tko 600 slipping

mavgarb302 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

After two HTOB fiascos, I threw in the towel and got a regular master/slave setup. They are very sensitive to misalignment.

I may at some point idk once I can enjoy it. ATM I feel I got a lemon. I just know I am becoming very sensitive to a $100,000 car having paint blemishes and acting like a “not rod” because of the clutch. Two big issues and going on a month with zero answers. I hate to be negative bc but after all my ownership of more specialized vehicles this sure feels like wrong to have to come out of pocket for labor and possibly have to have it disassembled (which never goes back the same) to get the expectation i had the day i bought it with a 110,000 dollar cashiers check.

twobjshelbys · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavgarb302

I may at some point idk once I can enjoy it. ATM I feel I got a lemon. I just know I am becoming very sensitive to a $100,000 car having paint blemishes and acting like a “not rod” because of the clutch. Two big issues and going on a month with zero answers. I hate to be negative bc but after all my ownership of more specialized vehicles this sure feels like wrong to have to come out of pocket for labor and possibly have to have it disassembled (which never goes back the same) to get the expectation i had the day i bought it with a 110,000 dollar cashiers check.

There's two things about Cobras you need to understand. It's best that you understand these BEFORE you write the check.

1. A new Cobra needs a "sorting out" period. They are hand built cars so unlike the Ford from the dealer's lot there are lots of "adjustments" needed. The power train is especially so. No two will be the same and they will require some adjustment.

It is unfortunate that the HTOB requires attention. Mine did, twice, so I went to a system that if it does need attention is a lot easier to service.

2. A sorted out Cobra will still require tinkering. Always and forever. Cobras are a tinkerer's dream (or nightmare). If you want a car that you park in the garage, get in on Saturday morning, return to the garage Saturday afternoon and can ignore until next Saturday, you need to get a Corvette. With a Cobra, Saturday is for driving, Sunday is for tinkering.

Be patient, work through the rough spots and the car will reward you.

mavgarb302 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

There's two things about Cobras you need to understand. It's best that you understand these BEFORE you write the check.

1. A new Cobra needs a "sorting out" period. They are hand built cars so unlike the Ford from the dealer's lot there are lots of "adjustments" needed. The power train is especially so. No two will be the same and they will require some adjustment.

It is unfortunate that the HTOB requires attention. Mine did, twice, so I went to a system that if it does need attention is a lot easier to service.

2. A sorted out Cobra will still require tinkering. Always and forever. Cobras are a tinkerer's dream (or nightmare). If you want a car that you park in the garage, get in on Saturday morning, return to the garage Saturday afternoon and can ignore until next Saturday, you need to get a Corvette. With a Cobra, Saturday is for driving, Sunday is for tinkering.

Be patient, work through the rough spots and the car will reward you.

Yeah I get it, I actually expected it to a degree knowing how their built and what they are. I was expecting misalignment, trunk and hood needing adjusting, a rivet missing here etc but paint and a slipping clutch. I guess it could be worse. I let my frustrations get to me earlier.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavgarb302

ATM I feel I got a lemon. I just know I am becoming very sensitive to a $100,000 car having paint blemishes and acting like a “not rod” because of the clutch.

You haven't got a lemon. Really. You haven't. Cobras are just a completely different breed of cat. When I had my ERA built for me going on 17 years ago I had what I consider, and still consider, the finest hands in the world build my car and my engine (an FE, of course). That said, I still have had what some people would describe as "constant maintenance issues" up until this very day. Now, I've only had to perform emergency on-the-road repairs twice in order to get home, and I've only had to be towed home once. I've never had the car in a shop ever. These cars are really easy to fix. They are very much like the POS cars we all had in high school. Of course 50 years ago I would use coat hangar wire on the u-joints when I couldn't find a bolt -- I know better now.

The point is that these cars must be viewed as joys to work on. And, you need to start learning how to do that. I can already tell from your posts that you are quite capable of learning how to do any of these repairs. You might need a couple of extra hands helping you, but wives and kids can suffice... usually. If you don't take that approach, you will be missing a good part of the Cobra experience.

mavgarb302 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

You haven't got a lemon. Really. You haven't. Cobras are just a completely different breed of cat. When I had my ERA built for me going on 17 years ago I had what I consider, and still consider, the finest hands in the world build my car and my engine (an FE, of course). That said, I still have had what some people would describe as "constant maintenance issues" up until this very day. Now, I've only had to perform emergency on-the-road repairs twice in order to get home, and I've only had to be towed home once. I've never had the car in a shop ever. These cars are really easy to fix. They are very much like the POS cars we all had in high school. Of course 50 years ago I would use coat hangar wire on the u-joints when I couldn't find a bolt -- I know better now.

The point is that these cars must be viewed as joys to work on. And, you need to start learning how to do that. I can already tell from your posts that you are quite capable of learning how to do any of these repairs. You might need a couple of extra hands helping you, but wives and kids can suffice... usually. If you don't take that approach, you will be missing a good part of the Cobra experience.

I've build my jet boat motors (never touching the AMC 401 again..lol) and tuned my own VMAX etc etc, always been a do it yourselfer. Issue is under warranty I cannot touch this for a year and HAVE to pay for it to be repaired etc or let it sit. Having the clutch slipping fairly early coming onto load just makes me wanna park it. Yeah I'll work through this whole thing, I just find coming out of pocket on something brand new on something pretty dang important (paint/clutch) a hugely unfair hit to my wallet.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 01:18 PM

If it were me, and I delivered a car to you that broke down like that, I would pull it apart and see what was wrong. I would then explain it to you, and if I was in any way at fault I would eat the cost. At a minimum I would split the labor cost even if I wasn't. That's old school customer service and you don't see it too much anymore, but it's still out there.

mavgarb302 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2022, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

If it were me, and I delivered a car to you that broke down like that, I would pull it apart and see what was wrong. I would then explain it to you, and if I was in any way at fault I would eat the cost. At a minimum I would split the labor cost even if I wasn't. That's old school customer service and you don't see it too much anymore, but it's still out there.

Thats the way I operate in my industry in bidding jobs. If I forgot something (which is rare) I eat it and still pay contractors bc it is the right things to do for my name and principle. Kinda a quality control thing, otherwise contractors wouldnt trust me.