MGB Front Suspension

[Chifo Jr]

Mike,

I'll post some pics of my trunk prop and give you the part numbers when I get back.

[RallySnake]

Wow guys,

I just caught up with this thread. I have Arntz number 6. All of your pictures look very much like my car. The one tip I can throw in here is that the Griffin all-aluminum radiator from Summit fit perfectly in my car and allieviated all cooling problems. It was under $200 for the small model with Chevy outlet tubes. It has worked great even in slow moving Palm Springs traffic at 110 degrees F. I got an electric fan from a junked police car at Marv's Chevy-Only recycling yard.

I have often considered upgrading the front suspension like you have discussed. I recently rebuilt my MGB front end with all polyeurathane (Energy Suspension) bushings from Moss. They said in would feel too harsh and stiff but I like the the directness of the steering. The biggest problem is that the lower A-Arm bolt holes wear out where the lower king pin attachment bolt goes through, and everything gets sloppy. Last time I took it apart, I welded around the holes and redrilled them to create a much harder wear surface. I used Grade 8 bolts to lock it all together. The steering is so much better now. It feels trustworthy even at high speeds. I used to feel as if I were "hearding" the car through corners, now it goes precisely where it's pointed.

I am interested in the Unique conversion someday. It feels great that I am not in this alone! Please let me know if any of you are getting together in SoCal.

I will be running the First Friday Night Rally on August 1. It starts behind the Bank of America in North Hills (Devonshire and Sepulveda) at about 7:00 PM. Entry fee is only $10. If anyone is near, feel free to join me.

Paul

[65 Blur]

I knew you would find us - Welcome. You ever thought of coming to Tahoe in late September? Looks like we will have 50+ Cobras going up to the "Snakes by the Lake" - Here is the link with all the info: http://www.geocities.com/snakes2003@sbcglobal.net/home This is me and Tina's first year going - really looking forward to it.

There are more Arntz / Butler guys out there (Fred Douglass) that I know of - chime in.

Roy

[RallySnake]

Roy,

I suppose that makes sense, Steve Arntz built Cobras in San Francisco and Tempe, AZ. I don't know the order. When Ron Butler took over, he moved to operation to Jefferson Blvd. right up the street from my office here in Marina del Rey (Los Angeles). So, there should be more Arntzs up there and more Butlers down here, right?

I have REALLY wanted to run the "Snakes to the Lake" with you guys. I have travelled enough to know that Lake Tahoe is probably THE most beautiful place in the US that has bearable weather. On our first vacation there, I could not bring myself to leave. Fortunately, some idiot blew up Harrahs casino and I came back to my senses. My problem is that "Snakes to the Lake" occurs right in the middle of my son's high school marching band contest season. I support the band by pulling the equipment trailer to the events. So, I will have to wait for the 2005 trip. Sign me up!

Paul

[Monster]

Paul,
Welcome ,glad you found our little forum. good info on the radiator, I'll keep that in mind incase my "brick" ever pops a leak.

new question: what seats do you have in your car? My car was purchased as an incomplete (either a Bennett or Arntz both have seen it and both said it was one of theirs) anyway the seats that came with the car were from Brooklands and I sit with my eyes almost level with the top of the windshield. I'm only 5'8 so it's like I'm in a booster chair. I would like to sit lower but I haven't seen any seats that look like they would help. I can't lower the pan inside because there is a frame rail under the seats. Do you guy's have the same problem?

thanks,
Mike

[65 Blur]

Now there is a subject. I am 6'2" and because my wife drives the car, I had to install a low profile seat adjuster which still raised it up about an inch. I have no idea where the seats came from - no markings that I can find. They are fiberglass tub with black vinyl and not much padding. If I sit-up straight, I am looking over the windshield. Needless to say, with the wide tunnel on these cars, and my long legs, I look like a pretzel when I drive - but I still love it. If I wanted comfort, I would have bought the Lexus. I just need to get out every hour or so and unwind.

To complicate matters, Tina has a friend with a 1966 MGB that they restored, and it has some very nice leather seats the are very simular to the Cobra seats. She wants. The problem is they have about 2 inches more padding vs my current seats - I will have to wear goggles to drive and look like a giraffe.

Roy

[Monster]

Roy,

The seats I have are probably similar to the MGB seats (pretty standard fair for Brit cars of that era). My wife is 5' and want adjustible seats so she can drive, but with the extra 1-1 1/2" my whole head would be above the windshield. As it is when I was mounting my roll-bar I put it 2" above my head when I marked it to cut and when you look at the car you can see that it is quite high.........................but safe. Maybe I should just toss the seats, use pillows and just strap in to the floor

Thanks,
Mike

[RallySnake]

Been there, done that!

My old seats were out of a Bugeye Sprite. Can you say "torture". I tried seats in every Cobra in every show I visited. The best ones are in the Classic Cobras. They are layed-back fiberglass shells with lumbar support built-in and minimal padding. Look good, too. I contacted the Classic people about two years ago and they connected me with their seat manufacturer in So. Dakota, I believe. I got two leather-covered seats made for about $400. The one on the right side fits really tight but the door does close. I cut 8" round holes thorugh the fiberglass floor to sink them as low as possible and cut a 5" diameter "D" shaped hole in the curved bottom of the seats to fit over the rear frame member. I used duct tape (what else) to seal up the hole. With them bolted to the floor (no sliders, no carpet), I see through the top half of the windshield. I'm 6' 0". They've proved comfortable even on a 16-hour rally to Santa Cruz, last year. The back is a little tall and sticks up above the rear edge of the cockpit about an inch. They look a little square, too, but my butt thinks they're beautiful!

