Small update

Aussie Mike · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 12:29 AM

Haven't posted any updates for a while. I've been busy with other projects or doing stuff on the car that's not very interesting (like bodywork).

Been finishing off a few things on the chassis before I send it off to get sand blasted and powder coated / painted (haven't decided yet).

I fabricated a driveshaft safety loop since the original disapeared after changing the hand brake setup. The original hoop was only 180 degrees and too far forward to do any good in the event of a uni breaking.

The new one is 360 degrees and can be unbolted to make it easier to remove the drive shaft. It's always made me a bit nervous the thought of the drive shaft spinning right next to my hip with nothing but a layer of fiberglass in between. I'll probably never have a problem with the drive shaft it but it's worth it for the piece of mind.

You can see the mark on the chassis where the old hoop was ground off. That'll give an idea of how it sat in relation to the drive shaft.

Finally finished off the power steering. Got the cooler mounted and made up all the lines to connect everything.

The other thing to do was to make some mounts and weld them to the cross member for the Accusump. Originally I was thinking of mounting it on the passengers foot box but decided this will keep the weight lower down on the car and keep it away from the heat from the side pipes.

Hoping to strip the whole thing down in the next week or so to take the chassis in for blasting. After that it'll be bolting everything back on for the last time. Can't wait.

Cheers

guye · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 07:21 AM

Great work, Mike. Will definitely have to make a shed run one weekend. Especially now I've started the welding course so I am almost worthy .... :-)

Save me looking it up, Mike. What's an Accusump? Presumably one of these things to maintain oil pressure under race conditions?

750hp · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 08:04 AM

Looking good Mike. Out of interest, what are your pros and cons for paint/powdercoating?

Jerry Clayton · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 09:03 AM

Where's the dragster???????????????

gjkrv8 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 03:59 PM

Nice work Mike. I think I might do a safety hoop one day too. I like the Accusump as well. Cheers Gregg

Baz · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guye

Great work, Mike. Will definitely have to make a shed run one weekend. Especially now I've started the welding course so I am almost worthy .... :-)

Save me looking it up, Mike. What's an Accusump? Presumably one of these things to maintain oil pressure under race conditions?

I'm pretty sure that it saves engine wear from cold starts. Provides an instant supply of oil to the important engine parts as soon as the key is turned.

Baz

Chris L · #7 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 04:46 PM

"Everything back on for the last time"................that's something different for you Mike !!. Jury is still out on that one ! Looking forward to your progress.

Cheers
Chris & Melissa Lidgerwood

Aussie Mike · #8 (**permalink**) 07-28-2014, 06:12 PM

Yep, I'm turning over a new leaf Chris

I've just got to get id done and back on the road. I feel like I'm a bit of a joke sometimes as this thing has been going on for such a long time.

Yep you guys are right about the Accusump. It helps with the Oiling. It does a twofold job. At startup it pre oils the engine to reduce wear. When running it helps protect the engine from oil surge.

It operates via a piston in the tank with pressurized air on one side of it. The engine oil pressure works against it.

I'm tempted to set it up with a solenoid valve and a pressure switch all powered by ignition battery. When the Oil pressure drops below 20PSI the valve will open dumping the oil into the main gallery via the lines from the oil cooler. That means it'll be triggered when you fist turn the key and the engine is off. It will also automatically close the valve when you turn the key off and store the engine oil pressure in the tank. When the oil pressure drops below 20 PSI due to surge etc the unit discharges.

Cheers

Aussie Mike · #9 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

Where's the dragster???????????????

Still just a collection of parts on the shelf and dreams in my head.

Probably a retirement project.

Aussie Mike · #10 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 750hp

Looking good Mike. Out of interest, what are your pros and cons for paint/powdercoating?

My pros and cons for paint/powdercoat

Powdercoat gives a nice hard glossy durable finish. on the downside it's difficult to refinish if I make any changes or repairs to the chassis.

The other downside I've seen is that it can chip if hit by stones etc

Paint and were talking an epoxy paint or PRO15 here can also give a nice finish but a bit more work to achieve. It's probably cheaper as it can be done at home. With any repairs or mods are easier to fix the paint after.

On the downside it may not be as durable to general wear and tear. Probably not as solvent resistant as powdercoat.

So I'm waiting on a few quotes at the moment before I decide. If it's cheap enough I'll go powdercoat to save me some messing around with painting.

Cheers

750hp · #11 (**permalink**) 07-29-2014, 04:57 AM

Thanks Mike, that's interesting to hear. The first thing I thought with powdercoat was the inability to touch it up nicely if you added brackets etc.

Not that you're going to reengineer your car anytime in the future. Of course not...!

Accusump; Scotty mounted a remote cable to operate the manual valve on my Accusump for the old blue Cobra. Hop in, pull the cable open (mounted on the trans tunnel so easy to access), pre-oiled and ready to start up. It stayed open when running and I just closed off the valve before shutting the engine down. Worked a treat.

Aussie Mike · #12 (**permalink**) 09-01-2014, 12:05 AM

Well I finally finished all my chassis mods etc. The last one being to add some decent anchor points for the 6 point harness crotch straps (Submarine straps).

So on the weekend I loaded it up and this morning dropped it off to the sand blaster and powder coating shop. The bloke reckons it should be done by the end of the week.

Cant wait to get it back so I can start putting it together for the last time.

Cheers

leroy17 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-01-2014, 05:23 PM

I have to say that I am really really looking forward to seeking this.

You have comepleted some of the best fab work I have seen and down to the smallest of details.

Fresh powdered finish, what a base to reassemble.

Dimis · #14 (**permalink**) 09-01-2014, 06:45 PM

Mike,

Wishing you the best of success with this build!
You seemingly have put a lot of time, effort and attention to detail that is beyond most kits/cobras/cars.

Here's hoping it goes back together looking, and working like a $1million bucks!

Enjoy the fruits of your labour, they've been well earned

Aussie Mike · #15 (**permalink**) 09-10-2014, 06:49 PM

Picking up the finished chassis tonight. The colour is Mercury silver.

Cheers

boxhead · #16 (**permalink**) 09-10-2014, 07:45 PM

Looks great Mike.

Now the mad scramble to make ShelbyFest.

Chris L · #17 (**permalink**) 09-10-2014, 07:50 PM

I agree with Dave..........keep us all in the loop, cant wait to see it come alive !.
Cheers
Chris

Gav · #18 (**permalink**) 09-10-2014, 11:35 PM

Mike will you be racing or waxing at Shelbyfest?

Aussie Mike · #19 (**permalink**) 09-10-2014, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gav

Mike will you be racing or waxing at Shelbyfest?

I might be sanding

Rob. Smith · #20 (**permalink**) 09-11-2014, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

I'm pretty sure that it saves engine wear from cold starts. Provides an instant supply of oil to the important engine parts as soon as the key is turned.

Baz

Yep I've got one with a switch on the dash...flick that and the engine has oil pressure before I even turn it over !