First Drive comments?

Kramer · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:08 PM

For those of you that remember finishing your car and taking it on its first drive is there anything I should pay attention to or monitor on its first trip on the street?

The first drive will most likely be to the DMV for inspection, but I hope to get her our before then...maybe even take her to a nearby track to get everything "sorted out".

Kramer

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:31 PM

I drove mine sort of easy for about a week as I checked all bolts and for any leaks. Only had one small water leak and that was fixed by tightening the bold a fraction more. Look at all oil lines and other connections such as gas after you have driven it and gotten everything up to temperature. I wouldn't push it really hard for a day or so just in case a hose or something decides to blow off or you got a faulty one and I have seen that happen. Then each day after driving it and parking it, wait a while and look under for any drips or anything and be sure to check all fluid levels. Also if you have aluminum intake and heads, it wouldn't hurt to check the torque on the bolts every so often.

Ron

Juggernaut · #3 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:36 PM

Congrats on finishing your build!

I finished mine in March after a long 5 years. The night before I took it out on the road for the first time, I did a thorough inspection on the car, I checked every nut & bolt, wiring connections, all lights, all lines that could leak, all fluid levels, brakes, fan operation, lug nuts, etc......

The day of the first drive I did another quick check along with starting it & letting it get up to operating temp while checking for leaks.

When I pulled out, I just checked the brakes a couple of times & pulled out onto the road. I kept an eye on all the guages while listening for any weird sounds & slowly shifting through the gears. Had it out for about 15 minutes, brought it back and checked it over again for leaks & things like that.

Once that went well, I took it out again for a little longer ride & kept an eye on those guages.

The more I drove it, the more confidence I had in the car, now I'll drive it anywhere.

Good luck & enjoy the ride!

Randy

G.R. · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 01:59 PM

DO NOT JUMP ON IT!!! on your first drives no matter how tempting to do so.. Be patient and learn the car first...there have been several newbie owners that have paid the price after recently completing or buying a new Cobra.

Don't mean to be preaching just offering a bit of advice...and GOD don't we all know how tempting it is to stab that pedal down..........

Kramer · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 02:56 PM

Thanks for the good ideas. I am going to run it a few time in the driveway this week just to check for leaks...I also like the idea of going through the car and rechecking all the bolts. I'll let you know how it goes after the weekeend.

TS

Juggernaut · #6 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kramer

Thanks for the good ideas. I am going to run it a few time in the driveway this week just to check for leaks...I also like the idea of going through the car and rechecking all the bolts. I'll let you know how it goes after the weekeend.

TS

Good deal, let us know how it goes!

Chaplin · #7 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 03:19 PM

Listen for the sound of nuts, bolts, wheels, seats or other miscellaneous parts falling off the car and pull over immediately if you hear the sound of metal bouncing along the road behind you!

All kidding aside, you got good advice above. Take it easy the first few times out and check everything a couple of times in the first few hundred miles to make sure nothing has loosened up.

Got the Bug · #8 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 04:34 PM

Congratulations Kramer!! You must have one of those permanent ear-to-ear grins right now.

You'll be tightening bolts forever...it's part of the charm.

FUNFER2 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 04:48 PM

Yes,............SEAT BELTS !!!

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 05:53 PM

Everything is mating itself for the first 500 miles, clutch, trans, rear, etc. so it take easy. Then take it to a wide open space and learn what happens when you get it on "too hard" or when you get off it too quickly while going in a turn. You can do that safely in a big open parking lot early on a Sunday morning.

Then take a real driving course with it.

Bill Wallace · #11 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 09:09 PM

I think all of the previous respondents offered sage advice. I would take the car out assuming something will go wrong. As others have offered take a cell phone and a nylon tow strap just in case.

I can tell you that in some of my first trips here is what I found: gas leak between the fuel inlet and carburetor body; throttle stuck the first time I opened it up all the way (that was "interesting"); right rear spinner was loose; a nut was missing on one of the bolts holding the wind wing to the windshield frame); and the differential cover leaks. No, I didn't assemble it myself.