ERA 752 made it home safe w/pics - Page 2

428street · #21 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 03:54 PM

Thanks guys for all the compliments...Just came back from a 30 mile drive...took the kids one for a short drive each then I took in on the highway. This car is like "budda"...it just rides very smooth. Couple of things I ran into....I think I initially flooded the carb as it would not start...tried to take a ride 2-3 hours ago, then just gave up. Not used to a carberator vehicle..left it alone for a couple of hrs. and it started no problem...probably was pumping the gas pedal which I see now is a no, no...Another strange thing, after I came back from my ride I shut the car off just to see if it would start easily (again, I getting to know it and get confidence), well, it did start but it was a slow wind, then it poped...tried it again, same thing...almost seems like when it get hot it bogs down some electrically...I hope it's not the starter as it was a ***** to put on...

patrickt · #22 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 04:27 PM

If the engine has not been running, I give it two pumps and then crank the key. It will fire right up and then I just lightly feather the pedal until it warms enough to idle smoothly. If the engine has been running, never, never, never pump the pedal before cranking. Instead, just crank the key and lightly feather the pedal once it fires. If you flood your engine, leave it alone for a while -- the worst thing you can do is keep punching the throttle. In fact, we had a member of our local Cobra club have his engine catch on fire because he flooded a hot engine, kept pushing the throttle, and squirted gas on to a hot manifold. You do have a fire extinguisher on board, right?

428street · #23 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 04:44 PM

Patrick: I got the starting thing down...any idea on why it starts very slowly after I have been running it. I am not touching the gas at all with this problem...the best way i can describe it is if I had an uncharged battery and the starter was barely turning the flywheel around...then it pops and starts right up...almost like it is getting stuck..

patrickt · #24 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 04:50 PM

Your engine is new and possibly a little tight. Give it some time to break in. If you're still having the same problem after a couple of hundred miles then it could be the connections to the starter motor, the starter motor itself, or just a timing adjustment. New engines need to break in a bit even if they were broken in on the dyno.

428street · #25 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 04:55 PM

oh, also...I had a fire extingusher when I tok the car home, took it from my house and I am getting a new on on Sunday..starting to built my tool kit as well...I saved the thread of 4-5 months ago on all the tools....I'm not going to get crazy, just the basic stuff...Any recommendations on the F/E?

I will probably get a chrome one since the standard red ones will stick out like a sore thumb in the car..

428street · #26 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:01 PM

I'm not super worried about it I'm just feeling everything out, listening and taking notes...problem is I'm not sure what it normal...for example...I have "some" tapping coming from the heads...best way I can describe it...I'm sure the rocker arms need adjusting...I'm going to call the guy that helped with/build my engine on Monday to get his input...probably have about 100 miles between the car ride home yesterday, Dougs test ride and my 30 miler a while ago..

patrickt · #27 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 428street

I'm not super worried about it I'm just feeling everything out, listening and taking notes...problem is I'm not sure what it normal...for example...I have "some" tapping coming from the heads...best way I can describe it...I'm sure the rocker arms need adjusting...I'm going to call the guy that helped with/build my engine on Monday to get his input...probably have about 100 miles between the car ride home yesterday, Dougs test ride and my 30 miler a while ago..

I understand -- it's kind of like when you bring your first baby home from the hospital.

It gets easier. On your fire extinguisher, I have a chrome Halotron unit mounted right behind the shifter. It makes a perfect elbow rest and it won't leave that nasty white powder residue. Do you have a solid lifter cam in your engine?

JBCOBRA · #28 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:24 PM

Congrats! That car is sweet!
Maybe the timing is a little high for hot resarts?
My theory is just to beat it harder. Don't be over worried about hurting anything. These cars a tough. Enjoy the bee-jesus out of it.
The driving pleasure is where it is at. That is what they are about anyway.
The guys sitting in the lawn chairs at car shows, dusting off their cars every five minutes are missing the true meaning of having one of these cars. my opinion anyway
ENJOY IT!

JBCOBRA · #29 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:35 PM

about the engine noises............the valves are right in front of the dash and valve covers kind of amplify engine noise directly toward you. No worries. If something is really wrong the sounds get Way louder. Just trying to give some piece of mind
JB

428street · #30 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:54 PM

Thanks JBCobra, trust me this will not be a garage queen...I'm driving this beotch! Will I bring it to a show or two...maybe but I'm not looking to take any trophies...