Paul

[Tom Howland]

My seats look to be original (1980). Someones dog or cat has poked little holes in them. They are bolted to the floor. I'm 6 foot and can see through the middle of the wind shield. They are OK but when I get out it takes a while to stand up straight. The backs are lower than the body. They would be more comfortable with taller backs.

[1cobralover]

Pete

Reading your post 7/17. You said that your is the first Butler #000. It should be stamped on the frontleft frame rail with BRC #001. Its funny because some Arntz frames didn't have S/N Mine has NO # on it at all and like BRC#101 (the last one) was sold as G&S Motorsports #001.

Looking at your photos I saw one with a group of people behind it your? It had a 3 bow soft top? on it and most tops are 2 bow, Is it by chance one of Ron's (HARD TOP)? If so I thought there was only 3 made. Because I have one, One went with the VSE chassis car Brett built and one was on the car they had in the showroom on wooden blocks. If ron made more that would be cool for some of the other owners

[Fred Douglass]

..Pete, Steve, Mike, Roy, etc., etc.:
From the little I've read on this informal forum, I'd say we Arntz-Butler owners would profit immensely from a real forum. I haven't a clue how to implant one on the Club Cobra site, and that ignorance goes double for starting our own web-site. HOWEVER most of you might very well have the skills necesary.

I have quite a bit to share with you guys. Although I lack the overall mechanical skills and knowledge of most of yo0u, I'm learning a lot. I have removed the following tid-bits from my Butler (No. 5, 1982): a 351C w/ some good enhancements--yielding 390 hp. I'm installing a Southern Automotive 408C! Additionally I am, replacing the MGB front end with a brand-new unit.

This is a sample of the stuff which might make an Arntz- Butler site valuable.

Someone mentioned a freidn putting BBS 10x 15 and 12 x 15s on his Butler...like to find out about hub and disc clearences, pllus what type/brand of tire was used...

Chow,

[1cobralover]

Marty had Brett fab up a custom mustang II frontend.

Last I heard Marty was a Postmaster in Nev. around Reno

Steve

[Monster]

Fred ,
Who you calling informal We don't want to go getting to official with a forum and all now do we??

Steve, That is the last I heard of Marty as well. He had been coming on a couple of Coast runs and to the Nor-Cal Kit Kar gathering but I didn't see him on either last year. He had just built another Butler last I saw him, that was where I got my anti-sway bar.

Well, out to the garage I gotta try to find out why my front brakes are dragging.

MIke

[1cobralover]

[font=times new roman]
Well I got some free web space and I'm trying find and put the info I've got together Damm do I have a lot of **** DID I SAY THAT! Good thing my wife doesn't use the computer.

Mike
What time do you guys meet for breakfast?

Fred

I've got a set of though Arntz 3 piece wheels 15x10 front, 15x12rear (look like the old BBS wheel). The hard thing is trying to find large 15" tires anymore.

[Monster]

OH S&%t we've been moved.


Breakfast is @ 7:00 - 9 or so ,every Sat.

Mike

[Fred Douglass]

Little did I know it was black tie! Want me to cook some hors d'oeuvres?? (Better check the Gallery first!)

Steve, I tried some Enkies (OTHER than Ron Bars's) and couldn't get them over the stock Jag hub-carriers! What's the trick? The guy I borrowed the rim from has an ERA with a modified Jag rear with smaller (shorter) Jag hubs. They ran smack into the hub carrioers on my stock Jag hubs. About 1/4 would have to be taken off the rims to fit with about a 1/8 clearence.

Tell me when and where to go to get to the new website or CC site location. WhenI get a Brent-o-gram saying that someone's responded to this thread or site, I usually have to go into members, find one of us who's posted and click "Check all messages.." in order to get right to these posts!

[65 Blur]

Fred, All

We have our own Forum thanks to Paul's request, and Brent's effort.

Club Cobra > Manufacturers, tools, and parts. > Arntz/Butler Forum >

Good Job Guys.

Roy

[1cobralover]

Great the lost cars have a home

Mike were did the breakfast move to?

So far I've put a list of 12 A/B cobras and I'm tracking down 5 more.

I think this forum should have been called "Arntz Family Tree" because there are a lot of branchs

NEW Question

What was it about these car that made you buy one?

[Monster]

First!!!! This is going to take some getting used too. It was just a couple of click to our little forum before, now I gotta jump around to find this place oh well, the price of progress.......................

Fred- Breakfast is stiil, as always at Athens Burgers in Dublin, near the intersection of 580 & 680.Specifically, 6999 Dublin Blvd accross from the Police station and soccer complex.
Are you planning on coming this weekend?

As for the name it's missing Bennett & G&S ( I think G&S may have only made 1 or 2 cars, but they are still family )


On the question: I bought mine because it was the car I was looking for, solid construction, original drive train, not completed but rolling all at the right price.

MIke "monster"

[Jamo]

Mike

Why not simply call it "The Significantly Setback Ones"????