Car just completed...What things should go wrong in the first few trips?

[Bill Bess]

Make a Check List

Pre run inspection.
Pre trip inspection while engine was running.
Safety list checked off.
Short drive test. (recheck things).
Long driving test.
Give her hell test.
Fun drive for long 2 hours.
Recheck everything.
Done.

This will help you stay calm and not forget anything.
Good luck, Bill

[James Stern]

Sod's Law: " The thing that you did not prepare for will be the thing that stops you."

[lamaluv]

Find some other local Cobra owners to cruise with as you start taking longer trips. You will find a lot of "been there, done that" they will be able to help with. If you aren't already a member, join the Deep South Cobra Club. Lastly be aware that even after many miles you car can still leave you stranded. After you get things sorted out most of your trouble will become inconvenience rather than safety issues. Also you will find that there is no cure for the big grin you will always have on your face

Dick

[Buzz]

You can always expect a few issues to rear their heads in the first few shakedown miles and it sounds like you had quite an adventure! Like others have advised, pay most attention to the critical issues; in other words the ones that could cause a catastrophic event if they fail. Brakes, steering, suspension (double-check your lug nuts!!), fuel lines, wiring and cooling system.

Turn on everything electrical while the car is idling in the driveway, let it run and see if any switches get hot, fuses blow or wiring starts to smoke. Watch your temp gauge and make sure your cooling system is up to snuff. Is your charging system working? etc etc. Take care of the critical stuff and from there on out have fun tweaking the minor things as you discover them.

One other thing I noticed looking at the pics in your gallery (see below) - your front end appears to be sitting way high. At highway speeds and above, you will gather a lot of air under the front, and depending on how fast you go, it could become an issue. If nothing else, it will look a lot better if you can lower it a bit. Enjoy!!

[jhv48]

After a few hundred miles of my sorting my FFR MK III car out, I paid a professional to put it on a lift and go from the front to the back tightening and checking every nut and bolt on the car. Took him the full day to do the job and cost me about $900, but I wanted another pair of hands and eyes on my car.

And, by the way, he didn't find a thing that needed more than mild tightening. I then drove much more confidently!

[Dirty Harry]

I agree with checking and double-checking every fastener on the car. Check the fluids every time you start it up, too, for a while. The thing that I encountered in my first drive, though, was more related to driver error. When you pull into a parking spot, remember the nose (chin?) of the car won't go over that curb or tire bumper. I had to learn the hard way, not to pull so deeply into the parking spot. I still have the scratches to remind me.

[Buzz]

If you look at the pictures, the nose/chin of this car will clear a low wall, never mind a curb bumper. It definitely needs lowering in the front.

[PatBuckley]

After you have checked "everything" and go on your ride, keep an ear peeled for any loud clunking noise that sounds like a bolt has fallen out and is bouncing off the road into the bottom of your car.......when you get home make sure to replace that bolt.

Put it this way, if you hear the kind of noise I described, don't be delusional and put it off to something that you ran over......

Not saying this has happened to me or anything.....just saying.

[YerDugliness]

Loud "clunking" noises from under the car can be very disconcerting, but they don't always mean loose or missing parts.

If you have a "TractionLoc" differential, and it is low on lubricant, it will "grind" or seem to make "clunking" noises, most often when you are turning a corner. Check the grease level in your differential and fill it up if it's not full already, and don't forget the special "Limited Slip" treatment that is needed.

Cheers from Dugly

[LRRCobradreamer]

Do not use the "go" pedel too much when in first gear unless the wheels are pointed straight ahead!!! It is called "snap spin".

Carry some tools, WD40, duck tape...... is the trunk to small, oh well.

Good luck and enjoy.

Lee

[lnfletcher]

Don't forget along with the cell phone, to have the number of someone that is home and able to help. (Or a good tow company.)

[vector1]

there's a good idea from richard! some use paint marks also.

i carry a tow strap in the floor board long enough to wrap around the roll bar and hook to a tow vehicle or to be used by the flatbed operator. use it also to pull (back) the car into the enclosed trailer with the winch.

[SF_SN888KE]

I'm assuming you have insurance?

[jmimac351]

Fleiss, small world, I live in Apopka as well. Drive it over to my house and we'll put it up on my lift and check it over. If you've been looking at it for 8 years there's a decent chance you could be staring at something and not see it.

I would start by checking all of the stuff that will kill you and then work down the list from there. Spindle nuts, ball joint nuts, end link nuts, steering knuckle set screws, rear axle nuts.... like was mentioned - suspension, steering, brakes.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

Fleiss, small world, I live in Apopka as well. Drive it over to my house and we'll put it up on my lift and check it over. If you've been looking at it for 8 years there's a decent chance you could be staring at something and not see it.

Originally Posted by fleiss75

Drove it yesterday for 51 MILES and it ran great! It felt exactly like I thought it would, the looks, the thumbs up, the power! AWESOME.. Im hooked.

Yes it is a small world! My inlaws live in Governor's Point off of Wekiva Springs Road near the park. You both have my cell number... or did. Give a shout, would love to get together next time I'm in town. Let me know if you need me to resend it. Congrats on getting on the road fleiss. Now all you have to do is keep it rolling!

jmimic, would love to talk 289 cars with you, and have enjoyed reading your build info. Looks like it is coming along... I have some good documentation I can show you for the USRRC car I'm replicating... just got my shift knob sorted out. Give me a call.

[Voyager]

As everyone said, do several short, local trips.

Within the first couple months of ownership, I had issues w/ overheating, plus leaking oil, coolant and brake fluid.

Just give it a thorough inspection after each short ride and fix whatever comes up. Continually go over all the bolts.

Be careful pushing the loud pedal. It will snap around in a heartbeat.

[Donunder]

I like Richard's paint marker tip.
No second guessing and no unnecessary "double handling".
Simple.

My other tip is just to stay cool when the first highway patrolman pulls up beside you at a traffic light.
Your car is not too loud (is it?), it's not rocking from side to side with a top fueller idle (is it?) and that personalised number plate that you agonised over for weeks before deciding on that killer combo is not too ahem, suggestive, for the more conservative members of the law enforcement fraternity (is it?)
Just give the nice man a friendly smile (wetting yourself is not a good look, or feel for that matter) and try to move off without stalling or frying the tyres. Somewhere in between is nice. Relax -- all will be well. Because you know, some highway patrol guys appreciate Cobras too!

[fleiss75]

As soon as the clutch is replaced...UGH $1200 into something I did not expect..The smile is off my face LOL

[IMLost]

Anything and or everything; that's part of the fun.

[fleiss75]

Drove it yesterday for 51 MILES and it ran great! It felt exactly like I thought it would, the looks, the thumbs up, the power! AWESOME.. Im hooked.