40th Anniversary Cobra on Ebay

[Turk]

Allan,
The Original cars did NOT have an engine with a CSX number either.

For the alloy fans, News flash!!

My limited understanding of engines and lubrication tells me, new Shelby Aluminum Blocks employ a better oiling system than the dated old FE iron blocks.

I know enough about them NOT to argue that point. I merely said, they were NOT Side Oilers. Not a value judgement or an opinion that they were not good.

I was simply proofreading an ad, that is really of no concern to me.

For the money most would be better of to buy a predictable Aluminum block, and build a motor out of it. A Sideoiler is a gamble most of the time with ever diminishing inventory.

I bought 5 to get three good ones. Not a very good percentage.
I believe you can do much better with a Shelby motor. If you buy 5 from them you will probably get 5 good ones.

They just won't be Sideoilers. That is not necessarily a bad thing.
They cost about the same, and supposed to have better oiling.

TURK

[Bill Kesner]

OK......

Some of us went with the iron 427 S.O. boat anchors for originality, trying to get the feel of our cars the way it was back in the 60's. Would we like the "new" Aluminum CSX engine built to some higher HP number in our cars.....ummm . YES!

Allan......what's the estimated total weight of the Aluminum car and motor suppose to come in at? I'm guessing around 2200 lbs.? A 2000 lb. Cobra with a big block would probably feel like driving a Cheetah with some sand bags in the trunk!!

BTW....wonder how Neal's Cheetah is coming along? Could you imagine the new CSX Aluminum motor in the Cheetah? Hmmm...
Probably just gave Neal another idea.

- Bill -

[Gordon Claunch]

Hey the aluminum csx engine is way to good looking to put in one of those ugly a$$ed Cheetahs!!!

[427Aggie]

I will throw you another twist...Gensis is shipping the new 427SO block...now its built on the same setup as the originals but they improved on some of the weak points but it still uses the SO setup of old.

Now they are suppost to be shipping the aluminum block in about 2 months.....it is cast the same as the iron block.

Then you have a real aluminum 427 cu in SO.

By the way most of us with the boat anchor don't have a 427 anyway..........mine is like 433 after they bore it out

Matt

[misfit41]

this is all fun,,and i think mostly everyone is correct,,the alloy shelby is a great piece,,and I think would ad value to any car,,cobra or other wise,possibly any car other than a csx3000 car that is.
I wonder about weight distribution with an alloy block,the car with iron and alloy heads is so well porportioned,,will the alloy block make it a tad light in the front ?thats a question,,not a statement .
Once again,,I think so is a term that meant a lot when guys were trashing 406 fords in 62 galaxies on the banks at daytona and talledega,but to us it means almost nothing,I mean a 351 isnt a side oiler either,I will also go as far to say,for my own use,I dont think the alloy is worth the difference in money,and in past history the iron blocks will last longer,,less chance of stripping threads,breaking under a lower end blow,,there WERE a few fe alloy blocks made,but very few,and lots of alum heads,,none of them are still around though,,etc,I do realize technology has come a long way in alloys though,,that could be different now.
If a person wants to spend the bucks,,I think the alloy is cool as heck,really neat to have and look at,but unless you do actual comp racing,where weight is a factor,not needed.
I havent recearched this but have been told some of the boat blocks can be drilled to be side oilers,which makes sense,many of these are c8ae dated blocks,when i was buying new service blocks in the early 80's,they were c8az 6010G,{they were around 700 bucks},so it is the same casting I assume,but,,most of us with them would just have to buy a new cam,,so,,i wouldnt bother trying.
isnt it great we all have enough time,,and extra cash to debate and explore these things ?life is good,,,Tk

[Anthony]

I think a CSX4000 car with either an iron 427 SO or a new aluminum 427 would be desireable, and would be worth about the same. It would depend upon the buyer if there was a difference. It would be worth less if it had a 428, 390 etc.

From what I have seen, I think alot of the CSX3000 cars that came with 428's have been changed to 427's. I think a CSX3000 car is worth more with a 427 SO even if the original engine was a 428. I personally know the owner of CSX325*, and he has a 427 SO service block, when his car likely originally had a 428, and it doesnt matter to him. I think most of the 427 cobra's that came with 428's were in the CSX32** range. I would think that a large percentage of original 427 cobra's don't have their original engines, but as long as they have a 427 in it, it is worth more. If it is the original 427 as installed, then I think it would worth the most.

As far as weight, I know it has been listed elseware, but, I can tell you that just the other day I help lift a 427 SO bare block into a truck, and me and another guy carried it. I bet it weighed about 180 lbs, give or take 10. The Shelby block is listed as 125 lbs. The new genesis 427 so block I think is about 250 lbs. It has much thicker siameesed cylinder walls, thicker deck, and main webs. It is heavier than the originals. I saw the cut away at a show, although I didn't carry it. I'll look for a weight listing.

[Excaliber]

Unless your running LeMans I would think the center oiler would hold just as well as the side oiler actually. Doesn't carry the same "status" as the legnedary S.O. is the main thing.

I'm not sure I could tell at a glance if you had a 352, 390 or 427 under the hood, as far as that goes! They pretty much all "look" the same.

But the look of horror when you told the guy buying it,,,,,"it's a 352" would be interesting!! LOL

Ernie

[REAL 1]

Allan A: As Turk pointed out, no original Shelby Cobra ever had a CSX# on its block. You can opt for a CSX block with the new Continuation Cobra or opt to power it with original equipment.

Show me one original Cobra that has a CSX # on the block like yours. What? You can't? Ooops. Sorry ol' chap.

