Shark92651's MK4 Coyote Build #9327 - Graduated!!

[shark92651]

Nice job... I've been trying to decide if I want to cut the hole in the hood or not also. I know that the performance increase w/o a turkey pan will be just about nil but wonder about water and dirt getting in even more that it does all ready. I'm thinking the only advantage to having the hole is some cool air in the engine compartment. Then I wonder, if I do not cut the hole, how hard is it going to be to keep it clean up under the hood scoop.

I guess it's a trade off either way. The air coming in would be nice for cooling, but it's definitely not in the area that would feed to the intake. 2bking came by and showed me his car last year and he didn't cut the hole in his as he wanted the extra stiffness in the hood. Kleiner told me that even with the hole water doesn't really get into the engine bay. I'm not sure if it is because of the air turbulence or what.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Kleiner told be that even with the hole water doesn't really get into the engine bay. I'm not sure if it is because of the air turbulence or what.

You get some water...and lots of bugs.

Jeff

[edwardb]

My opinion on the hood scoop hole strictly FWIW: Do you need the cooling? Probably not. Do you need it for intake air? Probably not and especially if a Coyote with the CAI up front. Does the underside of the hood stay any dryer? No. Does the underside the hood or scoop stay cleaner? No. I wipe the underside of mine down occasionally. But it's rarely dirty. All of those discussions are kind of moot because the fact is the whole bottom of the chassis/engine is open. And typically there isn't a seal between the hood and the body. Even with cushioned gasket all around. The bottom line for me? Nothing screams "Fake" like a hood scoop with no hole in the hood. Maybe it doesn't matter to you (and it doesn't matter to me either) but you'll already get enough "Is it real?" comments to not fuel the fire with obviously non-authentic choices like that. My thought is if you don't want the hole, leave the scoop off. It's a clean look that isn't bad and many like. But with the scoop, make it a real scoop with a hole in the hood. There are no issues with the hood losing strength with the hole. It's solid with or without. That's my take on it anyway.

[shark92651]

I borrowed my friend's laser level and did the best I could to run a line from the center of the oil cooler opening, across the hood, and between my roll bars. It may not be perfect but I think it's pretty good and hopefully will be OK for when the painter lays down stripes.

[shark92651]

My opinion on the hood scoop hole strictly FWIW: Do you need the cooling? Probably not. Do you need it for intake air? Probably not and especially if a Coyote with the CAI up front. Does the underside of the hood stay any dryer? No. Does the underside the hood or scoop stay cleaner? No. I wipe the underside of mine down occasionally. But it's rarely dirty. All of those discussions are kind of moot because the fact is the whole bottom of the chassis/engine is open. And typically there isn't a seal between the hood and the body. Even with cushioned gasket all around. The bottom line for me? Nothing screams "Fake" like a hood scoop with no hole in the hood. Maybe it doesn't matter to you (and it doesn't matter to me either) but you'll already get enough "Is it real?" comments to not fuel the fire with obviously non-authentic choices like that. My thought is if you don't want the hole, leave the scoop off. It's a clean look that isn't bad and many like. But with the scoop, make it a real scoop with a hole in the hood. There are no issues with the hood losing strength with the hole. It's solid with or without. That's my take on it anyway.

Thanks for the input Paul, gives me something to think about. I needed the bolt holes in place to mark the hole location anyway so I will mull this one over between now and paint. Personally I don't care too much about what other people think about the car because it's going to be fairly non-traditional anyway with my modern paint colors and engine choice. Besides, other Cobra owners can appreciate it and the haters are just jealous anyway

[edwardb]

Thanks for the input Paul, gives me something to think about. I needed the bolt holes in place to mark the hole location anyway so I will mull this one over between now and paint. Personally I don't care too much about what other people think about the car because it's going to be fairly non-traditional anyway with my modern paint colors and engine choice. Besides, other Cobra owners can appreciate it and the haters are just jealous anyway

Agree. Which is what I tried to say. I did it because that's how I wanted it and there's no downside IMO. Easy to add the cutout if you decide you want it. I recommend drilling the mounting holes first, just like you did.

[shark92651]

I've been leaving my garage door opener in one of the cup holders, but never felt comfortable with that so I came up with a way to turn it into a cheap "HomeLink" system. I took the opener apart and used my meter to determine the contacts for the switch and then soldered some wires to it. I cut a small notch in the case with my Dremel to bring the wires out and then I crimped together some small JST and spade connectors I had on hand to wire it to a small stainless pushbutton switch. I used some Velcro to secure the remote to the front of my mega fuse holder behind the dash and mounted the switch in my under dash support near the steering wheel. Yeah I know I could just buy a hub for my garage door opener and access it with an app on my phone, but that is probably in my pocket and it's real convenient to just reach under and press the button.

[shark92651]

After an extended shakedown period of over 800 miles driving in gelcoat, I have finally dropped my car off at a shop not far from me. They do a fair amount of work on Cobra replicas and custom cars in general and I got a recommendation from a member of the local Cobra Club. When I went to check them out they had a Cobra in the shop that they had repainted. I was able to drive my car there and they are going to disassemble, do all the body work, and reassemble and quoted me 2-3 months, but plan on it being closer to 3. I'm glad to finally be starting paint, but going to miss some prime spring driving weather. When I get it back it's going to be HOT in Texas.

https://www.facebook.com/grubbsmotorsports/

[Straversi]

Looks like a garage ready for a new build....

