new owner

valpodoc · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 05:46 PM

Wahooooo!!!! Got home today and my cobra had arrived from CA. I'm in love, excited.....wahoooo. Ithink I'm having a religious experience. If I had a plate I'd be out now. Tell me guys does this pass or will I be nonfunctional for the rest of the week.

Roland

Bart Carter · #2 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 05:56 PM

You're toast for the rest of the month! Maybe the rest of the year!

Enjoy!

valpodoc · #3 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 06:09 PM

I think I'll sleep in the garage

Roland

Tongue Pirate · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 06:16 PM

I'll believe it when i see the pictures buddy!

valpodoc · #5 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 06:21 PM

As soon as I figure out this new fangled technology I'll post em up
mean while I'll keep smiling

Roland

California · #6 (**permalink**) 08-27-2003, 08:10 PM

Hey Roland, you've got mail!
Nick

Bill Kesner · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 12:39 AM

Roland.....

Congrats on your new Cobra. I see you purchased one of the early CSX4000 cars...nice catch! Drop us a pic when you figure it out. By the way.....the feeling of the new car really never subsides...especially every time you fire it up.

- Bill -

McCobra · #8 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 07:02 AM

Hey Roland,
Congrat's

First-Take a couple of weeks off from work. Heck, maybe quit all together and then take about a hundred trips in rapid succession.

Nah............your still toast for quite some time.
Enjoy

Durt · #9 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 07:17 AM

I've had mine for almost six years and still pull up a chair in the garage and just ... look at it.
Congratulations.

Durt

valpodoc · #10 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 03:49 PM

As previously mentioned got my cobra yesterday

...today is another issue. Got the plates this AM and got the first taste of the open road....at higher RPM she was running a little rough and losing power. I took it to my trusty mechanic who thinks I have a flat spot on my cam...

I called the guys at Top Of the Hill in Livermore (they had been storing the car) and they were suprised to find I hadn't been informed about the condition under the hood. They tell me the engine is "tired and needs to be freshened up" HELP

Any suggestions..I'm bleeding here.

Roland

terry lee · #11 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 04:01 PM

Valpodoc,
I would suggest that you speak with George Anderson at Gessford, and / or Bill Parham at Southern. Both are really great guys and extreemly knowledgeable when it comes to FE's and both can be found thru CC.
Bottom line is you will probably want to pull the engine and have it done right the first time. My advise is to use the best if this is the case.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
TL

valpodoc · #12 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 04:13 PM

thanks, I've already been on their web sites. Any idea about cost?
Roland

terry lee · #13 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 05:40 PM

Roland,
I wish I could be of help here, but without any knowledge of your engine, it is best left to the experts. If it's just rings and valve springs and a new cam, that's not a biggy. If you get into needing new pistons, rods, crank, heads, etc., etc. that's a whole 'nother story.
If they start talking total rebuild, I would think about a "new build" and sell off what you can from the present engine.
I went all alum. for my motor, and love it. All new everything. Not the cheapest way to go, but worth the investment in my book. You will need to weight the costs vs. what you want out of an engine.
If you plan on racing or autocross, I would definetly go alum. just for the weight and balance issues alone. Then there is the "looks side" - check out my photo gallery - there should be a picture or two of my engine in there.

I'm sure you will get plenty of opinions on how to spend your money from this group. Just remmber - It's YOUR Money.

TL

PatBuckley · #14 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 05:51 PM

First off - congratulations on the new Cobra....

Second - where in the Mid-West are you? If you are anywhere near George Anderson I highly recommend him.

Third - Ask Top of the Hill what they mean by "tired". Did they do any testing...compression etc. Did they tell you this before you bought it?

Pat Buckley

valpodoc · #15 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 06:55 PM

Thanks for the info...I'm in Valparaiso,IN (near Chicago). Where is George Anderson. The guys at Top of The Hill are sending their punch list as well as the original build sheet. In their defense I did not buy the car from them, and they were up front when I called. The prior owner....

I understand there are alluminum connecting rods...not much good for street use with the occasional track forray.
I haven't pulled an engine in years and the last was out of a pinto.

Roland

terry lee · #16 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 07:01 PM

George Anderson (Gesford) is in Nebrasksa, and Bill Parham (Southern) is just outside of Atlanta. Either is about the same distance from you give or take a mile or 2.

valpodoc · #17 (**permalink**) 08-28-2003, 07:33 PM

I will be calling them thanks. My friendly neighborhood mechanic is goig to check the compression and look at the lifters for cam wear in the AM

Roland

terry lee · #18 (**permalink**) 08-29-2003, 04:29 AM

Roland,
Please keep us up to date. I think I can speak for everyone here at CC, in that we will offer any and all help that we are capable of. Now having said that, there may be some opinions out there that you won't want to hear. Just try to keep things in perspective.

My only advice right now would be to trust your "friendly neighborhood mechanic" - but only so far!
FE engines are a breed of their own, and need to have people that are experienced in them doing the work, otherwise you might end up paying double or more. There are plenty of stories documented here in the FE forum. Let him tell you what he found, but think twice before letting him do any work. Just my opinion!
GOOD LUCK,
TL

terry lee · #19 (**permalink**) 08-29-2003, 08:12 AM

ROLAND,
I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS THREAD HERE ON CC.
"FE TALK > Shelby Aluminum Crate Motor Special Pricing"
I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT A NEW MOTOR, BUT THIS IS A HELL OF DEAL IN MY BOOKS.
TL

ToyCollector · #20 (**permalink**) 08-29-2003, 01:34 PM

Roland,

I am sorry to hear about this, but I would advise to not cut corners and use an FE (427/428) specialty builder mentioned above and get it done right. Hopefully it just needs some rings, cam, lifters, maybe rods and they can double check everything else while in there. No need for a new motor would be my guess. Once done though, you essentially have a nice fresh car and it will be money well spent. I have built 3 motors for 3 different vehicles with Southern Automotive, and also hear positive things about Gessford's George Anderson.