Cobra Completion Fundraiser for 767Jockey

[767Jockey]

Not really an update of what's been done, but rather a request for info and an update of sorts on what's coming up. I have all the parts I need now to install the Fluidyne radiator in a proper laid back position in the car. However, installing this will cause attachment of the body to the frame. I've decided that the body needs to come off one more time to more easily accomplish some of what needs to be done.

Right now, the body is only held onto the chassis with four finger tight bolts. For those of you who are not familiar with the Contemporary, it's a one piece molded body and tub. When I remove those four bolts, with one guy at each wheel well the body and interior lifts of in one piece and onto the floor next to the chassis in about one minute. The only issue is having enough guys on hand to lift it.

Once I have the body off, I need to get the work done quickly and get the body back on, as the car is in Bill's shop/garage. Taking up one space is greatly appreciated, taking up two (chassis in one space, body next to it in another) is really pushing the limits of good behavior. What I would like to do with the body off is:

Resolve the E-Brake situation once and for all
Re-do the rear brake caliper lines, if necessary
Run the hard fuel line
Remount (properly) the sway bar mounts
Run the main battery cables

Most of this work is self explanatory, however I have a few questions for you guys with regard to the sway bar mounts. Right now, the mounts are screwed into the round tube frame. I drilled and tapped the holes, and bolted it on. As I sat and gave this thought countless times over the past years, I believe that given the relatively thin wall nature of the frame tubing, this isn't enough meat for the bolt to hold on to. They tightened up fine and all, but I'm worried about them holding up under the stress of use. The way the body fits, I will not be able to remove these bolts with the body on, so I want to get this right.

I'm wanting to put some sort of threaded insert into the frame. I have seen kits that look like big pop rivets with threads on the inside, you drill an oversized hole, the insert is collared at the top to keep it on top of the material, and the end that you insert into the hole gets expanded with the dedicated insert tool, locking the insert into the hole. My question is, what is this type of insert called? If there is more than one, which is best for this application, and where do I get them? Do I rent the install tool or buy it? Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

[tcrist]

Doug,

That is called a "Rivnut".

rivnuts - Google Search

You will have to find out who locally sells them. They have them at Harbor Freight Harbor Freight Tools ,but who knows what the quality is.

You want the ones with the ribbs on the sides. That keeps them from turning. You still only have to drill a round hole, tap them in with a hammer/mallet and then collapse them. You can probably get away with an allen bolt and a thick washer to install them. Make sure that you get the steel ones. The aluminum ones are too week and the stainless ones are harder to install.

[madmaxx]

Harbor freight is pure junk, garbage, never use, crap, junk, garbage!!!!

[mickmate]

They use them to hold control arms on your car. They're plenty strong enough for sway bar mounts.

[legenmetals]

I was shocked to learn Contemporary used this method to mount the upper and lower control arms. I would recommend oversizing the mounting holes and insert a drilled and tapped piece of cold rolled round stock and welded it into place. The steering rack also mounts the same way.

[jayscobras]

What the heck did he say???

[tcrist]

Already reported!!!

[tkb289]

Doug,

Checking in to see how you are doing and how things are coming along with your build. Hope all is well on both fronts ...

[patrickt]

Dang. How long until he actually fires up the car and then takes her out on the road so she can break down on some God-forsaken back woods curvy road so he can get the real Cobra experience?

[madmaxx]

For many (95%) they are better off buying a roller or complete car. Trust me you get plenty of wrench time and if u don't like simple and quick to sale. It doesn't have to be hard to be right!

[Legless]

Hi Doug,
I'm know I'm a bit late to this conversation by about 4 months but I used 12mm Rivnuts to mount my sway bar with no issues. I've found it to be a very handy tool and worth buying. I actually ended up getting two Rivnut tools, one ratchet type for larger Rivnuts and a Pop rivet type for smaller ones. You could say though I found the ratchet type tool a little counter intuitive when using upside down in cramped locations. I nearly ended up with a Rivnut tool permanently attached to the chassis as it was a pretty tight spot and when I went to unscrew the tool there wasn't enough clearance to fully extract the mandrel.

[767Jockey]

Well, here's yet another long, long overdue update. Bill (MTPockets) has been way more than incredibly patient and generous in allowing my car to slumber in his shop, awaiting me to come over and work on it. I have been up to my eyeballs in work (long story) and have done a terrible job in getting over there to work on it. I have come to the obvious conclusion that its better that I try to find someone to finish the car for me, as I have no room in my own very small garage for the car, and traveling over to Bills place to work on it, despite my best intentions to do so, is simply not working.

There is a very highly respected professional Cobra builder in our area who has agreed to come look at the car and give me a bid to complete it. Hopefully, seeing that the majority of the work is done, the bid will be something that I can do, and this car will finally get done!

It's been a long road, a road paved by all you incredible guys. It's more than time to get this car done and driven. It will get done, it will get driven. I'll let you guys know how it all pans out.

Again, as always, thanks a million for all your help and best wishes. I'm still here, and I hope to drive this car in the near future. For those of you in the area, and those who wish to come down, when that happens, it's going to be a hell of a party at my place!

Doug

[dcdoug]

Hey Doug - any update on progress?

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Hey Doug - any update on progress?

Not much yet, Doug. The car is in the shop, and I'm just waiting to hear what's happening with it. I don't want to pester the guy who's working on it. I gave it to him with the understanding that he'd work on the car as filler work when time allowed and the shop was slow.

How's everything with you?

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Not much yet, Doug. The car is in the shop, and I'm just waiting to hear what's happening with it. I don't want to pester the guy who's working on it. I gave it to him with the understanding that he'd work on the car as filler work when time allowed and the shop was slow.

How's everything with you?

Hope you get it running soon! Things are good with me although very busy and it's cut into cobra time and club cobra time......

[Hydramada]

Coming up on the 4th anniversary of this thread. Any closer to having this beastie running?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Hydramada

Coming up on the 4th anniversary of this thread. Any closer to having this beastie running?

You know, I was just thinking about this thread. It started off with all of the best intentions, but somehow it got derailed. Sad.

[madmaxx]

I beleive the OP had made a decision to end the project but through the goodwill of CC members he was encouraged to continue. In the end it probably would have been better to let the OP move forward with his original plan.

[767Jockey]

Guys,

It is proceeding, just not as fast as I and all of you would like. I'm absolutely determined to see this to the end. The car is in a very well respected shop down here in the Houston area. The owner of the shop is having an extremely busy year, which is great news for all of us and for our hobby. He assures me that he will get to it when time allows, and that the car will be completed. Thankfully, my health seems to have steadied for the time being, I'm back at work, and saving up the war chest needed to pay for the completion of the car in the shop. All is well, the car will be finished, in no small part thanks to so many of you.

It is coming!

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Guys,

... Thankfully, my health seems to have steadied for the time being ...

Doug,

This is the best news !

When the car is ready, it's ready ... glad that your health is headed in the right direction

- Tim