Club Cobra - Back on the Road

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Back on the Road - Almost..

I finally found some time to investigate the knocking noise that developed in the Cobra during the last session of the track day I was at almost exactly 1 year ago at Little Taladega. My 12 year old son was bugging me to fix it, so with his help this past week we found that it was a bent exhaust valve caused by oil starvation during exhuberent cornering. I have a Canton road race pan but hadn't gotten around to installing the Accusump. Seems the exhaust valve heated the bronze guide and galled the valve stem until the valve would not return, then it got smacked by the piston. Piston looked OK, so new valve guide & piston. Buttoned it up last night but didn't start it beacause I had to let the RTV gasket for the intake manifold dry. Then had to leave at 5 AM for the airport. Hopefully I can start it Friday night when I get back to town. Can't wait to go "Cobra-ing" again...

Mike,

Glad to hear you found the knock's source.

Have a good trip!

Cheers!
Dave

It runs! Fixed the head and had my 12 year old son help put it all back together. Showed him how to adjust the valves and he did a great job. Now he has the bug to work on the car - can't get anything else done around the house because after I get home form work his 1st words are: "What work can we do on the Cobra now". Picked up an Accusump to help prevent future engine meltdowns at the track.

On the way to the cyl head shop to pick up the head saw a car rear end a nearly stopped semi tractor on the freeway @ about 70-80 MPH. Semi had missed exit so stopped then tried to hand a right across 2 lanes to make the exit. Had to yank passenger door off, turn off car. Lady wasn't wearing seat belt - not very pretty. She was still alive when the medics got there. Was hoping she kept breathing and car didn't start on fire until they got there 'cause I really didn't want to drag he out of the car. The bulge in the shape of her head in the windshied should be enough to convince anyone to waer a seatbelt. Couldn't get myself to drive over about 50 MPH all the way home. I was also amazed that not on other person stopepd to help. Damn truck driver didn't even check on the driver. POS just sat there, the tried lyng to the police and tried to blame it on the lady in the car.

Ouch!!!! I've been so conditioned by my wife to wear a seat belt that when I get on the harley I instinctively look for a belt..... then "oh dummy your on a bike"