Lippy's ERA #797 build log

[lippy]

Originally Posted by tkb289

lippy,

That’s a serious looking motor, Brent built you a beast! All installed as a complete assembly, nice job … your helpers do good work.

The plumbing looks great, the remote oil filter setup is very cool. What type of fuel pump are you running?

Nice work with the photos, keep them coming!

We looked at a lot of pumps. We initially were going to use a RobbMC but it didn't clear properly. We ended up going with a Carter high-capacity pump. We did the math and it should work fine, with plenty of safety factor. Brent and Barry use them on several of their builds. I really wanted to avoid an electric pump if possible because I don't want the extra wiring and complexity, and IMO the only way they are dead reliable is with a return line and in-tank (confirmed by tech guys at Aeromotive and Holley).

[lippy]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

The regulator and all that plumbing is not needed. The Carter will only give you 7psi.
Plus, you'll bury it when the upper rad hose goes on.

Chas,
That's what I thought too, but Brent, as well as the tech guys at Aeromotive and Holley, advised me to use it. It is more complex, but I minimized the number of fittings and went straight from the regulator to the carb. No fuel log. Hopefully I can get at them with the rad hoses in place to snug them if they leak. Thx,
-Lippy

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

What size tubing is on that driveshaft?

I'd have to ask ERA, but it is strengthened and they told me it is good for >600HP. I think my weak link is the half shafts, but they said they should hold unless I "drive like an ***hole."

[lippy]

I want to replace the black upper alt bracket, or at least refinish it nicely in silver. Anyone know of a nice billet one for an FE (upper only)?

[blykins]

Originally Posted by lippy

I'd have to ask ERA, but it is strengthened and they told me it is good for >600HP. I think my weak link is the half shafts, but they said they should hold unless I "drive like an ***hole."

It looks like the driveshaft off of my dad's Suzuki Samurai.....

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

It looks like the driveshaft off of my dad's Suzuki Samurai.....

Hopefully it isn't one of those.

[blykins]

So are you in the pictures up above? I'm curious to see if you have more hair than I do.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

Hopefully it isn't one of those.

It isn't. ERA was having them made by Machine Service, Inc. in Green Bay, WI. I know that's who made mine. I don't think I've ever heard of one getting twisted/busted. U-Joints and stub axles, yes... but never the drive shaft itself.

[blykins]

I was just giving Jeff a hard time. I've just never seen driveshaft tubing that small on a Cobra. Normally, we use 3" or 3.5" diameter for big horsepower stuff.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

I was just giving Jeff a hard time. I've just never seen driveshaft tubing that small on a Cobra. Normally, we use 3" or 3.5" diameter for big horsepower stuff.

No problem. But with that motor, if he gets really sticky tires on there, and if he drops it really hard out of the hole, it will almost certainly break something. Most likely the stubs....

[blykins]

Yep......

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

So are you in the pictures up above? I'm curious to see if you have more hair than I do.

I'm the guy in the black Indian Motorcycle tee, no hat. WRT the question about the hair, it depends on the angle you're looking from.

[blykins]

Doesn't matter which angle you look at me from. Bald is bald.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by lippy

I want to replace the black upper alt bracket, or at least refinish it nicely in silver. Anyone know of a nice billet one for an FE (upper only)?

Try Kirkham.

Forgot the link: http://kirkhammotorsports.com/products/parts/59

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

I was just giving Jeff a hard time. I've just never seen driveshaft tubing that small on a Cobra. Normally, we use 3" or 3.5" diameter for big horsepower stuff.

Here is a Kirkham driveshaft. Looks similar to mine in diameter. Just sayin'.

[lippy]

I'm making good progress and hope to start the car for the first time this next weekend. But the car has been fighting me the whole way since we dropped in the engine.

- Finished plumbing the fuel regulator and lines
- Completed the accelerator linkage
- Finished the remote oil adapter. The filter was interfering with the front crossmember, so I had to have 1/4" milled off the adapter bracket.
- Cut the tunnel and installed the trim ring and boot for the shifter
- Mounted the fire extinguisher on the bulkhead
- Had the trans out 3x because the clutch wouldn't disengage. I'm pretty sure now the problem was interference between the clutch splines and the throw out bearing retainer (thanks to Brent and the folks here) so I removed the bearing retainer and am having it cut down 5/16"
- Repainted and installed the expansion tank. It was interfering with the distributor so I had to have a 1/2" aluminum spacer made to fix that problem
- Installed the headers and sidepipes. One side went on easy, the other was a b*tch and I dented/dinged a collector tube on a sidepipe. Bummer, and the only real damage so far. I will just live with it for now.
- Installed a braided stainless hose for the oil pressure circuit, and installed the other senders






Hard to see it with this angle, but the bearing retainer is too long.

[GT350Mike]

Before I decided to go with a stock bracket, I found this site that offers a few options.

Ford FE 390, 427, 428 Alternator and Power Steering Brackets

[lippy]

Originally Posted by GT350Mike

Before I decided to go with a stock bracket, I found this site that offers a few options.

Ford FE 390, 427, 428 Alternator and Power Steering Brackets

Those look nice. I ended up changing the black one to a silver ceramic coated one from ERA. It's not a slick billet aluminum piece, but it looks clean and blends in well.

[lippy]

First start and first drive today. TKB came by and was a huge help. I had a few things to finish: rough alignment, hang and adjust the doors, and assemble the interior. Before the first start, I primed the oil pump, set the timing (static), and it fired right up. Then I set the timing with a strobe and fixed a few small leaks - nothing major.

I took it first up the street and back and then checked it out. Then I took it about 2 mi to a gas station. I'm surprised how smooth and easy to steer this car is. Brakes seemed fine, clutch too.

The only things that don't seem to be working at this point are the tach and the speedo, so I'll try to chase those problems down later this weekend.




With TKB's car

[PLDRIVE]

Looks good Lippy!