Cobra indeed"!

Ernie

ohekk · #91 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 10:25 PM

Just don't come crying when it's gone

I guess I'm lucky as I've gotten to know 8 other Excalibur owners in the area here and they all love their cars.

I've also met a few FFR,ERA,CRL and SPF owners...and they love their cars too.

Ernie...keep the Excalibur as a daily driver (as they were intended) and buy a real race car and beat the living daylights out of that!

Excaliber · #92 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 11:24 PM

That also is something I'm thinking about, buying a car strictly to race. That would allow me to keep the Excal, which would be cool. How 'bout, get a trailor for the race car, bumper hitch on the EXCAL???? Whoa! That would make a heck of a tow vehicle and still get the Excal to the track, ha ha!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #93 (**permalink**) 09-26-2002, 12:17 PM

HI, ERNIE:

I RECEIVED YOUR "BIG PICTURE". GREAT, THANKS.

** WAS THAT A "FACTORY" INSTALLATION AT EXCALIBUR??

** THE KENNE-BELL BLOWER THAT WE TRIED - THE ONE RECOMMENDED BY K.B. SEEMED TO FIT EXACTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE MORE TOWARDS THE CENTER. IT FIT THE ENGINE PERFECTLY BUT THE HOOD WOULD HAVE REQUIRED MORE "COSMETICS" THAN YOURS DOES.

** DOES YOU CAR HAVE AIR COND.??

** DO YOU KNOW IF THEY LOWERED THE 302 ENGINE BY USING 351W MOTOR MOUNTS?? (SUPPOSED TO LOWER IT 3/4").

I'D LIKE TO TAKE ANOTHER TRY AT FITTING A K.B. INTO MY EXCALIBUR.

** WHAT MODEL K.B. IS IN YOUR CAR??

** COULD I POSSIBLY PERSUADE YOU TO SEND ME ADDITIONAL PICS OF THE INSTALLATION FROM DIFFERENT VIEW ANGLES???

I COULD CERTAINLY LIVE WITH THAT LITTLE BUBBLE ON THE HOOD SCOOP.

THANKS VERY MUCH, AND - - Y'ALL HAVE AREALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Excaliber · #94 (**permalink**) 09-26-2002, 06:20 PM

BLACK JACK

QUOTING B. SMITH HERE:

,,,,,,, EXCALIBUR #121. IT IS A 1996, 302 HD TRUCK BLOCK WITH A KENNE BELL SUPERCHARGER, NOW 450 HP, 3.73, 8.8 REAR, 5 SP W .68 OD IN 5TH, AIR COND. RED WITH BLACK LEATHER, ETC. 10000 MILES AND LOTS OF AVAILABLE SUPPORT FROM KENNE BELL. THE GUYS AT EXCALIBUR IN MILWAKEE TOLD US 165 CARS WERE PRODUCED. HE ALSO REMEMBERED TESTING MY CAR WITH THE BLOWER. GOOD PEOPLE..............
I AM IN LIGHTHOUSE POINT, SOUTH FL

He was unable to post the pics, so I did it for him. Not sure of any more details on the SC than is posted here. I have seen pics of the KB SC on 5.0 Mustangs and the Excal installation looks identical to the pic of B. Smiths car. SC does mount in the middle and the UPPER INTAKE manifold comes OVER IT toward the driver side, thus the "bubble" on the side of hood scoop.

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #95 (**permalink**) 09-27-2002, 09:28 AM

THANKS, ERNIE,

I MAY TRY AGAIN TO FIT THE K.B. BLOWER. IT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN. IF ALL I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IS THAT LITTLE "BUBBLE" - - - I CAN DEAL WITH THAT .

THANKS, AGAIN AND - - Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Excaliber · #96 (**permalink**) 10-18-2002, 12:36 AM

Someone requested information on Excal's, bringing this to the top (again)!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #97 (**permalink**) 10-24-2002, 01:09 PM

TALKED TO THE GUYS WHO TRIED TO FIT THE KENNE-BELL BLOWER INTO MY EXCALIBUR YESTERDAY.

B.SMITH - - - THE PROBLEM WE HAD WAS NOT IN THE AREA WHERE THE HOOD SCOOP IS EXTENDED TO THE SIDE. THE FIT PROBLEM WE HAD WAS WITH THE FORWARD END OF THE PULLEY SHAFT.

WOULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME OF THE MODEL NUMBER OF YOUR KENNE-BELL S/C. I'D LIKE TO TRY AGAIN. PERHAPS IT'S A PREVIOUS MODEL THAT WE CAN STILL ORDER.

THANKS, AND - - Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Excaliber · #98 (**permalink**) 10-24-2002, 11:12 PM

BLACK JACK,,,,

Hope you can get that S/C fired up, good luck!

Ernie

ohekk · #99 (**permalink**) 10-25-2002, 04:53 AM

Green #020, previously owned by a gentleman in Appleton, WI
recently sold to a guy in Random Lake ,WI.... and one more, Red #164 was located in Santa Barbara, CA.

Cruising season is nearly over here in Wisconsin...so I expect to hear stories from Ernie and all you other fair weather Cobraphiles
about how HOT it is and queries on how to put AC in your Cobra!

Brrrrr
Tom

ohekk · #**100** (**permalink**) 11-01-2002, 09:55 PM

GOOD NEWS!:

Indeed the Excalibur molds and fixtures were sold to a gentleman in Ohio as reported by LASEKL in another thread. I spoke with him today and he is getting things sorted out. I'm glad to hear they went to a good home and will support the Excalibur owners as needed.

NOTE: It's my understanding that the molds/fixtures were
"sold" to someone in ND but Excalibur did not receive full payment and subsequently were returned (...and it appears that a few bodies may have been pulled from the molds in the interim).

I've confirmed #164 and MILWDOUG located another here in Wisconsin...he's working on confirming the Mfg #.

And of course Ernie sold his recently and will wish he hadn't!

Several others have changed hands recently...and I've got a few other leads.

From my research, my best guess so far is only 132+/- were produced. Yes...there are contradictions with a stated high of 344 but I've yet to see any indication/documentation of such.

Presently I only have 35 confirmed on the pseudo registry with #167 as the highest. (NOTE: Several may have been "Re VINed" from year to year and I've found gaps in the MFG# therefore explaining some of the discrepancies.)

BAD NEWS:

Excalibur Cobra #059 was severely damaged in a wreck (owner/driver had minor injuries) and sold to a "Broker".

Hopefully this is one we'll be able to save!

Keep looking!