Cobra Completion Fundraiser for 767Jockey - Page 16

elmariachi · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 08:10 AM

Rick, everything about your post is contrary to how we roll. This group is now infamous for shredding 5 Chinese tires off of a 48' trailer going to and from the Big Bend Race last April, and the year prior to that we perfected the art of "Competitive High Speed Tow Rig & Empty Trailer Racing." Lastly, we don't eat sandwiches, we eat cheeseburgers only, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

86Sebring · #2 (**permalink**) 01-30-2012, 07:30 AM

there is a set of roller rockers for sale in the classified section
PhotoPost Classifieds - FBB Roller Rockers and push rods - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

767Jockey · #3 (**permalink**) 01-30-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Sebring

there is a set of roller rockers for sale in the classified section
PhotoPost Classifieds - FBB Roller Rockers and push rods - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

Thanks for the heads up. Russ (SoTxButler) was kind enough to send a set along early in this journey. That's the only box of parts that was sent directly to my home, so it's the only parts that were sent that I'm actually aware of, the rest are at Ed's place in Michigan. Since I've never been there and Ed has never opened the boxes, I have no idea what's up there! As for the rockers that Russ sent, they're all boxed up, ready to go once the car gets down here and it's lazy owner gets to working on it once again!

I always feel bad when I log on here and get the message at the top of the screen reminding me that I haven't posted in a while. So, with that in mind, I'll give a quick update for those who may be interested.....

As you've all likely read, for various reasons Ed "DV" Combs needs to move on to other projects, and the car needs to be removed from his shop. Jim (elmariachi) has been incredible - I don't have the words to describe to all of you the force that he's been in getting this car to Texas and completed. The man is a wonder - I can't believe the time and energy he's put into getting this done. Right now the tentative date is to leave Houston with a truck and trailer and head up to Michigan on Feb. 23rd. We'd probably be in Michigan and loading up the car on Friday, Feb. 24th, and heading right back down to the Houston area. Still up in the air is exactly where the car will be going once it gets to Houston. I guess that's the least of the problems right now. Jim has put together a group of great guys, some of who I had the chance to meet over at Jim's beautiful home on his birthday. Jim feels fairly confident that on days or times when I'm not feeling up to par that some of the guys may be willing to help me a bit with wrenching on the car. My goal is to get it completed in some way so that I can at least enjoy it for a while.

That's about it for now. I have a set of heads finally (C4AE-6090 is the number, if I recall correctly) that need to be rebuilt. If anyone knows of a good, reasonably priced shop in the Houston area that can handle this, please let me know! I'll get that done, and that's about the last of the big pieces needed. The biggest question now is if the short block is any good. I'll have to give it a real good inspection, hopefully the rings and bearings are in good shape. If not I'll have to rebuild it. That would add some time and dollars to the equation, if need be, but that's all to be expected. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that it's in solid shape. I'm sure there's tons of little things that are needed for completion, but the major components are all on hand. I think the interior is the biggest single purchase left. The dash is done, so are the seats. Just carpeting and door panels are needed. I'll start looking for a local shop when the time comes for that.

So many of you sent so many things, but I still have no idea what was sent. I don't believe that Ed ever had the chance to open the boxes, as far as I know they're all still in his shop piled up and unopened. It'll be like Christmas in early March when I finally get to open them all up and go through them and inventory what's there.

I sure hope you guys put names and contact info on the boxes so I can contact you and properly thank you all.

Well, that's about it for now - I hope I haven't bored you all too badly.

It'll be really great to have the car here, I haven't laid eyes on it in I'm guessing about two years or so. At least it seems that long. I look back on this whole journey, and so many guys who have been so wonderfully helpful and generous in this whole thing. Through a sequesnce of amazingly generous actions by some amazingly generous people, starting with CobraEd and DCDoug, through Rick Lake, through Jim (elmariachi) and so many, many more, it looks like it's all coming full circle. Although home, health and life as I once knew it have changed entirely, the car is coming home, as home now is. I just look forward to seeing it once again. None of this would have been possible without you guys. Again, words fail me, so please accept my simple yet endlessly heartfelt thank you.

