Lippy's ERA #797 build log

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

Claire, what BBC customers? I have one, and he has bought 4 Ford engines from me so I felt obligated to help.....hahaha

I love you guys.

Ya see, Mr. Claire-voyant.

Now back to the those pics of the main bearings. Clevite 77's weren't they?

[blykins]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Ya see, Mr. Claire-voyant.

Now back to the those pics of the main bearings. Clevite 77's weren't they?

ACL's....

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by blykins

Claire, what BBC customers? I have one, and he has bought 4 Ford engines from me so I felt obligated to help.....hahaha

OK that's it. I'm sending him Jim Dove's number......

[Murky781]

I saw your car up at Ct Custom and it looks fantastic!! Walt and Walt do a great job and you picked the right color. Good luck on your build.

[tkb289]

lippy,

Looking good!

Don't know if you have selected a carrier yet, but if not I have a recommendation. I used Intercity Lines and they were reasonably priced, kept me informed as to status of the truck location & estimated delivery and overall did a great job. Would use them again.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by tkb289

lippy,

Looking good!

Don't know if you have selected a carrier yet, but if not I have a recommendation. I used Intercity Lines and they were reasonably priced, kept me informed as to status of the truck location & estimated delivery and overall did a great job. Would use them again.

Yes, planning on using Intercity. Good references and competitive price. Thanks.

[lippy]

Car is on the way and will arrive tomorrow (Wed/7th). I'll post pix tomorrow night.

[lippy]

So I finally took delivery on Wed night. It took a few friends (and one of their wrestler sons) to unload the car, suspension, and boxes, and get them in the garage. I spent several hours looking at the car and through the boxes, and I am impressed with the quality of the ERA kit, and the paint job by Connecticut Custom Cars. I'm also very happy with my choices and not regretting any one of them so far. The one problem I had, though, is there were probably 30 scuffs and minor scratches on the car. I *think* I got most of them out with 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and about 3 hours worth of work. They are all on the surface, so they should be ok, but I didn't expect this. Anyway, I will start to bond the engine bay panels this weekend and post some pix when I get a chance.



Cobra delivery by Lippy111, on Flickr


Just unloaded by Lippy111, on Flickr


Cobra in garage by Lippy111, on Flickr



Cobra in garage by Lippy111, on Flickr

(Thanks to Tim for helping me learn a better way to post photos!)

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by lippy

The one problem I had, though, is there were probably 30 scuffs and minor scratches on the car.

And you can tell you're frustrated in that 2nd pic down where you have your hands on your hips.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

And you can tell you're frustrated in that 2nd pic down where you have your hands on your hips.

That's not me. I was in front if the truck, trying to keep cars from hitting it.

[kevins2]

Hey Lippy,

Now the real fun begins. I had the very same thoughts about the kit quality when I first unpacked the boxes. Keep us posted on your progress, and enjoy!

Regards,

Kevin

[Dimis]

Merry Christmas & Happy birthday

It really is a great feeling seeing it come off the truck and into your garage for the first time.

Congrats!


PS: I wouldn't worry about those scuffs - there's likely to be plenty more once you start driving her, I'm afraid to say.

[DanEC]

Alright - another black ERA - beautiful. I hate to tell you but you will probably pick up a couple more scuff marks during the assembly process no matter how careful you try to be. I would keep as much of the paint covered as possible until after you have the engine and interior in and then you can polish it out. Are you providing your own rear suspension or did you have them deliver it uninstalled?

[lippy]

Not black, dark blue but shows scratches just as much.

They delivered the suspension uninstalled. It's really heavy. Not sure how I will jack it into position but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, or just get four guys to help.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

They delivered the suspension uninstalled. It's really heavy. Not sure how I will jack it into position but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, or just get four guys to help.

Floor jacks with wood braces/supports -- it's doable.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by lippy

Not black, dark blue but shows scratches just as much.

They delivered the suspension uninstalled. It's really heavy. Not sure how I will jack it into position but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, or just get four guys to help.

Sorry - color on my old laptop is a little off. Looked back at the photos from the paint shop and can see that it's dark blue now. My rear suspension was installed at ERA but from what I understand from ERAChase, it will go right in after pulling the gas tank. I suspect the biggest chore is working out how to support or balance it on a jack to roll under the rear.

[427 Street]

Good for you! That is great...I am really enjoying your thread.

For some reason I thought you were doing a a Street car.

[DonC]

Some time back I had the rear suspension out of my car to have the drain plug repaired. I used a transmission jack to support it when it came out and went back in. A floor jack will work as well but just not as stable. I think I paid about $50 for the trans jack at Harbor Freight but, again, it was quite a while ago.
On the plus side ERA does a super job on engineering and fitment so you won't have to worry about things lining up. Put the part in place and drop the bolt in. If it needs a stover nut it's already welded in. Doesn't need any shimming or adjustment of the mounting points. They're just where they need to be. No surprises.
You might want to pick up a tapered punch to use as an alignment aid when putting the components in. I find one long and one short help a lot.
DonC

[ERA Chas]

It's cake.Use a regular 2 or 3 ton floor jack. Cut a 3/4" thick board about a foot square and place on the jack's pad. With the car on jack stands and the gas tank out, roll the jack with rear under the car and elevate carefully.
Use the drift or awl as suggested to align the two top bolts and tighten them to 100 lb/ft. Connect the trailing arms to the chassis then remove the jack.
Here's a snap of the rear when I changed ratios, sitting on the board. Just size the board to support the cage and dif and no bigger.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

It's cake.Use a regular 2 or 3 ton floor jack. Cut a 3/4" thick board about a foot square and place on the jack's pad.

Uhhh, isn't that what I just posted? BTW, the Xtreme Filter top came. I'm going to try and turn it into aluminum this weekend. The bottom base of the Xtreme top does not fit with the existing filter, and the new filter will not fit with the existing base that fits my 4160 carb. But I think my existing base is easily modified to be flat, so I'll do that after I take some measurements. I got thrown off my schedule fetching one of the kids home from college and the three tons of crap that needed to be moved.