Lippy's ERA #797 build log

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

I was just giving Jeff a hard time. I've just never seen driveshaft tubing that small on a Cobra. Normally, we use 3" or 3.5" diameter for big horsepower stuff.

No problem. But with that motor, if he gets really sticky tires on there, and if he drops it really hard out of the hole, it will almost certainly break something. Most likely the stubs....

[lippy]

Originally Posted by blykins

I was just giving Jeff a hard time. I've just never seen driveshaft tubing that small on a Cobra. Normally, we use 3" or 3.5" diameter for big horsepower stuff.

Here is a Kirkham driveshaft. Looks similar to mine in diameter. Just sayin'.

[blykins]

Yep......

[lippy]

I'm making good progress and hope to start the car for the first time this next weekend. But the car has been fighting me the whole way since we dropped in the engine.

- Finished plumbing the fuel regulator and lines
- Completed the accelerator linkage
- Finished the remote oil adapter. The filter was interfering with the front crossmember, so I had to have 1/4" milled off the adapter bracket.
- Cut the tunnel and installed the trim ring and boot for the shifter
- Mounted the fire extinguisher on the bulkhead
- Had the trans out 3x because the clutch wouldn't disengage. I'm pretty sure now the problem was interference between the clutch splines and the throw out bearing retainer (thanks to Brent and the folks here) so I removed the bearing retainer and am having it cut down 5/16"
- Repainted and installed the expansion tank. It was interfering with the distributor so I had to have a 1/2" aluminum spacer made to fix that problem
- Installed the headers and sidepipes. One side went on easy, the other was a b*tch and I dented/dinged a collector tube on a sidepipe. Bummer, and the only real damage so far. I will just live with it for now.
- Installed a braided stainless hose for the oil pressure circuit, and installed the other senders






Hard to see it with this angle, but the bearing retainer is too long.

[GT350Mike]

Before I decided to go with a stock bracket, I found this site that offers a few options.

Ford FE 390, 427, 428 Alternator and Power Steering Brackets

[lippy]

Originally Posted by GT350Mike

Before I decided to go with a stock bracket, I found this site that offers a few options.

Ford FE 390, 427, 428 Alternator and Power Steering Brackets

Those look nice. I ended up changing the black one to a silver ceramic coated one from ERA. It's not a slick billet aluminum piece, but it looks clean and blends in well.

[lippy]

First start and first drive today. TKB came by and was a huge help. I had a few things to finish: rough alignment, hang and adjust the doors, and assemble the interior. Before the first start, I primed the oil pump, set the timing (static), and it fired right up. Then I set the timing with a strobe and fixed a few small leaks - nothing major.

I took it first up the street and back and then checked it out. Then I took it about 2 mi to a gas station. I'm surprised how smooth and easy to steer this car is. Brakes seemed fine, clutch too.

The only things that don't seem to be working at this point are the tach and the speedo, so I'll try to chase those problems down later this weekend.




With TKB's car

[PLDRIVE]

Looks good Lippy!

[Dimis]

Woohoo!!!
Nice work lippy.
I'm flattering myself here, but in many ways I see you car as a sister car to my ride.
Particularly as the drive line has so many similarities.

Seeing you ride off into the sunset is inspiration and motivating me to finish all that sanding and polishin'

Well done man!

[frdfver]

Congrats on the first drive..Car looks real good.

[tkb289]

I stopped by lippy's this afternoon to take a look at his 427 ERA, and it is a real beauty. The car is very well planned out and everything fits well together, the FIA wheels are a nice touch.

Before starting the motor in the car for the first time, lippy went through a complete check list, primed the oiling system and gave everything a good once over. After a few cranks to get fuel into the carb, the motor fired right up. It has a deep lopey idle and when the throttle is blipped, the motor just roars … it sounds great and looks very impressive … not a lot of room left over with all that motor stuffed in there

After a few minor adjustments it was time for the first short drive up the street and back … then a quick check for leaks and off for another short drive. I followed lippy to the gas station, the car sits well and tracks nicely down the road, and it sounds fantastic, Brent did a wonderful job on the motor.

Here are a couple of photos, it's a deep non metallic blue that is stunning, looks even better in real life. The dash, seats and interior are first rate, all that hard work paid off.

From first start to first drive in about an hour, that's a testament to a well built car & well prepared motor. Your 'to do list' is pretty darn short … well done lippy!

tkb


================

[DanEC]

Congratulations Lippy - that is amazingly quick progress to your first drive. It is surprising how well they ride and light the steering is (at least compared to my old Corvette). Good luck with the tach and speedo.

[1795]

Lippy,

I have been following your build for a while. Very nice job, the car looks great and your posts have been very descriptive and helpful to others. Can't wait to see the picture with license plates attached and a you tube link so that we can listen to the rumble. Enjoy.

Jim

[patrickt]

You've done a really nice job. You should be proud.

[kevins2]

Congrats on the first drive - car looks great. You're braver than I was driving to a gas station with no tag. I hauled gas in a 5 gal. can 4 times and drove around the back roads. Enjoy!

Kevin

[xb-60]

Looks great Lippy. You must be really happy to finally turn its wheels on the road. Non-metallic deep blue and no stripes....great choice!
Cheers,
Glen

[lippy]

Originally Posted by kevins2

Congrats on the first drive - car looks great. You're braver than I was driving to a gas station with no tag. I hauled gas in a 5 gal. can 4 times and drove around the back roads. Enjoy!

Kevin

I'm legal, man. I have a TOP = Temporary Operating Permit. That's how they do it here.

[lippy]

Sorted out what I hope are the last two non-operational items: (1) tach ground wasn't connected properly, and (2) minor bonehead move - the speedo didn't work and I didn't realize they didn't give me a gear with the cable. Found the right one with retainer clip at a local Ford dealer and the speedo is now working. Put about 75 miles on the car since the first start on Saturday and everything seems solid.

[buddyg]

Congrats great project, shoot some videos!

[Varmit]

Congrats Lippy, looks like you did an excellent job. If you are ever down San Diego way, give me a shout!!!