First drive in the cobra. Checklist???

[Andreas]

I was searching the forums to see if anybody had compiled list of things to check before driving a cobra for the first time after a build. does anybody know of a list or does anybody have any input on some of the more important things to check. I'm pretty confident with the build but I am also aware of my ability to make mistakes. I just want to make sure that I didn't miss anything that could potentially harm the car oh and also myself as well. Thanks

Andre

[xlr8or]

All fluid levels, air pressure, pedal pressure, exhaust and header bolts, engine/trans mounts, shock mounts, suspension mounts.

If those all check go for a short ride and feel it out. If all is good bring it back and check for leaks. Go for another drive. Don't bother trying to wipe the smile from your face.

[JWheaton]

Seatbelt!

[madmaxx]

Drive it no more than 5 miles from the house the first 5 heat cycles. Check all hoses, fluids, suspension bolts, fuel lines, brake lines, ignition timing, distributor hold down bolt, spinners. The bottom line is check the car after everytime you drive it regardless of the miles.

[Ron61]

Madmaxx does it the way I did. When I first got mine I checked everything before I ever drove it. Then the first several trips were short and once I got back I checked it while the engine was still hot and then again after everything had cooled off. I was lucky and never had any leaks or anything, but did have to re torque a couple of bolts. Especially watch the intake bolts if you have aluminum intake and heads as they seem more prone to back off just a little.

Ron

[392cobra]

Check that the butterflies in the carb open completely with the pedal to the floor.

[wtm442]

Don't go to far from home.
Do not stomp on the gas in any gear (that will come later).
Bring your cell phone.
Toothpick to pick the bugs out of your teeth due to the permanent smile.

[dave from mesa]

Originally Posted by wtm442

Do not stomp on the gas in any gear (that will come later).

And when that time comes remember to wear and old pair of undies. Just throw them away when you get back.

[JayBar]

check the ride height. If you have a solid rear axle and have to much angle between the drive shaft and rear it will "bind". Mine was fine till I filled the tank. Also and this may sound ridiculous, tighten the lug nuts.

[Bill Wallace]

I would strongly endorse the recommendations of others to check everything. Make assumptions that the worst will happen on your first drives and work like hell to disprove your assumptions.

I bought a high dollar motor from a reputable constructor and paid for the installation. Here's what happened to me:
1.) Gas line was leaking at the carburetor....ever so slightly but would have gone undetected had I not at least lifted the hood to look for obvious leaks. It was quickly fixed but had I not double checked it could have resulted in a very expensive and dangerous fire.
2.) Throttle return stuck on first time wide-open throttle. The bolt in the bell crank was installed backward and the threads caught on the spark plug wires. Fortunately I had plenty of road in front of me and was able to depress the clutch and switch the ignition off. If I hadn't had previous experience with dirt bikes I don't know that I would have been able to think quickly enough to avoid a serious wreck.
3.) Engine constructor didn't install the rev limiter in the MSD box. This became obvious when #2 occurred.
4.) Engine constructor didn't tighten the spinner on the right rear wheel. The car got squirrely on a slow left hand sweeper. It wandered just like my 4 wheel steer lawn tractor when the steering wheel is just off of center. The spinner moved by hand. I tightened it using techniques recommended on this site by others and it has since loosened again. I am in the process of safety wiring them as recommended elsewhere on this site.

Bottom line, assume Murphy's law is alive and well in your build. I was complacent and should have done a much better job double checking work done by others. I didn't, but fortunately everything turned out all right. I hope my near misses and misfortune save you the same headaches.

Good luck!

[Randy Rosenberg]

Depends...

[Rick Parker]

Be aware of your surroundings. Get the feel of the controls, the brakes, the steering, the engine noises, the throttle, the exhaust note, the clutch pedal (make a mental note: where does it engage). Look at the gauges, know where they should be when normal temps are reached. Watch the mirrors, learn wherre the blind spots are. Being in the open convertable plays on all your senses. You will feel like you are going faster than you are (this is good). Stay focused, be aware of what is going on around you. Make a mental note of the brake pedal feel and how increasing the pressure affects stopping distances.
Avoid streets with a lot of traffic until you have some seat time.

[Andreas]

Thank you all for the good advice. These are all things to look for when it comes to making sure that the car is mechanically sound. I have driven this car before but it has been 2.5 years and has since undergone a complete remodel. This go around the car is somewhat respectable and will travel in excess of 85 miles per hour so I'm trying to take it a little more seriously. Since it was stripped down to literally the bare frame I want to make sure to check everything accordingly. It sounds like I should check it, check it again, check it again, drive it a short distance and resume the checking process. That seems like the safest way to go. Let me know if anything else comes to mind and again thank you for all of your input.

[CobraMike]

Hello,

I'd be sure to have a hot blond and beer!

Congrats on taking things more seriously than I would With so little seperating you from the world in a cobra, don't trust the mirrors for ****, pretend your a pedstrian that could be killed by a moped! Something I'd also suggest, don't take your friends for a ride til you're comfortable.

Cheers,
Mike

[Andreas]

i've been riding crotch rockets for a few years now and i thankfully have not come in contact with the pavement thus far. i'm hoping that applying the same respect to the cobra as i do to the Yamaha will keep me out of trouble. the other bad news is that i have a subaru that will run circles around what this cobra could ever hope to do so if i need to get my rocks off i can just drive that. i just want to drive this beautiful cobra after the two year wait!!!