Love the garage door opener mod in previous post. Going to have to copy that one.
-Steve

[shark92651]

Looks like a garage ready for a new build....

Love the garage door opener mod in previous post. Going to have to copy that one.
-Steve

You know I do feel like I could do a better job on the next one, but I will probably have to wait at least a few years while my wife warms up to the idea

[RodneyArcher]

Congrats on getting her into paint!

[shark92651]

Well the whole Coronavirus lock down got real about the time I got my car to the body shop, which slowed things down, but I finally have some progress pics to share. The shop has been working on gapping the panels and knocking down the parting lines. They had an idea to fix the off-center license plate bump by building it up a bite on the right-hand side and moving the license plate holder over to new holes. Hopefully it will turn out nice and they can just lay the stripes across the license plate and trunk latch without any paint trickery to correct the issue. I hope it turns out well but hard to tell at this point until it is in primer.

[LOBO 302]

What is the best way to seal up gaps in the panels, like the area around the round tube in this photo?

Shark, where did you get your Clecos? what sizes? and how many did you buy? Thanks

[shark92651]

Shark, where did you get your Clecos? what sizes? and how many did you buy? Thanks

I don't remember exactly where but if you Google search you can find a lot of places selling them. I got them in a kit with a blue bag and the Cleco tool and I think it was on eBay. I bought 50 1/8" and 25 in 3/16". I only ended up using a few of the 3/16" though

[Nigel Allen]

I don't think there are any clecos left to buy.
Shark bought ALL of them looking at the photo.


Cheers,
Nigel in South Oz

[shark92651]

I don't think there are any clecos left to buy.
Shark bought ALL them looking at the photo.


Cheers,
Nigel in South Oz

There is something that is just so satisfying about plopping a Cleco in each hole, although totally unnecessary.

[shark92651]

I got another progress update from the body shop. They are planning to spray first primer today and then I plan to drive over and take a look.

[KDubU]

Moving a long nicely!

[shark92651]

Today I went over to the shop to look at my car for the first time since dropping it off. They laid down contour polyester primer and it's nice to see it all one color again. I think the gaps and fitment are looking great and I'm excited to see the final product. Because the hinges allow the hood to shift a bit side to side, they came up with a nice bracket in the center of the hood with a grommet that they mounted underneath between the two hood latch catches. They will bond a post on the underside of the hood for it to drop down into to perfectly center the hood. I think it's a great idea but I forgot to take a pic of it. I'll post a photo next time I get to take a look at it.

[TheBabyBadger]

Looks awesome man!!! Gonna be GORGEOUS!

[460.465USMC]

Great idea! Thanks, Shark92651! Thanks, Jeff Kleiner! I've already added it to my Must Do list for when I build my MK4.

Oops! Very new to Replying. I see I should have copied the quote for reference. I'm referring to the "dye" method you followed for your door check straps. Thanks!

[shark92651]

Getting closer to seeing some color now. Car is in final prime and they are going to do some color spray outs on Monday for me to look at.

[Jeff Kleiner]

So apparently they're doing it all with the body and panels on/

Jeff

[shark92651]

So apparently they're doing it all with the body and panels on/

Jeff

Yes they are, at least up to this point. Car will be painted body-on. Panels are all off now for paint.

[shark92651]

Finally we have some color! Next update should have the stripes laid down.

[460.465USMC]

Awesome, Shark92651! I'm excited for you.

[TMartinLVNV]

That looks rich. Great color choice.

[KDubU]

Nice deep red! Do you mind sharing what it is?

[shark92651]

Nice deep red! Do you mind sharing what it is?

Its Ford Ruby Red. The stripes will be Ford Magnetic, same color scheme as my truck.

[GoDadGo]

Shark,

Like Kyle, I love the color too.
Making it match your truck, well you can't go wrong there.
Congratulations on getting to the end of the road with your MK-4.

Steve

[FLPBFoot]

Its Ford Ruby Red. The stripes will be Ford Magnetic, same color scheme as my truck.

Great choice. I'm doing Ruby Red as well but going with Diamond Black with some red flake added in for the stipes.

That tri-color looks great!!

I love how it really pops in the sun.

Steve

[shark92651]

Here is another pic when they rolled it outside this morning.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Looks nice. So they're going to put the stripes on top of the clear?

Jeff

[shark92651]

Looks nice. So they're going to put the stripes on top of the clear?

Jeff

I don't know the process exactly, but he said they were gonna let it sit this weekend, and next week will "sand it flat, lay out the stripes, and then spray them". He also mentioned four more coats of clear on top of it all after stripes.

[JB in NOVA]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing the process step by step. You're going to have a beautiful car.

[shark92651]

Some more pics. Yesterday they sanded it down and laid down stripes.

[JohnK]

Very nice! Can't wait to see it completed. Love the color combo.

[shark92651]

And today they sprayed clear. I think it's looking pretty nice!










And some pics outside

[TMartinLVNV]

Looks fabulous! Ford Ruby Red is one of the colors that I really wanted when looking paint colors. It turned out great. Your shop appears to be doing a great job.

[FLPBFoot]

Looks nice?? It looks awesome!!

Steve