Cobra down

Hollywood · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 05:36 PM

Well everyone I hope the show and shine was fun in Mesa on Saturday night!
I had all the best intentions of making but had a little problem on the way.
I had just left work and had only gone one block when I thought something let go in the motor due to the very loud banging sound coming from my engine compartment.

To add insult to injury, before I even stopped to check that out I shifted into 3rd gear and to my surprise there was no 3rd gear, just engine rev.
I managed to pull it over and pulled the hood to a nasty sound I could not readily identify so i limped it back to work and called the wife to pick me up with yes still no 3rd gear!!!

I picked up my car yesterday morning and took it to the new place I saw on another thread, NO LIMITS AUTO on 7th ave and Deer Valley. Turns out I know one of the 2 guys that work there and have plenty of background with both of them. Feeling quite comfortable with the surroundings I left it there to be checked out.

Here are the results thus far: the loud engine noise is due losing a header bolt and a blown exhaust header gasket (engine is ok, whew!). They have pulled the tranny late today and they will let me know tomorrow what that is looking like on Wednesday. I will keep everyone posted as to the results.

Danr55 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 06:18 PM

Didn't you just get that car less than a year ago? What's up with that? Good luck. I hope it's nothing too serious..

Hollywood · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 06:25 PM

Yes Dan I did, only has 4800 miles on it, Tremec TKO in it. I told the Race shop that Tremec sent me to that I had a concern about 3rd gear and the guy that rode with me told me it was normal, what an idiot!
Well it will get fixed now, and it is going to cost a few ducketts as well.

thanks for thoughts.

Jim.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 06:33 PM

I don't understand. You blew a header bolt out and lost third gear at the same time?

Spoooky · #5 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 06:43 PM

Jim,

I don't know if it would have mattered but Rob at No Limit Auto wired my header bolts. It's a good little shop there. He knows what he is doing. Your in good hands. Ask him about wiring the bolts. It might be worth it. I don't think it could be that much. Especially if you have the wire tool.

Tim

Hollywood · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 06:50 PM

Yes Patrick both at the same time, needless to say i had a few drinks saturday night.

lonestar #024 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 09:01 PM

Sorry to hear about your mishap Jim.

If there is anything I can do for you let me know.

Lonestar 024
Tom

RedSnake351 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonestar #024

Sorry to hear about your mishap Jim.

If there is anything I can do for you let me know.
Lonestar 024
Tom

Jim, take Tom up on his offer. The last time he made that offer to me I accepted, and sure enough he showed up with a case of Budweiser!

Ralph

mikiec · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 12:23 AM

You know if it's not one excuse , it's another. Anything to get out of doing things with the GANG.

Sounds like nothing major.

Mike

Bill Bess · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 07:40 AM

Jim, sorry to hear about your tranny problems. I have tremic tko and have been very careful with my shifting so that nothng will go wrong, so far so good..7000 miles.
Hey, there wasn't a "power shift involved here was there".....just joking. Try using ss lock washers on your header bolts, they will prevent the bolts fron coming out.

Bill

Hollywood · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 11:58 AM

well here is the bad news everyone, 3rd gear grenaded! 4th was starting to go. This tranny was not built to take the torque of this motor. Tremec now says it cannot be rebuilt and I am looking at a new tremec 600 plus a clutch kit, shifter, etc.... Looks like a $4700 bill. My week just keeps getting better and better. I will keep everyone posted and thank you for the nice thoughts, I think (Mike). lol

Jim.

patrickt · #12 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood

well here is the bad news everyone, 3rd gear grenaded! 4th was starting to go. This tranny was not built to take the torque of this motor.

Dang.

Was that a TKO-600 that you originally had in there?

Tony Ripepi · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 12:25 PM

Hi guys,

Did that some years ago when giving Cobra rides to some company in my Unique 427. Shifted into fifth....BANG !!!! no fifth or reverse. Took it to a tranny specialist in Redding and he was able to open it up replace the fork, bearings etc. and made it good as new. I also had the Tremec TKO in my Daytona and SPF and no problems with either of them. They are a good tranny but, every manufacturer has their issues.

Hollywood, Good luck with your repairs and be happy you were able to limp home and avoid a flatbed.

TR

Karl Bebout · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 04:11 PM

$4700? yowzer! That could screw up your weekend spending.

Hollywood · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 07:49 PM

Patrick, no that was not a 600 there lyes the problem, too much motor for the tranny. they said we could rebuild the current one but the old parts would maybe hold up for a while. Tremec is doing zero for me on this but I am having a new tremec 600/6speed put in, should be done next week.
I will say the guys at NO LIMITS are treating me quite fair, they reduced the bill a bit to get me down to that 4700 mark, they are also doing a rear main seal, adjusting the valves, new pan gasket, new header gaskets, clutch and pressure plate, trans shifter for the 6 speed, pretty much the works.
It should run better than it ever has and can take all the torque now along with better fuel mileage from the 6 speed.

Yes Karl I kept mine on the road and it is still costing me 5 grand!!!

It has made for a pretty crappy week all the way around because I really don't have this money to spend like every one else.

thanks all, Jim.

John-Tucson · #16 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 08:22 PM

Hey Jim, I'm sorry to hear abut your problems. With all of the work that they are going to do for you I think that you are getting a fair deal. John

Spoooky · #17 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 09:43 PM

Jim,

I have a TKO 600, heavy duty w/ .64 5th gear , 26 spline 5-speed. I have a big torque motor and it works great. I can actually say that on the freeway the motor is quiet enough that you can have a conversation in 5th.

csx4910 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-05-2009, 10:07 PM

I would agree completely. In 5th at 70 mph I am about 2000 rpms with the motor purring. Just don't expect to hit the gas without downshifting. 5th with this setup is great for curising just bad for sudden acceleration

Hollywood · #19 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 04:08 PM

Wow, finally got a little clarification on the tranny, it is a tko 600/ 5 speed. One guy telling me a 6 the other a five, the only 600 is a 5 speed. I am definitely looking forward to having a better trans setup.

Gave them the deposit, should be here next week! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you again for the comments.

Jim.

csx4910 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 04:21 PM

Yes the only difference between the TKO 500 and 600 is that one handles 500 ft lbs of torque and the other handles 600 ft pounds of torque. Good Luck. Hopefully they will get you back on the road soon!!
Ron