Cobra's to the Coast (Sat.)

[Monster]

Tom B. has arranged for folks to meet for breakfast at the Embasy Suite South SF on Sat. morning. (see Alice's breakfast Thread)

Since it's a bit early for some of our co-pilots to get up to meet from the East Bay (and we just used up our brownie points getting them up early for Snakes last Friday).

A group will be leaving Rockhouse at 8:30 to drive over to Embasy Suite and meet up for the drive north to Sonoma.

Please let me know if you wish to join this group.

Thanks,
Mike

[Got the Bug]

How was day 1 of the great Cobra adventure for the Texas group? Hope you're enjoying the Northern California scenery so far!

[289fia_cobra]

The day went very well. Aside from the overcast and wet roads, the sun did show itself this afternoon. I have some shots but pretty tired.

The people from Texas are great! Wine tasting, lunch and the drive made for one good day (and no sunburn!) Will post some pictures tomorrow.

[Rick Parker]

I was headed to Infineon and saw a group of the cars at one of the Wineries at about 11:00 this morning. It looked like a good day to Share one of the better parts of the state with the Visitors.

[LuvDaBlues]

Say Herman,

You give me your email address, and we'll send you the "Photo of the Day"!

Your new best freinds,

Steve and Yancey

So far, great time. Very tired last night, but ready roll this morning.

One of a handfull of winerys: The Gabriel's, the Seitz's, the Wagner's and Mike looking at our butts.


How to pack a SPF:


A LOT of these, .......MMMmmmmm good:


If it wasn't for our fearless leaders, I would have been lost:


And of coarse, Herman at his best:

[Got the Bug]

Looks like a good time!

Kathleen and I are planning on joining the group for the drive down to Monterey on Monday. The weather is great in Santa Cruz this afternoon (clouds and sunshine) with a clear view of Monterey.

[289fia_cobra]

The day started off overcast and damp as I arrived at the So. SF Embassy Suites. We met up with the Texas Cobra Club and got to know the people as their cars were being unloaded. In all, we had 6 Cobras and 1 Karman Ghia.

Only 3 of the 7 cars went up with us; the rest just took off to wherever they planned, it seems.

We took a route that led us to AT&T Ball Park, the Embarcadero, Fishermans Wharf, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge before heading up into Sonoma. I only stayed with the group through 3 wineries and lunch but had a load of fun with this group.

And you HAD to be with us at Viansa Winery to understand "the picture".

Enjoy these pictures:

[Monster]

Herman,

Great pictures! I have a few more at Viansa I can post for you

Thanks again,
Mike

[Paul F]

Good stuff. How did the trip to Half Moon Bay go? On the way back north, it got sunny.

Mike, was the fishing pole photographer going to send you the pictures?

[289fia_cobra]

Originally Posted by Monster

Herman,

Great pictures! I have a few more at Viansa I can post for you

Thanks again,
Mike

Go ahead Mike. I'm curious to see what you took.

[Got the Bug]

Kathleen and I drove over to San Jose this morning to meet up with the Texas Cobra Club. We led the group back over Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz, up around the University, and then down West Cliff Drive and out to the Santa Cruz wharf for lunch.

It was great meeting all of the folks from the Texas Cobra Club! Have a fun and safe trip down the Coast to Monterey and Southern California.

Here's a picture of the group leaving the wharf after lunch heading out to Monterey.

[289fia_cobra]

Doug, thanks for taking them through your neck of the woods. I'm sure they were impressed with the scenery (we had just too much fog covering up most of the SF sights - see my bridge photo!)

[Monster]

I heard from the group last night and unfortunately Steve S. had an issue with a roller rocker on thier way over to Laguna Seca. We worked on identifying the manufacturer & locating a replacement last night/this AM. Found it to be a Precission Oil rocker. Good news is Precission Oilis in Clovis,CA and stand behined their products and will give Steve replacements. Bad news is it's about a 6hr round trip from Monterey to Clovis. James stayed behind with Steve and if all goes well they should be back on the road late this afternoon. I'll check with them later and report back.



Mike

Update: Got a quick call from Steve they are back running and getting on the road

[289fia_cobra]

ug.... but good thing they were in CA, and not in TX!

