Cobra Tool Kit - redux

[my427cobra]

Great pics and info guys. We're definitely into "Tool Time" now (with apologies to Tim Allen).

Cheers
Greg

[LMH]

Greg, have you noticed the number views of your thread? Sort of explains why the sale price of any tools that can possibly (and sometimes not possibly) be called "Cobra Tools" has gone through the ceiling!
Larry

[my427cobra]

Unintended consequences? Collateral damage? Time to sell?

Or start new threads on stuff we want to sell? (Maniacal laughter follows.)

Cheers
Greg

[LMH]

Just wanted to add this photo for record.
Shelley jack assembly during restoration.
Larry

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks, Larry.

After cleaning and prior to assembly did you lubricate the "Screw Threads" and if so with what ???

Y'all have a really great day.

Jack

[Armrer]

I'll jump in as Larry is on the road to Coronado races today.

I took the jack apart after unstaking the bottom of the small diameter threaded shaft, removing the old L saddle and unstaking the top of the big threaded shaft. It then came apart easily.

There is a thrust ball bearing assembly consisting of two hard flat washers, qty 12 ball bearings and an inner and outer cage. These had rust and high wear on them, especially the cages. I sourced a high quality roller thrust washer assembly that will fit perfectly, and has a much higher load rating and should be smoother. I'll send pix to Larry when those come in, along with source and parts #s for the new bearings.

As far as grease, I recommend Donnelly MPG #2. It's a very high temp mineral oil based grease with PTFE. It's clear, thick and won't melt off and drool in your trunk on hot days. Slippery as snot too.

After some thread repair, glass bead, painting and attachment of Acton's new proper saddle i will send pix to Larry to post as well.

Guys, I'd highly recommend disassembly, full inspection and bearing replacement on these old jacks found on Ebay, etc. Not worth risking your cars and health if not checked properly.

[legenmetals]

I'm racing at Coronado. First practice in 45 min.

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks, Armer.

I'm having a helluva time and no luck at all in finding "Donnelly MPG #2" grease.

Can you please mention a "source" for it.

I'll be putting the second coat of paint on the jack parts tomorrow - - - - then I'll be ready to "grease 'er up" and re-assemble it.

Thanks.

BLACKJACK

[BLACKJACK]

Disregard previous request - - - I kept searching and eventually found it.

Donnelly MPG #2 Grease can be purchased from:

T. R. Goldsmith & Son, Inc. www.trgoldsmith.com. I ordered a one pound jar for $19.64

Thanks for the recommendation. The specs on this stuff are fantastic; perfect for what we're doing.

Y'all have a really great day.

BLACKJACK

[Armrer]

Hey Blackjack,

You beat me to it, glad you found the grease. It's actually used in plastic injection molding presses (high heat and pressure). Great stuff.

Best-

Jeff

[Armrer]

Forgot to mention, just LIGHTLY coat all threads, teeth and bearings with the #2, no need to get heavy handed with it, the PTFE goes a long way-

[BLACKJACK]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm one of those old dinosaurs that believes "if a pint is good - - a quart must be better".

Having been cautioned, I will endeavor to restrain my self.

Jack

[BLACKJACK]

Okay - - - -

I made the decision to "Spruce Up" the tool kit rather than have some pieces looking near new and others looking near junk.

One of the projects is to paint the Grease Gun. I have collected several spray cans of "Hammer Tone" paint that I THOUGHT was the right stuff only to bring it home and once again utter the words of my dear old Grandmother, "AHH SH!T".

Can anyone please tell me the right color (and source) for the light blue/green hammer tone paint ???

Thanks very much.

BLACKJACK

[LMH]

Most of the grease guns I've seen in leaf spring cars are a light silver-blue metallic. No hammer type finish. I'm not sure if all Cobra's or Cobra 427's had the same color, so I'll defer that to some other input. I've seen a couple Cobra 427's using a light green-gold metallic color but I don't know if that's original or not.
As for where to find the right color, maybe search Rust Oleum paints for the color. It's very durable and works well for small stuff like this.
Larry

[BLACKJACK]

OKAY - - -

I believe I have the Paint Thing sorted out.

A friend, who was working for Koons Ford in Fall Church, VA in the mid-sixties, had come by a complete (?) "accessory set" which 'somehow' did not reach the customer who purchased the new 1965 427 Cobra. The "accessory set" allegedly included "a bunch of hand tools wrapped in a black (or dark blue) vinyl case (?), a 'cheap' little jack, a tonneau cover, two small "manuals"and a grease "plunger".

The subject of this hair pulling encounter eventually informed me that he had sold, lost or given away most of the 'stuff'. He still has the black (or blue) vinyl case because he had wrapped some Old Coins in it and buried them. (Honest, Guys, you can't make this sh!t up). The only thing he still has available is the grease "plunger" because it works really well on some old Tractors that he is restoring.

(Long story - somewhat - shorter). I drove out to his farm at Hamilton, VA and compared his grease "plunger" with my grease gun. I wiped his down with some kerosene and the paint is IDENTICAL to mine; a sort-of light blue/green hammer tone finish.

I took my grease gun today to Home Depot and explained to the guy at the paint dept. exactly what I was doing. "Oh, man - great - real cool - I can't wait to tell my girlfriend - she's a real Car Nut". An hour and twenty minutes later I walked out with the Perfect Match Paint. I had to promise to bring the tool kit by when its finished. I will do that along with a bottle of good single malt.

I have to say - - I was Very Happy with the mixed paint color results we were getting after a half hour. Terry - the paint guy was NOT. Ergo, the extra fifty minutes.

The Formula for this mixture is:

One Quart can of Rust-Oleum "Hammer" in silver color. The "Letters" below are the color codes of the added ingredients. The "Numbers" are the number of color Units. One "unit" equals .384 of an ounce.

CL - 29, EL - 120, IL - 38, KXL - 250, DL - 120.


Terry was nice enough to write down his formula. He said that the paint could be "sprayed on" but that it should come out just fine using a "Good Quality, Professional grade brush.

I hope this helps.

Y'all have a really great day.

BLACKJACK

[my427cobra]

Great info Blackjack. I'll take the formula to Home Depot and see what comes of it.

Larry: your pic above of the disassembled jack: are you missing the circle clip that goes onto/into the groove on the bottom of the screw shaft?

Cheers
Greg

[LMH]

Yes. I should have noted it but the little clip that goes at the bottom of the large threaded shaft is missing. It keep the shaft from turning when the handle is turned to raise the top.
Larry

[my427cobra]

Larry: is the clip just missing from the pic or do you need one?

Cheers
Greg

[LMH]

Hey Greg
I got the jack for Armrer and the clip was missing. I can check with him and see if he needs one or if he found one. Do you have an extra?
Larry

[my427cobra]

Larry: I do have one but looking at your pic. the groove looks narrower and the shaft a larger dia.

The clip I have is 5/32" (4mm) wide and has an ID (in it's natural un-expanded state) of 1 1/16" (27mm).

Cheers
Greg