Excalibur Owners: Please Reply! - Page 7

B. SMITH · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2003, 02:36 PM

ERNIE, YOU ARE THE MAN.
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN.
NOW WE CAN START HEARING A THAT GOOD EXCAL COBRA STUFF FROM YOU AGAIN.
GREAT NEWS,,,, B. SMITH

DavidFagan · #2 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 05:37 PM

VIN: 123137

Sounds just like 141 listed.

Yellow with black strips with chips in all the normal places now. Below that back wheel shield takes a beating.

I have one of those Red alarm keys as well as the two grey ones, never knew what it was before.

Only problem, leaky and now cracked header and I modified the steering column it was to sloppy.

This site rocks, thanks to the people responsible.

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 07:24 PM

,,doggone headers crack a lot,,

I pulled the catalytic converters on mine and brought a single pipe down to the side pipe flange (on both sides of course). Anybody know of REAL hearders that will bolt in? The Factory "shorties" are WAY to restrictive and even with the cats gone they STILL crack!

Ernie

ohekk · #4 (**permalink**) 04-29-2003, 07:37 PM

You are right...this place rocks!

A great way to say thanks is through the annual fund drive that Turk graciously co-ordinates!

I can't tell you how much I've spent on magazine subscriptions and newsstand purchases...whereas this place offers so much more. My contribution to Brent is my way of saying thanks!

Dave...I enjoyed our brief phone conversation...sounds like you got a great deal on your Excalibur!

Stay tuned!

Lets get all the local Excaliburs together some day! there's about 10 that I know of right here in SE Wisconsin.

oh...and if you run into the guy with the white one ..have him sign in here

Tom

Aloys · #5 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 09:28 AM

..can`t hear the word anymore. Full of holes, had them welded last year, now they`re starting to blow again.
Bought a set of Street Rod Headers (M 9430 T 302 CT Ford Racing) for mucho dolares, they fit beautyful but they are to long, no space for the rest of the exhaust stuff. Going to try again this winter with flexible connections.

Aloys · #6 (**permalink**) 04-30-2003, 09:34 AM

..can`t hear the word anymore. Full of holes, had them welded last year, now they`re starting to blow again.
Bought a set of Street Rod Headers (M 9430 T 302 CT Ford Racing) for mucho dolares, they fit beautyful but they are to long, no space for the rest of the exhaust stuff. Going to try again this winter with flexible connections.

SCOTTSCOBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 05-06-2003, 04:36 PM

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE LOOKIN FOR ? ?

Excaliber · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2003, 12:32 AM

Myself I'm looking for a set of REAL headers!!! Not those "phony" ones that come stock with the Excals. TO short, anything but smooth inside, crack all the time. They are the worst thing about the Excals.

My "cats" are gone, all smog stuff removed.

I'm thinking I'll have to have some custom built. I "heard" that Classic Roadster headers won't fit. Anybody got any ideas?

Ernie

Aloys · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2003, 01:01 AM

Scottscobra/Excaliber:
I put a picture of my new headers in my gallerie. They are block-hugger-headers, motor-connections are all ok but they reach down to far, collide with chassis. So this winter I´ll try to use flexible exhaust-connections (used in trucks to minimize vibrations) and connect the headers via them with my sidepipes.
Excaliber, there should be no problems for you using them, you ripped the cat-system out anyway, there should be plenty of room for almost any system.

MilwDoug · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 09:19 PM

Well I just had my exhaust put back together again. All the brackets that tie the 2 sides together were broken at the welds which just pulled out of the pipes leaving holes behind. The car sounded better but the fumes were terrible if the top was on. Plus everything rattled a lot. Also one gasket was blown between the header and the splitter.

I left all the cross brackets off but one. Seems to be working fine and all the rattles are gone.

Also, I noticed a lot of noise and rattles coming from the trunk area. If you tap on the bottom of the trunk, at least on mine it hits the gas tank which is only about 1/4" below.

With every bump I think it was hitting and really resonating in the trunk. I pulled up the carpet, drilled a few holes and filled that whole area up with Great Stuff from Dow which is an expanding waterproof foam in a spray can. It sets up soft and has really helped. The car has no more noise coming from the trunk area at all and is just a pleasure to drive.

Spring is here and the Cobra is running great. Life is good. At least for another 4 or 5 months till the Wisconsin winter starts coming back.

You got any jobs out there Ernie?

Excaliber · #11 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 01:08 AM

Ha ha,,,jobs are hard to come by here!!!

I'm working with DScott (Don) on ordering a complete set of headers and side pipes for the Excal from a Classic Roadster. You have to get BOTH for them to work, $700 or so for the whole package.

The car is running great! Cranebldr (Allen) is here in Hawaii on buisiness. We just got back from a beautiful drive along the coast. The current sidepipes are burned out "just right", they DO sound good (leak like hell)!

Ernie

DavidFagan · #12 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 08:38 PM

I can't say for sure and I haven't been a gear head for many years now so I'm very open to those with more experience. It appears to me that the headers (at least mine) didn't crack due to lack of support and weight on the flange but in inflexibility of connection and the movement of the engine. They sell some ball a socket flanges weld on's but it's unclear if that's really to allow flexibility (of movement) but possibly really only to allow flexability for arrangement. I know they make (or made) of flex exhaust but it was well unpleasent but I ran into this which looks real interesting. It looks like braided hose but it's for exhaust. Anybody ever seen this stuff???

www.mmohindia.com/automotive.htm

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 05-15-2003, 09:00 PM

Sure, and they work IF don't have to support any weight. Pretty common product in various forms, lots of "import" cars use them to isolate vibration from engine to body.

