Arizona FE Experts- Timing Gear Swap
 

SPF #751 that I just purchased was recently freshened and runs great but it has a timing gear drive setup. Needless to say it's loud and doesn't represent the true sound of an FE cobra. I'd like to have that swapped out as well as addressing a few minor things/leaks. I did a search and didn't find much on FE guys in AZ- does anyone have a recommendation? I don't mind throwing it in my enclosed trailer and hauling it to So Cal as well but I thought I'd check to see if anyone has a reference. Thanks in advance!

Gear drive swap
 

Hey Mike...check with Bob Broberg's shop recommendation on Az Cobras. He
was real happy with them...
You should try it yourself, it's easy (with some precautions). Call them! I like to support local good shops when we find them

You know I was looking at it and it really seems pretty straightforward. I did just see that and I appreciate the heads up! They're right by my office so I may shoot over there in a bit to see them.

The guy that did Dan Shinn's FE knows his motors. I just don't know who he is. Something Mechanical. Bruce Bosley knows but he's not on the forum often.

AZ Bob

Thanks Bob- I'll look into that. I stopped by D&M today but David wasn't in. I'll get on it next week.

It is Standard Machine. 623 939 1431. Note that the real Cobra sound is due to the Borla exhaust more than anything else.

Which Borla exhaust is correct?

I'm not sure anymore Gary. You would have to call them. They no longer list it separately on their website.

It certainly is true enough that Danr should know mechanics, considering how many times his engines have broken something. His last one from Standard has lasted longer than any of the others, I think. Well, there was the issue of breaking a rocker stud when he was adjusting his hydraulic lifters.....which nobody has ever heard just why he was doing that....

BTW, our very own Jeff Classic certainly has the skill and experience far exceeding the work you want done. My 2¢ worth.

Yes, it is a little known historical factoid that in 1964, Shelby had Peter Brock design him a time machine, so he could travel 20 years into the future to buy a pallet of Borla mufflers, and take them back to the 60's to use on the 65-67 427 Cobras... :LOL:

Yes, but then again, Danr has never managed to turn a cam lobe into a canoe... :confused::confused::confused:

RB, "Yes, but then again, Danr has never managed to turn a cam lobe into a canoe..."

It takes talent! Talent, I say!

And as to your shot that Borla's couldn't possibly have been used on original Cobras, I call BS! I just read that Borla has been making exhaust systems for 30 years! Whaddya say to that? Wait, 30 years. This is 2017. Hmm. Subtract 30 from 2017. This higher math makes my brain hurt. You think you're so smart, Mister Smarty-Pants!

This is true and while he was in the future he also secured a supply of special spindles so he could "stance" some of those early cars. Btw it has been reported that ol' Shel actually used some his leftover fart cans from the Borla installs to start up his Chili business but I don't buy that.

*** Fair Warning : Lot's of personal opinion, and editorial commentary below. If anything I state here offends anyone, well then- That's your problem, not mine...


New Guy Mike: I don't think you should need an "FE Specialist" to fix leaks, or to swap a gear drive with a timing chain - Those are both "low hanging fruit" on the basic engine repair complexity tree. Bob B's recommended shop should be able to easily handle it, as can Jeff Classic (Jeff's shop: Cobras N Vettes)

Hauling the car all the way to California to do these repairs should be a non-starter.. Complete overkill.

Now, all of that being said, I can personally understand 100% why you would want to get rid of the gear drive- Gear Drives were the "wannabe race car" sound of the late 80's and early 90's... All my gearhead friends in High School would save their tips from the pizza place to buy a Pete Jackson gear drive, so that their "400 horsepower" 327 (which actually made about 150hp, and could barely wheeze their 74 Camaro down the quarter mile in 15 seconds) would whine like it had a blower.... :rolleyes:

And, the popular street wisdom at the time was that racing teams would use gear drive to prevent the cam from skipping a tooth as they blasted down the track; which again, the average teenager-owned, wuss-bag street machine was in zero danger of ever doing, unless the timing chain was stretched out from a half-million miles of common teenage male pattern abuse... :cool:

Today, the fake "gear drive blower whine" of the 80's has been superceded by the equally ridiculous "ghost cam" - EFI guys are now deliberately tuning their fuel injection controllers to misfire on every 5th spark pulse at idle, so that the engine will lope and shake like it's got a long duration cam inside it, even though the stock cam they are actually running in the engine, should idle like a brand new Cadillac...

It's all pure, 100% fakery. Fake blower whine, fake cam lope.

And then, there are the guys that will paint their wheels with spray paint, just to make them look like DOW7 coated magnesium... don't even get me started on THOSE guys- They are the worst of the worst (self-deprecating humor- It's how I keep my perspectives "fair and balanced" :JEKYLHYDE)

So yes- Unless you're running a normally aspirated, 900HP drag racing engine that runs 14:1 compression, and revs to 12,000RPM, then the gear drive is nothing but a big, whiney noise maker... Get it out of there. :cool:

Agree with Robert here - several folks here in the valley that can handle a changeover to a timing chain set up. Do make sure you get a good chain as I have read about some problems with some of them (btw I have never had one break or stretch enough to affect my cam timing or ignition timing noticeably).

Thanks fellas and thank you Robert for the info. I forgot about standard machine- they built the short block for me on my 03 terminator many years back. That motor is still running strong.

I mentioned so cal because I'm taking the car out there at the end of next month for a cruise with a buddy. Totally agree it's overkill to take it there just for the few fixes but I thought if there was a better option I'd kill 2 birds with one stone while out there.

Great weather we're having for the first weekend I'm home to actually get out and drive the car! :(

Robert is completely correct. It's nearly a normal timing chain replacement procedure, and any competent mechanic could do it. In fact, any mechanic who couldn't do it shuld not be allowed near your car.

I'd have to disagree about those painted wheels though. I've seen some that looked truly excellent.

Just my 3 cents (adjusted for inflation).

Yeah, BOOOOOOO....!!!! :(:(:(

Another "easy peasy" on installing a new cam spockets and chain. Nothing weird about it unless you're prone to breaking things like one un-named person we all know and (ahem) love.

Would that "un-named" person be very partial to orange, by chance?