I mentioned a few names above, but there are so, so many more. I hope, once the boxes are all opened and I see the who's and whats, and the car gets completed, to have proper and fitting acknowledgement to each and ever one of you who so amazingly contributed to this project. I'm already, in my mind, planning for the grand finishing party. So far the only thing I've decided upon is that there will be beer - LOT'S of beer, for those who attend!

RACER X #99 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Sebring

there is a set of roller rockers for sale in the classified section
PhotoPost Classifieds - FBB Roller Rockers and push rods - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

Those may be Dove rockers but those are not Dove stands and Dove uses solid spacers not original springs. PASS

CobraEd · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2012, 06:50 AM

Well I got a personal email from Doug (767Jockey). What a great guy! A most thankful individual! From some of the wording he used, it would appear that timing with his car may be an issue. You can all read between the lines here. This has been a great outpouring of support by all of us each in our own way in an effort to get him in his car and motoring down the road. I hope the Texas team can pull together for the final stretch of this effort to use all of the parts and dollars contributed to finalize the actual completion of Dougs car.

I guess this effort has been going on now for a couple of years. (I did not check the date I started this thread) Let's hope the last leg of the build is near and Doug can enjoy his car. It is a testimony to the Cobra family here on CC for all of you who have contributed to this effort in one way or another. I know that Doug cannot believe it!

Doug, please keep us up to date both on the car status as well as your personal status.

Ed

.

double ugly · #6 (**permalink**) 04-08-2012, 04:17 PM

No updates?

elmariachi · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2012, 09:43 AM

Doug and I are going to go get the car, but it will not happen until May due to my schedule.

elmariachi · #8 (**permalink**) 05-14-2012, 08:19 AM

Okay guys, we are trying to nail down a date in late May to go get this car with DougM. DCDoug can you please contact DougM ASAP to discuss our plans?

Thanks,

Jim

rpatton3 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-19-2012, 07:52 PM

I wish I could do something to help out.

Never take your health for granted! I broke my neck at c5-6 in 1984 when I was a senior at University of Arkansas. From age 21 I have used a wheelchair. My shoulders wore out and I had to use an electric power chair from 2007 on.

I retired at 59 due to health reasons but retirement is driving me crazy. I am getting a new IV antibiotic tomorrow. I would like to help out even it is something small.

I wish I could write you a big check but just had a $5,200 repair bill on my reclining wheelchair.

If the car is gonna have a CD player, maybe I could burn some CD's if somebody will tell me what to put on them. Maybe iTunes or PayPal would be better.

Please let me know. God bless all if you!

Russell

rpatton3 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-19-2012, 08:32 PM

All the FE engines are internally balanced exceed 410" Mercury and 428" Fords.

I am sure your cadre of buddies knew that. My 1968 Cobra with the 427" hydraulic lifter W code had two alternator belts. I always wondered if it do any good. If one belt let go, there went the other, too.

Best wishes,

Russell

dcdoug · #11 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 01:37 PM

What's the status? How's it coming?

elmariachi · #12 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 02:31 PM

The car is in my garage where Doug and I have been slowwwwly working on getting the wiring done. I say slowly because firstly its hotter than hell in the summer here (100F in my garage) and secondly Doug and I both have been traveling quite a bit on business. Once things cool off in late August and early September we'll make some good progress.

In the meantime Doug and I have been spending quite of bit of brain time together as he has become my chief engine consultant on my newest project, a 1969 Mustang Boss 302 Trans Am race car. Doug has been schooling me on the Cleveland and Windsor engine families, and doing an excellent job of spending my money. He stands in one bay of my garage cussing his Cobra wiring while I stand next to him ripping the guts out of my Mustang. Its chop/cut/rebuild/cuss heaven. Doug has also been dabbling around in some FE stuff trying to decide how to power his car once he finalizes the roller build.

He may have a different perspective but that's where things stand from my POV.....

p.s. I got the better end of this deal. He got his car to Texas, but I got a new friend that tells me what I want to hear.

dcdoug · #13 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 02:41 PM

Glad to hear it's moving forward. Interested to hear more about the Boss 302 T/A and glad to hear that Doug is getting some good cuss time in with his baby. Maybe he needs to spend some of your $$ on A/C for the garage....just sayin'

CobraEd · #14 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 02:59 PM

How is he feeling?