Engine torque and vibration coupled with the short nature of the stock Excal exhaust is what causes the cracks. Support the sidepipes AND isolate from hearders with flex connection and that should solve the problem.

As to "performance", the stock Excal headers and cats should be removed. A real problem with emmisions check areas.

Ernie

Edit: In response to B. Smith below.
I did in fact notice the biggest H.P. gain by "blowing out" the baffles in the side pipes. The car is really LOUD now, but I'm getting used to it,,,,,SAY WHAT????

B. SMITH · #14 (**permalink**) 05-16-2003, 08:51 AM

ERNIE,
I HAVE THE STOCK, WELDED TUBE TYPE HEADERS OF RATHER POOR QUALITY. THEY STILL HAVE SUFFICIENT FLOW FOR STOCK HEADS UP TO 6000 RPM.
I STILL HAVE THE CATS BUT NOW THAT I HAVE REMOVED THE REDICULOUS FACTORY IN-PIPE MUFFLERS (RESTRICTORS) THE PERFORMANCE IMPROVED SO MUCH THAT I AM LEAVING THE CATS IN PLACE.
THE SOUND IS HEAVY BUT IS CALM ENOUGH AT LIGHT THROTTLE FOR NOISE SENSITIVE SITUATIONS.
I HOPE THAT CR PLUMBING WORKS. THAT IS A GREAT REPLACEMENT OPTION FOR EXCAL OWNERS TO HAVE. LET US KNOW.
B. SMITH

BLACKJACK · #15 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 12:03 PM

ERNIE, ET AL,

I HAD THE DELIGHTFUL OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE NEW EXCALIBUR MANUFACTURES AT THE CARLISLE, PA SHOW THIS WEEKEND.

BILL BEGALLA AND NICK PETRELLA AND THEIR ASSOCIATES ARE A REALLY NICE BUNCH OF FOLKS. THEIR FACILITY IS IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - - PHONE 330-629-7933.

THEY WERE ABLE TO "SEPARATE OUT" THE COBRA PORTION FROM THE REST OF THE COMPANYS REMAINING OPERATIONS.

THE ONLY CHANGES THAT I COULD SEE - AND THEY CONFIRMED AS MUCH - WERE THE ADDITION OF A THUNDERBIRD I.R.S. (VERY NICE INSTALLATION) AND ELECTRIC DOOR LATCHES - VERY CONVENIENT. ALL OF THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE THE EXCALS SO SPECIAL ARE STILL THERE.

THE CARS WILL BE SOLD AS A FINISHED "ROLLING CHASSIS" AND IF THE BUYER SO CHOOSES - - HE CAN ROLL IT RIGHT ACCROSS THE STREET AND HAVE THE ENGINE OF CHOICE INSTALLED.

THE BEST NEWS FOR US IS THAT PARTS FOR OUR CARS WILL BE AVAILABLE AGAIN.

AS STATED - - THEY SEEM TO BE GREAT GUYS AND I WISH THEM THE VERY BEST OF LUCK WITH "THE NEW EXCALIBUR".

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

B. SMITH · #16 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 12:31 PM

THAT IS SOME GREAT NEWS.
B. SMITH

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 05-19-2003, 03:02 PM

Oh yeah!!!! That IS some great news!!!

Ernie

Gumball61 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 07:51 PM

Hi....My name is Mark and I recently purchased an Excaliber 66 Cobra replica....the last 3 numbers on my vin is 101....I was wondering if you could help me....the car came with no owners manual or electrical schematic...my mechanic is having trouble figuring out the wiring as well as the type of brakes on the car...please let me know if there is anyway you can point me in the right direction....thanks

Excaliber · #19 (**permalink**) 07-02-2003, 10:20 PM

Rear brakes are probably stock Ford units. BUT what year, model, etc. remains a mystery!

Front brakes are probably 79 Granada disc. When my calipers went out I was surprised to find that Wilwood had an EXACT match and bolt in replacement. I got the calipers and pads from them. There is a "template" on their website that shows how to "measure" your calipers to match them up.

The wiring under the hood appears to be "standard" issue Mustang style EFI kind of stuff. Inside the car the wiring is pretty straight forward. Don't count on EVER getting a wiring diagram, but it REALLY shouldn't be "that" necessary as it is "generic" as heck!

Owners manual is pretty much worthless.

Your best bet on these issues? Start at the BEGINNING of this thread and TAKE NOTES while you READ every post. Theres a LOT of good stuff in here!

Ernie

ohekk · #20 (**permalink**) 07-03-2003, 01:30 PM

...and congratulations on your Excalibur! You are one lucky man!
(My wife tells me that everyday!)

So Mark...where abouts do you live?

My research indicates that #101 is Giallo Fly Yellow with black stripe and black interior. That is an excellent color combination(Same as mine!

)

Follow Ernie's advice: Read this thread and we will help where we can. As for the owners manual, he's right! there isn't much in it. The wire harness is pretty much standard issue. Keep in mind that the drivetrain was warranteed by Ford and can be serviced by most Ford dealerships.

Keep in touch!

Tom