Need help on 1991 built CR 427 car

jimhurtt · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2009, 07:43 PM

I bought a Cobra that was built by CR of Fargo in 1991. No info with it. I have no idea if the motor is a 289 or 302 (no big difference I guess). But I also have no idea what the transmission or rear end is. Also no color codes. Does anybody have any knowledge what CR used in 1991 when they built complete turnkey cars? Did they use 9 inch Ford rear ends? Did they use T-5 standard transmissions? If so, in 1991 would it be a World Class T5 (and therefore need Automatic Transmission Fluid instead of gear oil)? My car is red with a white stripe. Any idea as to what color of red and white they used then? Any help would be greatly appreciated, particularly as I need to change fluids and have no idea what to use.

Thanks

petek · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 08:16 AM

Pictures of the various parts would really help!

Double Venom · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 10:02 AM

Jim,
Not much help but the rear end if not a special order would be a 8.8 Ford, If in fact you have a 5-speed and it hasn't been changed it will be a standard-first edition T-5- it is not a "World Class T-5. No big deal there.
Color-find a PPG or Dupont dealer that has a portable "spectrum color tool". They can then tell you what the color is and the formula. For what it's worth, hope it helps.
DV

jimhurtt · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 11:36 AM

Petek: Tough to get a picture of the transmission or rear end. If I can figure out how to upload a pic I will show the car.

DV: Thanks for the info. Do you think I should use gear oil (75W-90W) or Automatic Transmission Fluid (as a lot of mustang posts suggest) in the manual transmission. I don't believe anything has been changed since the car was built by CR. Is there a way to tell the rear end make by the number of bolts or something?

If anyone out there has a 427 replica that was built by CR themselves in the early 90's and has any knowledge of what they used it would be really helpful.

Thanks, Jim

tcrist · #5 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 11:48 AM

Jim,
I believe a 9" Ford rearend has a drop out 3rd member where the 8.8 does not. The 8.8 has a cover on the back of the pumpkin. An inspection plate, sort of. The 9" does not. It is removed from the driveline side. My CR is a late 80's early 90's CR LTD. It has the 8.8 rear end. I bought it completly taken apart less motor and trans. It did come with a 302ci and a T-5.

(edit info) I was told it was factory built also by the guy I got it from. He also told me that it was a demo car but DV told me (on a previous thread) that they did not build demo's. PM me if you want and we can exchange phone numbers if you want to talk.

Terry

Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 01:41 PM

Jim,
Definately do NOT use 80/90 EXCEPT in the rear end! If you change that be sure and put a small bottle of the ugliest smelling stuff there is in it. Call "Ford friction modifier".
Tcrist is right, look at the back side of the pumpkin, if there are bolts around the edges it is an 8.8. If the bolts are on the front side it is a 9"--but very rare if any were used by CR's unless specifically ordered with one.
DV
ps. take a look on the last page of cpteddies/DV's build, there is a picture of the rear sway bar on the car and you can see the 9" in that one.
Here, this was just as easy. This is the rear of a 9' Ford housing....

jimhurtt · #7 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 04:55 PM

DV. Thanks again for the info. I take it that I should put Ford Mercon II or III ATF in my T-5 non-world class manual transmission, plus a bottle of the smelly stuff right?

My rear end has a chrome cover on the rear side with bolts all around it to hold it on. An 8.8 then, right?

Jim

Double Venom · #8 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 05:39 PM

Jim,
Smelly stuff is for the rear end. Yes, 8.8 with custom rear cover.
DV

MaSnaka · #9 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 07:51 PM

My CR has a 8" rear end. No removable cover on rear but has identifing ribs on the driveline side. Also known as a baby 9". Title showed it as a 1997. Also a top loader 4 speed.

You may find a tag attached to one of the bolts around your pumpkin which has some id info.

John

jimhurtt · #10 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 10:12 PM

Sorry DV. I meant the Ford Friction Modifier to go in the rear end along with 80W-90W Gear Oil. Hate to be dense but again do you recommend Ford Mercon II/III ATF for the transmission?

Thanks MaSnaka but no tags on rear end or transmission.

Jim