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by Monster

I heard from the group last night and unfortunately Steve S. had an issue with a roller rocker on thier way over to Laguna Seca. We worked on identifying the manufacturer & locating a replacement last night/this AM. Found it to be a Precission Oil rocker. Good news is Precission Oilis in Clovis,CA and stand behined their products and will give Steve replacements. Bad news is it's about a 6hr round trip from Monterey to Clovis. James stayed behind with Steve and if all goes well they should be back on the road late this afternoon. I'll check with them later and report back.



Mike

Update: Got a quick call from Steve they are back running and getting on the road

Mike,

Any word from Steve about the repair? I hope those guys got back on the road today.

[LuvDaBlues]

We're up and running. But James broke a valve spring in the process. Will fix tomorrow AM, and be on the road again. We've pushed all activities back one day, except the transport pickup Saturday.

We hauled ass to Clovis and back. Left at 8:30 AM, dropped by Laguna Seca for parts from the car, to Clovis to the manufacturer, To Quizno's, back to Laguna Seca, fixed the car and back in Monterey with car by 5:00 AM. I felt we were in Gumball Rally. But no Ferrari's involved.

But the bigger story is what happened to Group 1 last night. I need to know more about how to get kicked out of a hotel!!!!!!!

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by LuvDaBlues

We're up and running. But James broke a valve spring in the process. Will fix tomorrow AM, and be on the road again. We've pushed all activities back one day, except the transport pickup Saturday.

We hauled ass to Clovis and back. Left at 8:30 AM, dropped by Laguna Seca for parts from the car, to Clovis to the manufacturer, To Quizno's, fix the car and back in Monterey with car by 5:00 AM. I felt we were in Gumball Rally. But no Ferrari's.

But the bigger story is what happened to Group 1 last night. I need to know more about how to get kicked out of a hotel!!!!!!!

Good news Steve! Guessing you guys have everything need to do the repair? IM me if there's anything I can do. I'm only 45 minutes away.

Kicked out of the hotel? Good story behind that one I'm sure.

[LuvDaBlues]

Originally Posted by LuvDaBlues

We're up and running. But James broke a valve spring in the process. Will fix tomorrow AM, and be on the road again. We've pushed all activities back one day, except the transport pickup Saturday.

Note to one's self. When traveling out of town with these cars, take every single phone number that was "involved" with the car. I left the "big" folder at home, and that's how I was delayed.

"Monster" Mike was up half the night trying to match up the failed rocker photo with web site photo's. What a guy, even though it didn't work out. I owe you for that one.

The trail of phone calls numbered 9 not including Mike.

1) Keith Craft cell phone (interrupted his evening...... sorry dude)
2) Tony at KCM. Not their rocker, but will help look. (they only rebuilt the engine)
3, 4, 5) Dove, Harland-Sharp, Crane. Not there rockers, but one guessed Ford Power Parts, who is now out of business.
6) My Daughter, had to leave work to find the "big" book at home. (not a happy camper)
7) Original engine owner, who had a machinest work the heads, but died two years ago. (I thought I was up a creek, but he didn't change the rockers out..... phew!)
8) Tim at Genesis, who knows the rocker manufacturer. (Tim was the original engine builder)
9) Doug at Precision Oil Pumps, who worked for Ford Power Parts .............. BINGO!!

Turns out Doug acquired all the engineering and drawings after "FPP" closed their doors and was running his own shop. And he was 160 miles from where we were. ( What a coincidence ) Hence the "Gumball" to Clovis.

Reason rocker failed: Doug explained that design failed often due to not enough material around the shaft. (No kidding) So the new version is significantly thicker. Being a good guy, he handed over 3 rockers (not new ones because they wouldn't fit the old shaft support), a wad of spacer shims, and a set of new valve cover gaskets at no charge.

Yancey and I are heading to Hearst Castle and San Luis Obispo this morning with my newest hero, James and wife Penny (Gumball rally driver).

Nice guages!
Oh yeah,we first have to fix his car this morning.

[289fia_cobra]

THIS is what a road trip is all about. Sharing experiences good, bad, funny and embarassing.

PS: I Pm'd you with my email address.... Still waiting photos of "Sheena from Seattle".

[jshel1]

Nudity at the pool will do it every time, if you don't make nice when security shows up... but then so will hoofstock on the second floor promenade.

Thumbs up Steve and James.

Also, thumbs up Group 1; must have been some party.