.

elmariachi · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Interested to hear more about the Boss 302 T/A and glad to hear that Doug is getting some good cuss time in with his baby. Maybe he needs to spend some of your $$ on A/C for the garage....just sayin'

I'll post up a new thread about the TA car when I make a bit more progress. Your AC idea is stellar but the head of my accounting department has closed for the season following the submission of the TA build sheets

Quote:

Originally Posted by CobraEd

How is he feeling?

I'll let Doug answer that one.

767Jockey · #16 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012, 09:41 AM

Hey, guys - sorry about the lack of posting. That’s my fault.

The really good news is that the car is in Houston, and it’ll be completed down there. Right now, I’m trying to get the wiring harness installed and finished. If I were to list my level of expertise in the different areas needed to complete the car, engines would definitely be at the top, and electrical would absolutely be way down at the bottom. Given that, it’s extremely frustrating tying to get this electrical work done. As I’ve said on other occasions, electrical is voodoo science to me. I have a Ron Francis harness in the car that is supposed to be a generic harness, however while progressing through the installation process it’s becoming very obvious that the harness is heavily weighted toward using his headlight switch and ignition switch. Trying to use the Lucas toggles for lights and dimmer is posing all sorts of problems with the addition of multiple light relays, etc. This has quickly spiraled way over my head, so progress is extremely slow. It’ll get there; it’s just another challenge to overcome.

After the harness is done, I have to install the radiator, fans, oil cooler and all the associated aluminum ductwork and shrouding needs to be fabricated. Jim has a metal bending tool, so I’ll try my hand at that. Way back when, I had Nick Acton make up a really neat bracket system that takes the upright Contemporary radiator out, and accepts a Fluidyne Cobra type radiator in the proper laid back position with the pusher fans, etc. After that’s all done, the floor mounted pedal box and lines, also a Nick Acton custom piece, need to be installed. Hopefully that’ll be a straight forward installation. Next comes the emergency brake installation. Jim had a spare handle lying around that we swapped a part for, so I’ll use that one. As far as the hookup goes, that’s a mystery at this point how it’s going to be done. After the electrical, that’s the one job that I think is going to be very difficult.

After that a fuel line and pump need to be run and installed, and some odds and ends sorted out. Then it’s on to powertrain and interior, and hopefully on the road. How long this will all take is anyone’s guess.

Health wise, I’m holding up ok. I just take it day by day. So far everything is going ok. Given the circumstances, that's the best I could ask for, and I'm thankful for what I have.

Getting the car here was a marathon, with Jim and Bill taking me along on a Houston to Michigan and back in 48 hours non-stop run. Whew, what a whirlwind that was. Perhaps the biggest trooper in all this is Jim’s wonderful wife. Her car has been relegated to the driveway to make room for mine, and she has to put up with me inhabiting her garage when I can get there. She and Jim, Bill, Rick Lake, DC Doug, Cobra Ed, FatBoy (Paul), and so, so many others have been absolutely incredible with all this. The car wouldn’t be in Houston without them and all of you who have done so much. Now it’s my job to get this car done, and it WILL get done. I absolutely want to have a chance to drive it, and I WILL drive it. Of that I have no doubt. Now, if I could just get through this darned electrical……….

I promise to make every attempt to do a better job of posting and keeping those of you who are interested up to date on the progress of the car. Thanks so much, once again and always, to each and every one of you.

Doug

86Sebring · #17 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012, 10:07 AM

great news, good to hear about the progress
Doug, electrical circuits are just like rivers of water with some dampers in between, large lakes, waterfalls, eventually it flows in to the ocean, becomes clouds, and the circle starts again very easy

elmariachi · #18 (**permalink**) 08-14-2012, 07:39 PM

Have no fear guys, if sweetie wanted her spot back she'd be rolling Doug's junk out in the street. When we get back from Monterey we are gonna have a gang bang wiring party and we'll get it wired up.