Contemporary Classic Forum Now here!

[John McMahon]

Hmmmm....I know they used Camaro tanks on these cars too. Most Contemporarys that came with fuel cells, were produced (I believe) by a company called Triangle somewhere in FL. It was a 20 gal cell.



The wind wing issue is not unique, many have the same issue, all depends on the setup, that is why I mounted my Raydyots on the windshield and did away with the wind wings, but I had a 289FIA.



I know most parts were supplied to Peter Bayer from Finish Line and Cobra Restorers, you may check with either on the seats and tonneau cover.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by jeff.nel

I need a larger gas tank. Mine is from a 80's Mustang and only has a 14 gallon capacity.

Jeff,

Are you sure the tank is from a Mustang and not a 78-81 Camaro/Firebird, as all that I have seen (since 002) have either been a custom fuel cell as JM stated, or the above mentioned unit(s).


Bill S.

[mickmate]

Cobrajam that sounds like the right size radiator if it has the thick (3") core. Does yours have the two 1/2" mounting pins on the bottom and one top centre? If so I can help with some bracket dimensions for you.
Jeff.nel I can make a tank for you in stainless, mild or aluminum if you don't want Chevy parts in it. I'd heard Camaro tank too. I've got the CCX tank dimensions noted from Jeffs car I'll post them here under a new topic of tanks.

[cobrarkc]

Jeff.nel
I have a very very early car and it has a Camaro tank in it. From what I have heard they don't have a good vent on them and they only fill up a little over 3/4 of the away which is why it is 14 gallons. I suppose that it is possible that whoever built your car (if not you) could have used a different tank but that is the one Contemporary used.

[cobrajam]

It is 3" thick, but no pins, I figured I would have to get everything fabricated. I was kind of thinking I would have to come up with a lower mount with the 2 brackets for the pins that would have the proper angle to lean the radiator back. Also would have to come up with another couple of mounts off of the lower support to help secure the oil cooler. Was thinking of using a couple of shallow 3" channels to encompass the radiator on top and bottom which would give me something to weld the pins to, and use a couple of thin straps to tie in the top channel to the bottom, and maybe give me some way to mount the fan. And then come up with a hoop on the top to secure the top of radiator.

As far as the Contemporary fuel tank, I think they were actually like Midstates, using a modified '69 Camaro gas tank. Plugged the inlet that was in the center back of the tank, and installed a new inlet on the right side, close to the middle.

[jeff.nel]

I was told from the serial number it was off a 80's Mustang, but I'm not sure of anything. I think nickmate may be hooking me up with a custom fabrication that will bolt right in.

[setarch]

can anyone tell me the mounting details for a replacement steering wheel for the Contemporary Claasic cars? Mine is locked away in a shop for the winter, and I want to order a Moto Lita wood wheel. thanks, Steve Tise, Boston

[cob427]

427 Contemporary Classic car - The side pipe fixture below the door is loose. I see a bolt through a bracket up ito the small square box frame, but do not see a nut or threaded section. Any suggestions on how to tighten this?

[767Jockey]

The side pipe holder at the end that holds the exhaust tip end up is actually a sway bar link kit from a '57 Chevy - I just bought one. It's Moog part number K6217.

[cob427]

Thanks. Mine is a bracket welded to the pipe. A bolt goes through the bracket and into the small box section. Question is whether any of our Contemporary Classic owners know how to tighten this?

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by cob427

Thanks. Mine is a bracket welded to the pipe. A bolt goes through the bracket and into the small box section. Question is whether any of our Contemporary Classic owners know how to tighten this?

Sorry, I wasn't clear on what I said. Looking at the bracket welded to the sidepipe, the bolt and rubber bushing arrangement attaches to it that you're trying to tighten in actually a sway bar link kit, part number as described above. The head of the bolt you're trying to tighten passes through the floor of the car and is under your carpeting. If the rubber bushings and bolt threads are good, just pop the carpet up to tighten it. It may be under your seat, I took mine apart long ago so the memory may be faded a bit. If the parts are not good, order the above part - one link per kit. To replace both sides order two. Hope that helps.

[cob427]

Thanks. I had also come to the conclusion that seat removal is necessary. Will do that today. Thanks again for the help.

[cob427]

This is a great forum for our cars. I appreciate the details regarding the Contemporary Classic cars that you posted. I think that our cars are quite close in time frame and I wonder if you can help me. The side pipes have come just a little loose. I see a bolt through the bracket, and then a sleeve, and then the box section below the door area. My question is how do I tighten this up? There is no hole in the floor, so the fixture is either in the box section, or is the box section itself. Looks like you have some literature so can you help me with this? Thanks, Jeff B.

[767Jockey]

well, all I can tell you is that mine passed through the floor into the inside of the car and I had remove the seat and flip up the rug and tighten it. Sorry I can't be more help without seeing your setup.

[cobrajam]

Hmmmm, another Jeff working on putting together a Contemporary? See that makes Jeff G., Jeff N., Jeff B. so far? Plus yours truly Jeff M. Sounds like posting some pics or placing some in your galleries would help everyone including me.
Today I dropped the '27 into the chassis, bolted up the bellhousing and the T-5. It appears using the 2 bolt motor mounts that ERA recommends versus the 3 bolt in the Contemporary manual, places everything were it needs to be. Since the T-5 mount appears taller than the toploader mount, I resolved by flipping the transmission crossmember over, thus moving the mounting surface lower, and then drilling a couple more holes as the T-5 mounts are further back and narrower. I next installed the Midstates supplied headers and sidepipes. I will not know for sure until I drop the body down tomorrow, but it looks like they will exit were they should. The Midstates sidepipes were mounted with a clamp that actually held the exhaust tip on, and ran underneath to attach to the frame, I had just used a heavy piece of rubber for insulation on the first one I built. A couple of issues may force me to utilize the Contemporary style of mounting the pipes. One, I have yet to locate the Midstates style clamps, could swear they are there in my pile of parts somewhere. Two, I returned one of the turnouts to Midstates, I noticed it had slightly split where they bent it, and did not get a replacement in time. I could definitely use some pics to see how 'pipes are mounted. Thanks, Jeff M.

[cob427]

Well, if its of interest to other Contemporary owners, here is the scoop on mounting the side pipes for chassis number 3155. I know from very welcome help on this forum, that some have a mounting bolt coming through the floor under the seat, with a securing nut there. On #3155 (and I suppose others around that number) there is a bracket welded to the side pipe. A 3 1/4 inch spacer tube sits between the pipe bracket and the 1 1/2 inch box section below the floor. A long 4 inch bolt runs from the bracket, through the spacer and into a threaded section in the box frame. Nothing comes through the floor. Good luck to all with these great cars.

[Ratsnake]

Hi guys,
I might be purchasing a 1985 Contemporary that needs considerable body work . It had a pretty good hit in the L/F, such that it might be cheaper for me to just buy another body. Does anybody know which body will fit this chassis without to much modification ? I've seen somebody with a Midstates, which is now Shell Valley.

Thanks in advance,

[gjcomb]

Jeff/Brent;

Thanks for the work in setting up a site we can all get together...nice to have a home for the Contemporary folks..

Jeff.nel - I agree with Jeff G. - start a new message with the parts you need and we can try to provide you information from our sources, since there are a few that you can use.

[setarch]

does anyone know how Contemporary fabricated their steering arms? the Jaguar upright had an adapted arm that is bolted once and welded. I need replacement arm(s). Scary......................

[Danr55]

Setarch, WHich arm are you talking about? The arm that extends from the steering rack to the ball joint?