Stock Ford engines & transmissions

[65 CobraCharlie]

Hi everyone, another newbie here. I'm really enjoying this forum and have already learned a lot in my first day. My name is Charlie and I live near Asheville, NC. My wife and I dream of owning a completed Cobra kit
I have a question that I have not seen addressed here (sorry if I just missed it).
After searching this site and EBay, I notice that many engines and transmissions have been modified. Are there any known sellers that use stock Ford engines and transmissions? Since I live in a somewhat remote area, I would like to have a car that a general Ford mechanic could work on (if the work is too much for me). I just get a little nervous when I see the comments about bored engines, aftermarket electronics, etc. A stock 4.6 or 5.0 type Ford engine, with matching 5 speed would be acceptable. My budget is $30-40k.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[G_Edmonds]

Welcome Charlie!
I'm one of the guys that's been through a few engines and constantly looking for more power. That just tends to be my hotrodder nature. I travel and cruise with a group of up 10-15 guys with an array of cobra brands and power levels. I promise you the lower powered guys are having just as much fun as the high powered guys. A basic 302 with a manual trans in a Factory Five makes a light weight, simple, responsive car. It's also easy to add 50 or more HP without hurting reliability. You'll be way ahead money wise, and time wise to buy one already built than build it yourself. Get another Cobra guy to look at a used one with you, and he can help find any issues.
Good luck.
-Greg

[120mm]

The small block Ford is no mystery to a mechanic. Just about any crate engine based on the 302/5.0 or 351/5.8 block is dirt simple for anyone who knows cars to work on. And they fit right in nearly every kit I am aware of.

Almost all crate engines come overbored .030, and that's something that has no relation to reliability or ease to work on.

At this point, I'd say you don't know what you don't know and more research is in order.

Heck, Factory Five offers Blueprint Engine/T-5 transmission packages that take the guesswork right out of it. Whether a Ford engine is stock or not has nothing to do with it.

[Tommy]

Charlie,
What follows is just one opinion. Don't give it more weight than it deserves.

A Cobra replica is nothing like the contemporary cars seen by Ford service departments. That doesn't mean there aren't mechanics at the dealership who know about carburetors, aftermarket ignitions, and custom wiring harnesses. BUT, there are many contemporary (young) mechanics who mostly deal with computer guided analysis and factory parts replacement. ... Cobra replicas, including those with newer engines, are more like hot rods than a 2016 Mustang. Rather than look for a Cobra replica with dealership qualities, I suggest you start by locating a trustworthy hot rod shop or performance engine shop nearby. If you can find one you like, it will free you to look for the car that best suits your tastes and budget without worrying about getting one that suits your local Ford service department. .... Lastly, each replica is unique in how it was equipped and assembled. Because some were assembled better than others, you should either check EVERY detail yourself before driving it much, or you should have your trustworthy mechanic check it out. That's another reason why you want a hot rod shop to do the work rather than some young guy down at the dealership.

Good luck with your search.

[Three Peaks]

It really wouldn't be a Cobra if you aren't working on it all the time....

Bob

[YerDugliness]

What Tommy said above!!!

I may be the type of situation you describe. My replica's engine has a box-stock long block out of a 1989 Ford Mustang GT. The factory EFI induction has been removed and the engine is fitted with an Edelbrock intake/carb package. That eliminates the need for a computer to manage the engine. The sidepipes have replaced the stock exhaust. That is about as close to stock as you can get and still have any sort of period correct appearance once the hood is opened.

This vehicle has required one carb rebuild and one distributor control module replacement in the 12,000 miles I have put on it. Any Ford dealership can work on it and I cannot count the number of independent shop owners who have asked me to use their services, almost all of whom commented on the engine's ease of service.

Is it fast enough? It would be if it would hook up better! These things are light and their power:weight ratio is as good as almost any factory performance car. Most of us lower-powered Cobraphiles enjoy our cars every bit as much as the big block guys...but it is true, we all really want more power, no matter how much we already have.

You can have a real blast in a roadster replica with a factory EFI engine. Computers have really increased engine reliability and power...and factory dealerships LOVE them. F5R has been one of the manufacturers who offers a kit designed to use the factory computer control systems.

Good luck! I would certainly second the suggestion that you buy an already completed and "sorted" replica. There are some remarkable bargains on the used market, just exercise due diligence.

Cheers from Dugly

[Bob Hess]

Do a search for Olthoff Racing on the web. They are in Mt. Ulla, NC and are very good with Cobras of any kind.

[CHANMADD]

Look around ,. there are a lot of Cobras with a stock factory 302 with fuel injection and even automatic trans out there..also the less hot rod ..the less the price..

[65 CobraCharlie]

Greg, thank you for your response. I'll certainly keep your points in mind as I continue my search. Thanks again

[65 CobraCharlie]

Guys, thank you so much for your input. This is really helpful. Bob even gave me the name of Olthoff Racing here in NC. The bottom line is that I don't live in an urban area where specialty cars are very well known. Knowing that, I was leaning toward a more stock-like engine/transmission. Plus, my wife will want to drive the car. So, I don't want her to have 500 hp under her right foot. Thanks again for all the awesome suggestions and ideas

[eschaider]

When properly built, most wives will only want to drive a Cobra once. In fact you may have to drive her home from that first outing.