It doesn't matter who made the body. Whether its an original Sheby body/chasis or new Shelby body/chasis. The point is that to have the Continuation Cobra, which is a '65 spec car, finished to true '65 specs so as to have the car exactly as it was you need the REAL deal...an FE 427SO. Remember its the continuation Cobra ie..it is a "continuation" of the original production Cobra and as such in my humble opinion should be true to original specs in order to be a true "continuation" of the original series. End of storey.

If you like the new aluminum block motor, thats fine. Nothing wrong with it and it is a good choice.

I just think having a REAL FE 427SO in a Shelby Cobra is the way it was and the way it ought to be. IMHO.

[PSB]

So if you have a Real Cobra that wasn't built in the '60s, what does it matter how much it resembles/has the same engine/parts, ect, as a Real Cobra that WAS built in the '60s. If a CSX 4000 doesn't have the original type motor, does that make it less "real"

[Excaliber]

PSB,,,,What does it matter? I'm trying to imagine how someone could even ask such a question! Were so far apart on that little issue I'm not even sure how to respond!

To some people, it's EVERYTHING, and I think thats very cool.

Ernie

[PSB]

Ernie,

I guess you're right - I just don't understand. Spend big $ to get a car that is a REAL Cobra, then worry about if it's an exact REPLICA of a Cobra or not.

I just don't get the logic of the engine discussion either. A CSX 4000 is REAL because Shelby built it, but an aluminum 427 is a REPLICA because Shelby built it?

Your right - I don't get it.


Pete

[Excaliber]

I drive an Excalibur,,,,,like I'm even in the ballpark of "accurate".

LOL

Ernie

[misfit41]

I can explain most of these discussions,,TOO MUCH TIME,,lol,,we need to stay more busy,,
have fun guy,,,Tk
BTW,,,wtf is an excaliber ? one of those gazelle looking things ? or do they make a cobra ?

[REAL 1]

PSB: Its simple. I'm not worried if my car is an exact "replica" or not. Its not a replica of a Cobra. It is a 1965 spec Cobra built as a continuation series today for guys who wanted a real Shelby Cobra as it was back then. As Shelby himself said, the idea was to offer people a second chance to buy a Shelby Cobra that missed out the first time. Thus I wanted my car completed by SAI and its dealer to SAI's exact '65 specs for my car ie, a 1965 427SC. The specifications for that car are clear, unrefutable and finite.

Both CSX 3000 and CSX 4000 are REAL Cobras made by Shelby. One original series. One the other the continuation series of the same car. Both built to the same specifications. Only the FE 427SO is the correct engine to put in the CSX, new or original to have it built or restored, as the case may, to its original specifications as the car was originally designed.

The new Shelby aluminum 427 is not a replica 427SO. Its a real 427 that is, however, new and different in specs than the original FE equipment. Its a viable substitute and because its a Shelby product and therefore is certainly an appropriate engine for the car. Its just won't complete the car to "original" specs. But some guys want the aluminum 427 over the FE 427 for the advantages it offers such as weight, better oiling (for whatever thats worth) and more flexibilty as to boring it out to different displacement. Also some want that CSX # on their block. Nothing wrong with that either.

Hope this clarifies things.

[Allan A]

Evan,

If you have not figured it out I have just been having fun, I really do not take this as seriously as you. I just hope that when the day comes to sell my car yours is not on the market at the same time

Today was a very nice day in Nor Cal and my driveway had more CSX cars than most of the CSX dealers. Two without motors CSX 4309 and 4310, and two powered cars CSX 4141 (Bill’s) and CSX 4285 (Mark’s). Tony (Lucky DV car winner) came along with his Unique. We had an enjoyable time looking at all of the cars that we love. The only thing that I was jealous of is all of the guests had motors, and yes they were all 427’s in various configurations. These cars are just fun and that is how they should be looked at, comparing rivets was not a discussion nor should it be.

Enjoy your car and the friends that come with them.

Allan

[Bill Kesner]

Allan,

Just got home from work this evening. Thanks for the invite to the house. Your roller and Rick's are a work of art. I was completely impressed with the two cars, and the differences of the two. Hope you do get it finished for the Monterey Historics.

- Bill -

[Excaliber]

The Excalibur "Cobra" is actually pretty impressive. The handling is quite good (even better after a few modifications). The stock 302 is the biggest drawback. The car is a few hundred pounds heavier than most (not good). The workmanship and quality is pretty high (but not the best). It's a little longer and wider (4 inches all around) and I LIKE that extra room! Very similiar to a Classic Roadster.

Is it the ONLY factory built, DOT and FED certified "Cobra" since the last CSX3000 series car? Who made another DOT and FED certified "Cobra" since Shelby stopped production? Even CSX4000's don't qualify in that regard, by the way.

Ernie

[Ken Oikawa]

Quote: " Who made another DOT and FED certified "Cobra" since Shelby stopped production? "

Aurora, manufactured 289 Slab side during the 80's. They were built in Richmond Hill, Ont. just north of Toronto.

[REAL 1]

Allan A: Peace! Thanks for clearing that up. Sometimes I start typing repsonses before my meds kick in!

Seriously. The Shelby aluminum block motor is one kick a$$ piece. I would be proud to have in my car as well. Its all a matter of personal preference.

By the way, those CSX's without power wouldn't have been Turk's and Dan Semko's peddle power CSX's would they????

[misfit41]

You guys in Ca have it made,,I have not yet gotten to see a csx car,,maybe it is best I dont,,I understand the short chassis program isnt bad,maybe an spf donor car ? heheh
I have to ask this ,,from a casual observer,the kirkham,and csx,aside from the vin and name tag,look nearly alike,,whats the real difference guys ? {I do hate the way Kirkham uses refurb motors with 428 cranks}