building a cobra from basically scratch

[Outwest34au]

Hi mate,
it's coming together well but I have 2 suggestions you can look at.

1) replace the saddle clamps on your fuel lines and wiring with P clamps (plastic coated steel) for looks and safety. Try a hyrdaulic shop, they have a multitude of sizes.
2) I had a severe steering shaft angle also, have a look at the PDF on this thread and see if it gives you any ideas. Steering modification

Have a xmas beer for me,
cheers

[thefordguy]

if I had another u joint I could go around the pump I just need to figure out where to mount the hiem joint.

[Outwest34au]

Originally Posted by thefordguy

if I had another u joint I could go around the pump I just need to figure out where to mount the hiem joint.

I cut a piece of 8mm wall thickness square steel to 50 mm long, then sliced it diagonally to have a tapered bridge. This sits on my siderail and welded on. To prevent the heim joint flexing on the mount I drilled out a large nut and welded it to the bridge mount, insert heim thru it with nut top and bottom. If you find the thin 'jam' nuts hard to source try your local Caterpillar spare parts place. Easier than cutting nuts in half.

[thefordguy]

I've put off the steering for now. I haven't had much time to work on it recently, I've had to put some time in on some of the other cars in the shop. I got the doors hung and the carpet installed and most of the wiring ran.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by thefordguy

the problem with the steering angle is that the power steering pump is right in the way. The steering is just mocked up right now, nothing is set in stone. My original plan was to add another u joint and a heim joint. I have them already, but I haven't figured out where to mount the heim joint which is why I tried it without. where did you mount yours, I can't really tell in the pic? I noticed your alternator is on the opposite side as mine and it's a GM style , what brackets did you use for mounting it on the drivers side?

I made my own bracket because I did not like that there just was not enough adjustment on the passenger side. It is a GM 1 wire alternator.

[thefordguy]

where did you get those billet pulleys they look really nice.

[tcrist]

They came with the engine. I don't know where CR got them. They are nothing fancy. You probably get them at Summit, Jegs or the like.

[Outwest34au]

I had a lot of trouble deciding on my steering layout so got a couple of mates to drop by and throw suggestions in. Out of them all a simple plan evolved.

Carpet looks great mate. Is it garden variety stuff or pre moulded to suit that body shell?

If your boss wont spring for shiny pulleys just glue aluminum foil to the standard ones.

[thefordguy]

Originally Posted by Outwest34au

I had a lot of trouble deciding on my steering layout so got a couple of mates to drop by and throw suggestions in. Out of them all a simple plan evolved.

Carpet looks great mate. Is it garden variety stuff or pre moulded to suit that body shell?

If your boss wont spring for shiny pulleys just glue aluminum foil to the standard ones.

He just got a roll of carpet, I cut it to fit.

funny thing is I could actually see him trying to glue aluminum foil to something to make it look shiny.

[rustyBob]

now thats just WRONG......
aluminum foil covered pullies.....
i think i hear a banjo in the background....lol...

[thefordguy]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

now thats just WRONG......
aluminum foil covered pullies.....
i think i hear a banjo in the background....lol...

when I first started working there my boss was finishing up a 67 fastback mustang elenore clone and the inside of the rear 1/4's in front of the bumper were rusted through and he was filling them with bondo!! I told him that I could just weld a flat piece of sheet metal in there, and people are going to see that bondo and not want to buy the car, he said it was a good idea. I came in the next day and he was gluing a piece of sheet metal over his bondo!! He also filled the dents in the frame rail with bondo. And he's trying to sell that car for $75,000!! Nothing that man could think to do would surprise me anymore. he's clueless.

[tcrist]

Not my place and I know the econamy sucks but I could not work for that guy. His reputation for corner cutting can and will float right back to you. Not right but it could happen.

[BBQCYCLEWERKES]

Originally Posted by tcrist

Not my place and I know the econamy sucks but I could not work for that guy. His reputation for corner cutting can and will float right back to you. Not right but it could happen.

I agree. It is people like that that give the whole automobile repair/restoration business a sour taste in the publics mouth. I was always taught "If you can't do it right, then don't do it at all." I'm not saying you're doing that, but the work quality will trickle down to you. I've seen too many cases where the shop owner placed some of the blame of faulty quality on the tech so not to completely ruin his reputation. Just my 2 cents though. Good luck and keep up the good work as best your boss will allow you to.

[rustyBob]

I'm with BBQ2 on this one.....
keep us posted on your progress.....

[thefordguy]

If he asks me to do something that I don't agree with I tell him I am not doing it that way and if he wants it done that way he is going to have to do it himself. I am currently looking for another job that pays as well as this one, until then I am not leaving. but when I do leave all of the pictures I've taken of his shotty work are going on the internet.

[thefordguy]

hes a millionaire but he nickle and dimes everything and everybody. I don't understand how someone can be so money hungry, it's like thats all he cares about.

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by thefordguy

If he asks me to do something that I don't agree with I tell him I am not doing it that way and if he wants it done that way he is going to have to do it himself. I am currently looking for another job that pays as well as this one, until then I am not leaving. but when I do leave all of the pictures I've taken of his shotty work are going on the internet.

I would not post the pictures. You would be setting yourself up for a lawsuit.

[slider701]

I'm sorry if this offends the OP but watching the build of this car scares the hell out of me when I think of buying a car that you either haven't witnessed the build personally or it isn't from someone that you absolutely trust, like the Kirkhams.

[tcrist]

No different then buying any home built kit car.

Actually it might be a bit different. This guy has been building/working on cars for a long time. As he states, If it does not look proper he either tells is boss that it has to be proper and/or he asks us here on CC for our input.

The main thing when buying any car is to inspect it from top to bottom, right to left and up & down. Not just kit cars, but any car. If you cant do it then hire someone you trust that can.

How many new Ford, GM, Mopar and other manufactures have cars that come off the lot with things loose, extra parts that should not be there, ect. You might just be suprised.

[rustyBob]

I think i would trust TFG to work on my cars.....he sounds like he cares...
he just dosent care for the guy he works for.....been there done that...