A miracle....Slowy's cobra update

[stephen low]

Seems work and life getting in the way again of cobra rebuilding though small steps have led to todays warm up run.

Had to seal off the exhaust as no gaskets had been added into the system on rebuild of the exhaust. The passenger would have continued getting a very warm soak as my heater connections weren't right. I was getting a big coolant leak in the passenger footwell. Some replacement silicone hosing has sorted this out though.

Enjoy this




Still I had the system warm up to 100C without the thermo fan self starting. So a bit of a quandry as the sensor location was provided near top input hose and not near the lower output.

What is the consensus reagrding the location of the sensor should it be measuring input or output temperature?

I'd be really keen on feedback on this as my old school training says measure temperature at the outlet going back to the motor.

However the sensor bung is up near the inlet and is how the radiator was supplied.

Feedback would be great guys.

Cheers

Slo

[stephen low]

Oops sorry guys try this link instead

Warmuprun140621_zps591aa0b9.mp4 Video by slowy59 | Photobucket

Enjoy

[gjkrv8]

Well done Slowy, how'd you go with your gauges the other day? cheers Gregg

[Modena]

slo, great to see it running!!

Ideally you want to be measuring the water temp at the cylinder head, is there provision in the heads for a sender? Otherwise get as close as to the head as you can, on the hot side of the flow. Who cares what temp it is in the radiator, it's the heads that matter.

[stephen low]

There is a sender on the water pipe that leaves the pump heading to the heater. Do I assume this is feeding info to the ECU on temp?

If so what drives the thermo fan operations?

I have had suggestions for various sensor locations on the raditor. Measure heat in at top of radiator ie temperaure as leaving the motor versus heat out of radiator near outlet showing return water temp back into the motor.

I'm probably stuck with maintaining a sensor on the radiator but it is whether it is near the inlet or outlet location.

Suggestions on those choice please?

Running the engine on idle up to 100C the other day didn't fire the thermo with a sensor set to 92C on 87C off switching. Short circuited the wiring and the fan came on and it also activated using my over-ride switch so the system is capable. Might have to do a boiling water test to see if the switch is ok first.

[Aussie Mike]

I found these thermo fan controllers the other day. Just the ticket for a setup where you don't have an ECU to control the fan.

Thermo FAN Controller Manifold Adaptor | eBay

Cheers

[sambo]

Originally Posted by stephen low

There is a sender on the water pipe that leaves the pump heading to the heater. Do I assume this is feeding info to the ECU on temp?

What colour is this wire? Is there a wire of the same colour on the ECU plug? Can your multimeter do a continuity test?

[stephen low]

So am in the process of reassembling the new water pump and lower temp thermostat but wasn't sure whether to install a Dorman cam syncro I acquired.

Bought it more for the sensor locator but given it's a non-genuine part I'm not sure whether to use it or not.

Any of you blue oval boys know whether the Dorman is a cheaper knock off version of the standard part or just as good?

If I can link it too, I'll post a seperate thread from my V8 drive experience at Sandown this morning, that was a buzz, and good practice.

Encouraged by the drive coach's comments too about picking up pretty quickly as this is the first time I've every driven any sort of car on a race track. But then I have watched a million hours of V8's over the years.

Peaked over 200kph on the main straight though as I got into it but 6 laps just aint enough.

The three lap passenger run confirmed how slow I really was though and an eye opener rush. The slicks were starting to be tested on that drive.

Am told they are doing a Phillip Island experience in September, that might be one to consider.

Still if I get my car going I can do it myself.

Cheers

Slo

[stephen low]

So I think I've sorted my engine related gremlims with a few unexpected fixes.

The issues I had noted included:

• Not getting battery charging voltage levels whilst running
• Achieving quite high coolant temperatures as per the dash gauge
• Not getting any thermo fan operation automatically
• No achieving ongoing engine idle once warmed up
• Barely being able to restart the engine once warmed up

My sparky dropped by this morning and his advice was to recheck the temp sensor screwed into the heater manifold pipe. It sends the dash gauge its signal. He was concerned it might be the wrong sensor.

A multi-meter check confirmed that I had a wiring issue somewhere between the alternator plug and the dash battery light. Was not getting the battery light on at ignition on ie the alternator was not being excited and hence no charge during engine operation.

So reviewed the sensor and its markings seemed right but I practically tested resistance in heated water and bingo the sensor was stuffed. $12 later at Bursons a quick check on the stove and I had a correctly working sensor.

While the sensor was out I topped up the coolant system. Added about 2.5 litres so there was also clearly a large air gap in the system too. The sensor and radiator fill point are probably about the highest points so I got some air purge from the sensor port too. Screwed the sensor in did a final top up and capped the system.

Started to unravel the loom at the alternator plug and found a failed solder join between the original plug wires and the loom connection. A new solder joint and quick test and on comes the battery light. So re-wrapped the short section I'd unravelled.

Started first time, the new 82C thermostat operated properly and the system ran up to just over 90C by the gauge and presto the thermo fired up. Engine continued to idle well all through this sequence so I think it is all fixed.

A lack of charging was probably playing hell with the ECU and hence fuel rates. Now that I think about it there was quite a fuel smell after my previous runs. The dodgy temp sensor was messing with the ECU too no doubt and the air lock would not have helped and was probably why the thermo sensor would not activate.

