CSX 4145, finally getting sorted out

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by SFSDFGT

Hello all,

I bought a CSX 4000 series car a couple of years ago. Some may recall this thread: Ebay Alumin CSX 4000 series on Ebay

Well, I LOVE to drive the car, but I've had various gremlins pop up, from a fan relay burning up, to rocker arm shaft bolts breaking, to the spitting rear differential issue. I've thoroughly enjoyed fixing these (and many other) issues myself, but lately the car has been running terrible. Coughing, sputtering, backfiring, won't idle. I finally had a chance to spend some time with it yesterday, and tore into the carb, and found it was plugged up in multiple areas, with what I assume is debris from a crumbling fuel cell bladder. Reassembled things, fired it up- BEAUTIFUL. Clean idle, test ride went perfectly for about 3 miles, and then same symptoms as before started to return, as more crap already found its way to the carb. So then I start looking around for the fuel filter... NO FUEL FILTER anywhere, as far as I can tell.

So anyway, I have a message in to Mickmate about either converting my fuel cell into a fuel tank, vs just replacing it with an aluminum tank he stocks.

But, and here is where you all come in, I figure that now is also the time to address some "issues" with the cobra that were mentioned in my introductory thread. I am going to have my trusted restoration shop handle all of these things, but they aren't cobra experts. I know that my fuel lines shouldn't be the fancy braided lines with anodized -AN fittings. Same for the oil cooler lines in the front. My engine seems to do just fine with just a breather and no puke tank, so since that is how mine was built apparently, I am going to leave that. However, mine also only has the front two pusher fans, which aren't really adequate, so I would like to add a puller fan. And I will FINALLY replace my crappy BFG tires with billboard Goodyears.

All of the other cosmetic stuff has been addressed. I had the strange-looking meatballs/numbers removed, and the paint, interior, and engine all cleaned up beautifully with a thorough detailing.

Any other thoughts as to glaring issues to address? I know some of you had mentioned in that thread that I should have quick-jacks, but for some reason it really doesn't bother me that I just have the over-rider bumperettes, and they sure have come in handy several times for pushing the car around when it is incapacitated.

Thank you in advance for any time/thought given to this.

Regardless of what "finish" you get for your fuel lines, make sure that whatever is being used is "modern fuel blend" safe. Some of the older lines have a tendency to deteriorate from the inside out, and actually allow vapors to escape causing a fuel smell in your garage overnight.

Puller fan wise, make sure you find something with a shroud, which will allow for a more efficient cooling/air flow through the radiator.

Fuel tank wise, I agree with Nick, replace it with one of his custom fit fuel tanks and be done with it.

Tire wise, if you drive the car on a regular basis, I'm still not a fan of the billboard, sure they look cool, and stick well, but are really not meant as a street tire. Instead, spend the money up front on a set of Avon's and again, be done with it.

Take each step one at a time, forget what is popular, and find what works best for your car and your driving situation.

Most of all, enjoy the ride.

Bill S.