My New Cobra's Heart Beat, And Mine

[FUNFER2]

Ok, I'm very excited. I picked up the engine at Fastenal. They were great and only cost $205 bucks !

With others I got quote's from for 500lbs, they ranged from $300 to $500.

I also received my new Tremec TKO 600. Chad my friend that own's the mechanic shop and performance side with not one, but two chassis dyno's is really helping me out. I love him like a brother, if not more. He helps me out a lot and understands my health issue's. Chad will be helping with the build.

I've felt pretty well the last few days, so I've been very busy cleaning out the garage after 10 years of crap around the Cobra, so I rolled her into the street and started shoveling out and moving everything out onto the driveway and yard. It's amazing how much crap
accumlated ! There was so much dust etc that I fired up my gas yard blower vac, and blew it all outside. It was funny how much was clowding the neighbors ! lol....

It got to 60 degrees today, with the cold setting in for winter so I took advantage by washing the car with dust and grime after 10 years in my garage. After raising it in the air with my MaxJax car lift, the tires were down to 20lbs, but there's not dry cracking or flat spots. Great news !

Now onto the rebuilding.

I backed my truck into the garage to unload the Dove engine using the chain hoist that I mounted on the ceiling joist's back in 2000. Works great. I found 3 bolts to mount the engine on the motor stand, but after searching the garage I could not find just 1 more, so had to drive 20 miles into town to buy one,..... $1.25 frickin bolt !

Once I removed the Saran type rap, I was shocked that Mr. Dove and crew did not,....cover the exhaust ports, with anything ! I realize that the wrap went all the way around the engine, but still ? (I hope they forgot,... rather than didn't care)

So, should I be concerend enough to take the motor apart ?

[1795]

Kevin,

I cannot offer a professional opinion concerning the engine and whether you need to tear it down or not. Was the wrap tight and do you see any evidence of anything in the exhaust ports?

Regarding the tires, there has been much discussion here about how long a tire is safe irrespective of the amount of tread on it, and ten years is way too long. A tire could blow out at any time due to degradation of the rubber. Being that this project may take a little time to get fully sorted out and completed, I would not run out immediately and buy a new set of tires. However, before the car hits the road you should invest in a new set of tires.

Good luck.

Jim

[Ron61]

Kevin,

That is great and like 1795 said, check everything on the engine while it is out as that makes it much easier to check. It looks as if they did cover the intake ports but I would look in them to be sure that they look clean. The exhaust ports could have just been missed but better to check them. If you had a bore scope that you could use it would be great to check inside the cylinders too. That is a good looking engine. Depending on how low it sets in the engine bay you may want to consider a remote oil filter mounting.



Another photo site that I use and is very easy is Postimage.org.

Ron

[FUNFER2]

It may not matter. The intake will be coming off and replaced with the EFI manifold, and if I to step up to a mechanical roller cam, and of course the heads will come off.

So, all will be well, unless a Cobra snake is in there. (Chad is scared of snakes)

With changing to EFI, the exterior mounted FAST pump that came wih the system is in geat shape, but some I've seen are very noisy.
If I can hear this pump while driving, it'll piss me off.

After 10 years, I may remove the fuel tank to clean it out, should I think about ditching the pump and fab up a drop in the tank pump ?
They run cooler as well, the budget is running low, but I'd rather replace it now, not later when the car is running.

How much would changing over cost ?

[moore_rb]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Once I removed the Saran type rap, I was shocked that Mr. Dove and crew did not,....cover the exhaust ports, with anything ! I realize that the wrap went all the way around the engine, but still ? (I hope they forgot,... rather than didn't care)

So, should I be concerend enough to take the motor apart ?

No.... Leave it alone. There's nothing that can go wrong with uncovered exhaust ports.

If a rat had taken up residence in one of them, you would have seen him...

[FUNFER2]

That's our cat's job !

[FUNFER2]

Ok, a update.

The injection manifold is polished, I'll either sand & polish the Dove water pump and timing cover or sell them for all ready polished pieces.
Back in 2002 I sanded & polished everything but the block, but I did sand it smooth and painted it my body color. With my bad health I don't think I could do all that again.

Question. This time I have Dove aluminum heads, should I sand/polish them ?
The ends would be easy, but the front and back with the horns are a pain to do. A lot of finger work !

I would hate to paint aluminum heads !