What bearings to use with cobra racing uprights

[MAStuart]

I have some of the bits and pieces from cobra racing but not all of them. I have not been able to contact cobra racing (Tom Georges son). I have the uprights for a leaf spring car. I do not have the hubs or bearings. Does anyone have bearing number to use with these uprights both front and rear?

I have drawings of original hubs and stub axel I am trying to find out if the cobra racings uprights are compatible with original parts.

The front stub axel from cobra racing is about 1 1/4 inch longer than what the drawings show. Also the outer bearing inner race dia is larger. Drawing shows .750 in vs .866 or 22 mm.

I am thinking about getting some forgings made for the front and rear hubs and machining them myself.

I am hoping someone has the hubs from cobra racing and give me some bearing numbers and some ruff dimensions of the hubs.

Mark

[Cobra #3170]

I would call Tom Kirkham some bearings are no longer available for rear uprights but he has
alternatives.

[LMH]

Mark, you might try contacting Mike McCluskey. He and George had a lot of interaction together and I bet he would know.
Larry

[MAStuart]

Hi guys thought I would let this set for a couple days to see if I could get some useful info. I would rather not have to ask other vendors and manufactures about parts from someone else.

I would have thought someone else would be using cobra racing parts. If no one had interest in parts maybe that is why Tom has decided to walk away for the business. If you know otherwise please speak up.

I still need the info I requested. Is there someone supplying builders with original style suspension parts? I am talking leaf sprung cars.

Mark

[LMH]

Gerry Hawkridge is making original style stuff I'm told but I haven't actually asked. I was told that was also casting brake rotors. Cobra Restorers has rear upright hub carriers on their site.
I wonder if Kirkham is still casting original style suspension parts? Do they still have that as an option?
Larry

[Three Peaks]

You may need to cross reference the parts to find drawings of bearings to fit the original style uprights. If you can find one of the early Cobra manuals, they have almost all of the original part numbers in them. You could then cross reference the part numbers. Most of the original parts were 63 Jag XKE parts and pieces, but some were other makes. If you have the dimensions of the parts you may be able to get some help from some of the other suppliers available. Most of them are pretty helpful, especially if they can make a sale out of helping out.

Also, I've found that once you have a part number or bearing number or source, Rock Auto has the best inventory of older bearings and other parts and their prices can't be beat. I found all the bearings for my Kirkham differential pinion shafts and the Jag stub axles there in no time.

Bob

[Cobra #3170]

I just rebuilt my original rear uprights for the 3rd time in 51 years because of a stub shaft failure. One of the large bearings was not made anymore. I believe it was the inner but might be the outer, NOS replacements were $500 each and not many around. I chose to use bearings that were new in 1997 because they still looked good. Not aware of many XKE parts on original cars but maybe some bearings are. Front bearings are still available but the grease seal is a little tough, Mike M. has seals and D washers for the front spindle and can get bearings.

[LMH]

Mark, have you read this thread David Kirkham did a few years ago: Original 427 Street Cobra Suspension Rebuild
It's on rebuilding a 427 suspension but it has a lot of info worth considering that applies to small block cars as well. Pretty good reading!
Larry

[krausewich]

Hi Mark,
May be able to help you out with OE part numbers if that helps you along your way... Send me your email address, and I will send some screenshots of OE performance parts lists for the 289/427, some may overlap.

Mike.