Windshield Rake

[LodiWino]

Cobra's with more windshield rake (layback) look better, in my opinion.

I can increase the rake by widening the fiberglass slot the windshield post fits through. The mounting holes in the posts are much larger than the mounting bolts, so there is already a built-in latitude. The rake may be pre-defined if using with side curtains, but there are no side curtains in this case.

Between widening the slot in the fiberglass and filing more of a slot in the brass post I can increase the rake 5 - 10 degrees.

Has anyone done this?

[Michael C Henry]

The standard convertable top and side cutains don't fit, and then there's the windsheild wiper location, It lowers the top edge of the windsheild and then the wind keeps trying to lift your cap off unless you scrunch down. Every descion has a consequence..

[tkb289]

Lodi ... Did not remember seeing any posts, but you must have taken delivery of 773 ... if so, Congratulations !!!

Is the car running or if not, what's left on your 'to do' list ? Any photos of the car ?

[ERA Chas]

I would NOT remove material from the brass uprights. At 100+MPH you'll eat the windshield.

ERA's have a 47 deg rake already-more than CSX's and possibly KMP's.

[mickmate]

The race cars passed scrutineering with the windsheild at correct height. After a few laps at speed it laid down to a more aerodynamic angle. The slotting of windsheild mounting holes is an old trick. I don't see a problem unless you get too close to the edge of the plate.

[strictlypersonl]

The FIAs definitely ran with an increased windshield rake, but I'm not sure about the 427s. Maybe the officials figured out what was going on with the early cars.
At any rate, our FIAs have extra adjustment built into the mounting system (caged nut plates) to lay the windshield back more than our 427.
Note that things get a little flakey when the angle is way off stock: The seal at the bottom no longer works all that well.

[cobrajeff]

I laid mine back as far as it would go, using the generous holes in the windshield frame:



The windshield rubber gasket sets down fine. I did have to make a number of modifications to the soft top
bows to get it to fit. I started a custom set of side curtains, but have never finished them.
I have only used my top a couple times in thirteen years (it's very difficult to climb in and out of the car
with the cage braces and the top up).

Jeff

[LodiWino]

Photo of Jeff's FIA windshield looks great! Could you measure the rake angle?

Regarding progress on the build... The car was delivered at the end of May. The motor is still not done so I installed a mock-up 390 to start laying out plumbing and elecrical. Everything has been moved off the firewall including electrical. Smith electronic gauges replace standard. Windshield wiper motor has been relocated to right side of glove box. Fan housing re-mounted with no plumbing penetrations on the fire wall. Chrome firewall, foot well covers and heat shields are being fabricated. Electric water pump, thermostat bypass valve, remote oil filter are layed out but I'm not going to mount them until the real motor is done.

I try to get in a couple of hours every morning before work, but this project is going to take a lot more time than I thought it would. But I am having fun, and the guys at ERA have been great to work with.

[cobrajeff]

I moved all of the electrical off the firewall in my car, too:



I re-routed the main harness behind the firewall, and mounted the fuse panels under the dash. They're not very easy to get to like that, but, I liked the cleaner look on the firewall.

Will try to get out to the garage with a protractor later today.

Jeff

[Snakebit]

Measured my windshield tonight it is at 45*

[cobrajeff]

Measured my windshield angle at about 43 degrees.

Jeff

[LodiWino]

My windshield rake angle is 41 degrees. 38 degrees looks possible without going too wild with the file.

Thanks fore the feedback!