Will now definitely be able to move onto the next phases.

A good day all round.

Cheers

Slo

[750hp]

Good results mate; forward progress is always a good thing!

[David Hodgson]

Good news Slo, it's a great feeling to get that monkey off ya back.

[stephen low]

Thanks guys and yes it is.

I'll be moving into this weekend's work far more relaxed and able to definitely move onto other work that needs to be finished.

Also means I can definitely finish up wrapping the balance of the exposed loom under each front guard and finally tidy up the dash wiring.

Had removed and painted a number of parts so these can all go back into place.

Then I can get onto some peripheral items trying to get the car ready to go see the painter I guess as the next major step.

Exciting times.

Cheers lads

[sinkers46]

Good work Slowy. you did well. It was great to hear the motor ticking over nicely for you. and now with these little gremlins behind you it should give you some smooth sailing from here on .. ha ha.

[stephen low]

In thinking about what I need to do to get the car to paint I've started focussing on body related items I need to finish.

Needed the guard looms in tact so have managed to almost finish off the loom runs under the guards.

Drivers guard photos.

Rear of drivers wheel arch



Front of drivers wheel arch



Passenger front wheel arch area



Have run earthing and other wires down the gap between the inner guard and the air opening on both sides of the car, as shown on the passengers side photo above. Need to reapply stone guard before I can finish this off properly. But the front wiring is essentially done.

Busily drilling holes in the bodywork and fitting items where needed with the plan to get to paint within the month. We will see.

Cheers

Slo

[stephen low]

Have been alternating focus on other projects but thought it time for a small update.

Am trying to get the car ready to be painted and have almost knocked over the things the need holes drilled in the body. Had my over-riders and rear bumper re-chromed as per the shots below.





But on return and inspection of the mounting hole locations it seems these bits are not to and standard hole pattern so I need to do some modified drilling to make them mount up. Have struggled to pick centrelines so am going to leave this to Marty to do as the last thing before paint.

Fitted up a windscreen frame holder to the dash and have now disassembled the windscreen to get the frame and bits repolished. Will then get the windscreen refitted but with cut outs where the windwing and dash holder bolts screw into the frame.

Have also been working on my demister system. Made a fibreglass supply with a hose attachment. Will sikaflex it into position under the dash after paint.







Think I made this when I first had the unmounted body upside down. Not sure how it will work but it will keep the under dash arrangements tidy at least.

Getting closer every week.

Enjoy

[stephen low]

A small up-date in that I am busily stripping parts off the car in preparation of going to paint. No photos - sorry - but probably not worth it.

The engine bay needs re-attention due to some damage that happened during body refit, some filing of holes left off due to mis-communication originally during paint and some small wear and tear items.

I also need to get the radiator support cut back as it it touching the underside of the nose and will create issues if not done.

This means the radiator and system, some of the oil plumbing and all the air intake SS has come out of the engine bay.

The windscreen is still out being refitted and I took the opportunity to get the frame polished first and the seat frames are now out of the car.

Need to fit up latches and various rubbers, Marty will fit up my over-riders and then the car is off to Greg for the rest of its paint.

Wont know what to do with myself with an empty garage - ha!

Cheers

Steve

[stephen low]

With work really getting in the way of free time I thought I'd post this small update as I haven't been able to progress car work too far.

In this case as the title suggests actually missing items in this case is good as I clear the engine bay and the rest of the car to go to paint.

So a rather empty nose space sans radiator and cooling system, remote oil lines and cooler and the air intake elements.



And looking through the nose



So have generated a list of fixes for Greg before he hits the paint proper.

Had also aquired a nice new bullit mirror from Mr Snake Bite as I had a tatty old s/h job.

I now also have a nice shiny polished windscreen frame with new glass that Instant screens fitted for me. They went to town on the screen grinding scallops into the glass for the screw locations as well as doing some good finishing work to make it fit the screen well.

So progressing slowly but moving forward at least.

I guess I'd now be keen to hear about trimming success stories and Victorian trimmers in advance of deciding who to give this job to.

Would love names and details of trimmers you guys can recommend in Victoria.

Cheers

Slo

[stephen low]

With work really getting in the way of free time I thought I'd post this small update as I haven't been able to progress car work too far.

In this case as the title suggests actually missing items in this case is good as I clear the engine bay and the rest of the car to go to paint.

So a rather empty nose space sans radiator and cooling system, remote oil lines and cooler and the air intake elements.



And looking through the nose



So have generated a list of fixes for Greg before he hits the paint proper.

Had also aquired a nice new bullit mirror from Mr Snake Bite had a tatty old s/h job.

I now also have a nice shiny polished windscreen frame with a new glass that Instant screens went to town on grinding scallops into the glass for the screw locations.

So progressing slowly but moving forward at least.

I guess I'd now be keen to hear about trimming success stories and Victorian trimmers in advance of deciding who to give this job to.

Would love names and details of trimmers you guys can recommend in Victoria.

Cheers

Slo

[sambo]

Slowy... less internet, more Cobra.

Duncan Skinner will do my upholstery. Does concept work for holden, enough said?

[stephen low]

Paul

I've only got time for the laptop doing work so easy enough to slip some car stuff on, its finding hours in the garage that is only currently a weekend option now.

Thanks too where is Duncan based?

S