JBCOBRA · #31 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 05:57 PM

You are the man!
Meet us up in Watkins Glen for the Vintage Grand Prix. We go nuts up there. You will be in your glory.

428street · #32 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 06:02 PM

I'm going to try to make it to a bunch of stuff...Lime Rock is in my neck of the woods...not sure how much track stuff I can do as I do not have a roll bar...I'd love to open it up somewhere!

JBCOBRA · #33 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 06:06 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpdO8Dy7_iQ

I am not sure if I did this link right but if it works you can see a bunch of us at the begining of the video

patrickt · #34 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 428street

...I'd love to open it up somewhere!

After you've broken the car in by driving gently for a few hundred miles, take your car to a large open space where you can safely lose control. The parking lot of a ball stadium or large concert arena early on a Sunday morning is good (lots with NO light poles, please). Drive in a circle, lift off the throttle, and learn how your rear comes out unexpectedly. Try accelerating "too hard" out of a pretend curve and see what happens. Experiment with hard launches out of the hole with your wheels not completely straight so you start fish-tailing. With no roll bar you might have trouble getting on some tracks for hi-po training. An instructor might be a little hesitant to sit in that passenger seat but you can at least follow him and learn the proper lines (if they let you on the track, that is).

SLHetal · #35 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 03:20 AM

Patrickt is right on with good advice. I did the same thing with my old 1958 Carrera Speedster after a total restoration. It was basically a new car again and I had to learn it all over again. A few weeks later I nearly became entangled in a traffic disaster but was able to avoid mishap by using the little car's power and agility. Knowledge is king.
Sam

patrickt · #36 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLHetal

Patrickt is right on with good advice. I did the same thing with my old 1958 Carrera Speedster ... I had to learn it all over again.

I think the two most common mistakes with a new Cobra that I have seen over the years are: 1) Learning about lift-throttle oversteer the hard way; and 2) Showing off with a cool burn-out and then losing control of the car.

I guess there is that occasional newbie that is heard to say "I was in a perfect four wheel drift at 110 and just lightly kissed that guard rail...." I can't say I recall hearing that, though.

Great Asp · #37 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

After you've broken the car in by driving gently for a few hundred miles, take your car to a large open space where you can safely lose control. The parking lot of a ball stadium or large concert arena early on a Sunday morning is good (lots with NO light poles, please). Drive in a circle, lift off the throttle, and learn how your rear comes out unexpectedly. Try accelerating "too hard" out of a pretend curve and see what happens. Experiment with hard launches out of the hole with your wheels not completely straight so you start fish-tailing. With no roll bar you might have trouble getting on some tracks for hi-po training. An instructor might be a little hesitant to sit in that passenger seat but you can at least follow him and learn the proper lines (if they let you on the track, that is).

This is some of the best advice you will ever get regarding your Cobra (More important than BBF or SBF

)

E

patrickt · #38 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Asp

This is some of the best advice you will ever get regarding your Cobra (More important than BBF or SBF

)

428Street, once you start learning how your Cobra can surprise you sights like this will start making sense to you. And when your wife says something like "I wonder how he managed to do that?" you'll be able to say "Let me tell you about lift throttle oversteer...."

428street · #39 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 01:28 PM

oh boy, thats a bad day...I have to confess, I am the farthest thing from a speed demon...I was one of those kids that the parents of my friends were happy to find out I was driving when we went out because I didn't speed and was fairly responsible (I had to be but that is another story in and of itself). I am going to test this thing out though.

Just came back from another 30 miler...the heater is nice and really kicks off some good heat.

This car has exceeded my expectation...Every time I drive it I am more and more satisfied. I have a Boxster S which I love and drives like a dream...I was a bit nervous when I started building this car that it would not compare to the Boxster but I have to tell you it is close...the car is EXTREMELY responsive...almost like if my foot goes near the gas pedal she wants to go and go quickly...on the highway the car just glides...

JBCOBRA · #40 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 06:16 PM

Anyone who as any natural aptitude toward driving will find these cars are relatively easy to drive.