The danger comes when/if the wife enjoys it and then well, ... you're in trouble.


Ed

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by 65 CobraCharlie

So, I don't want her to have 500 hp under her right foot.

It is entirely possible to install a removable throttle stop that would, for example, prevent a four barrel carb from opening more than the first two barrels.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by 65 CobraCharlie

Hi everyone, another newbie here. I'm really enjoying this forum and have already learned a lot in my first day. My name is Charlie and I live near Asheville, NC. My wife and I dream of owning a completed Cobra kit
I have a question that I have not seen addressed here (sorry if I just missed it).
After searching this site and EBay, I notice that many engines and transmissions have been modified. Are there any known sellers that use stock Ford engines and transmissions? Since I live in a somewhat remote area, I would like to have a car that a general Ford mechanic could work on (if the work is too much for me). I just get a little nervous when I see the comments about bored engines, aftermarket electronics, etc. A stock 4.6 or 5.0 type Ford engine, with matching 5 speed would be acceptable. My budget is $30-40k.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

You might be interested in this article: https://www.rcnmag.com/fresh-finds/s...ampaign=170227

[120mm]

Originally Posted by eschaider

When properly built, most wives will only want to drive a Cobra once. In fact you may have to drive her home from that first outing.

The danger comes when/if the wife enjoys it and then well, ... YOU'D HAVE A KEEPER.


Ed

There... fixed it for you.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by eschaider

When properly built, most wives will only want to drive a Cobra once. In fact you may have to drive her home from that first outing.

The danger comes when/if the wife enjoys it and then well, ... you're in trouble.

Ed

My wife likes the Cobra, but as a passenger - she is not interested in driving it. Between no experience with manual transmissions and a higher level of driving caution due to impaired vision in one eye (5 eye surgeries due to detached retina and complications related thereto) she's quite satisfied being a passenger and people-watching all the people watching us!

YMMV

[YerDugliness]

I will say this to the OP...make sure if you do buy an already built replica that you get the history from the seller...including the sources for all of the equipment on the car.

You would be surprised how hard it is to walk into an Auto Zone or O'Reilley's and ask for a replacement solenoid for a Cobra replica, the counter guys don't know from nothing about that and their reference manuals do not include that description...but if you know they used parts from a 1998 Mustang GT, the counter guy can find what you need.

A lot of builders will keep a book, complete with photos, of the build. Ask for any documentation, such as that book, or receipts for parts used to build the car. That information will come in handy when you need to repair a clutch, using that as just one example, or almost any other part. I needed a "normally on" switch for my brake system and ended up with a Chrysler part, but only because the counter guy had a long history of having been involved in builds. If it weren't for him, I'd have never gotten back on the road.

Cheers!...and again, good luck in your search. You've been smart to ask questions before you buy, hoping our advice has helped.

Dugly

[brodie]

Summit racing has 347 stoker engine that's not that expensive. Or race junk.com

[120mm]

I would think the OP would be happier with "standard" or "typical" rather than "stock".

A 4.6 or 5.0 Coyote is an unusual engine to put in a Cobra replica. Because of this, stock or no, there will be some weirdness involved with those kinds of "stock" builds.

The standard, or typical build involves a 302 or 5.0 SBF (really the same thing, for our purposes) with a four barrel carb and a T5z five speed transmission. Dead simple, and easy to work on. I'd also say for simplicity and economy sake, a straight or live axle might be something he's interested in. If the car doesn't have power steering, air conditioning, stereo, or other extra wired appliances, it should be stone cold simple to construct and maintain.

In effect, these cars are just big go-karts with a plastic body kit. If you look at it that way, they are much less intimidating.

BTW, that Summit 347 is a Blueprint of ATK crate engine. Blueprint offers a 347 "kit" with everything you need to put in a FFR replica, and the 347 is just a 302 with a bigger stroke; nothing that changes the recipe I describe above.

BTBTW, there are four basic families of Ford powerplants for these cars. 302, 351, FE and 385-series engines.

302 also includes 306, 331, 347 and 363. 351 includes 357, 392, 408 and 427w. FE includes 352, 390, 410, 427, 428, 431, 445 and 482. 385 series includes 429, 460 and a buttload of bigger versions. Your car or mechanic really can't tell the difference, installation wise as to what cubic inch displacement your engine is, though your butt definitely will when you hit the loud pedal.

The most common engines you see are going to be 302 and 351 based. I would consider the FE and 385 series to be "specialist" engines, though the FE came stock in the 3xxx series of Cobra.

[Bartruff1]

Those Cobras for under 25 would be a good place to start....

if I ever have another built, I will go slab side with a box stock 289...we all have different wants and needs....I have no need for 500 hp nor do I have any desire to "work" on a car.

I think I read in that same magazine (Reincarnation) in a later edition that Factory Five is now offering a turn key with stock 4.6 Ford ??