Club Cobra Keith Craft Racing  

Go Back   Club Cobra > Manufacturers, Engine Builders, tools, and parts. > ERA---Speak with Bob Putnam

MMG Superformance
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Main Menu
Module Jump:
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
MMG Superformance
Keith Craft Racing
April 2026
S M T W T F S
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30    

Kirkham Motorsports

Like Tree3Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 06-14-2011, 12:52 PM
289fia_cobra's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: Factory Five Racing MKIII Roadster 347
Posts: 1,053
Not Ranked     
Default

Tim, at this point, you probably have some kind of checklist; it's important to have it so you don't keep repeating yourself "did I remember to tigthen".

IN that little note book I brought over, every time I torqued something down, I drew a picture if it was a lot of bolts, and simply put down the final torque setting and pattern used if required, on that part/assembly, and date it. Then if I don't recall, I just go to my note book to see if I did.

You could make a similar checklist well in advance and just date it with the torque settings and know it's out of the way. I realize that the DAY you fire it up for the first time, you'll still be pouring over things in a dozen different directions so keep a log in perhaps sections (electrical, plumbing, fluids, engine bay, interior, etc.)

On first fire up, and possibly a drive around the block, you want to first check:

1. Oil Level
2. Coolant Level (initial)
3. Battery Charged (prior night, trickle charge it)
4. Double check brake fluids; maybe do a roller test this week.
5. Tire check (these cars don't usually need a lot of air due to their weight; 25psi is a good starting point if you go by the 1psi per 100lbs.)
6. firing order. It's just good to know you have it wired correctly.

On the day of startup , have a fire extinguisher or two, handy. Do a cursory check of all your controls. If a fire starts, know where you kill switch is - that is go through the motions of a mock fire so you know how long it will take to kill the battery.

Push the car out of the garage. Last thing you want is a possible house fire!

Warm up engine for a few minutes. Get out and check for leaks when you're at 150 deg.F. Need to check fuel lines, brake lines, coolant lines.

While waiting or checking fluid leaks, have a person outside just confirm all lights and signals are working (you can do this well before the day of driving it.)

If everything is looking good, and you remembered to bolt down the seats and the steering wheel and the shifter, it's time to take it down the street to see how it behaves. I know the alignment still need to be done so don't put a lot of miles on it. Just get it close enough so you can drive it to wherever you're doing the alignment.

When the alignment is done, "listen" to your car and determine if something might be loose or squeaking or making a noise you were not expecting. In fact, get it to speed and then coast so the engine noise doesn't cover up lesser noise.

when you park it, and let it cool, top off all your fluids again (or oil change if that's needed.) Check all around the engine for any signs of leakage between the heads and block, the water pump and timing chain cover. Re-tigten your header bolts; you'll probably need to do this for probably a good 5 or 6 heat cycles.

That's pretty much all I can add to this mess... I mean project.
__________________
My Build Site

Last edited by 289fia_cobra; 06-14-2011 at 12:57 PM..
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy
Links monetized by VigLink