Mike in Texas FFR Roadster Build - The finish line is in sight!

[Mike.Bray]

Didn't do a lot today, other things got in the way. My wife helped button up the Thermotec and carpet in the DS footbox, she's a lot more flexible than I am! I have a cool picture of her contorted in the car but it's not very flattering and I've been threatened about it.

Added safety wire to the knockoffs on the pin drive wheels.



Buttoned up the final little details under the car and got it back on the ground.

[Mike.Bray]

We finally got a day of sunshine here in Texas so I was able to pull Project Cobra out for a few quick pictures.

[Mike.Bray]

And a few more pictures from today.

[Mike.Bray]

Working on the registration process. A few little things to button up and I'm going to call it complete other than driving.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Looking great Mike

Jeff

[sdeal0527]

That is is the Bluest Blue I have ever seen it is very cool! Car looks awesome Mike !

Steve

[cv2065]

Great job Mike. Happy to see you roll across the finish line!

[Mike.Bray]

That is is the Bluest Blue I have ever seen it is very cool! Car looks awesome Mike !

Steve

Thanks, that's what we were shooting for! When parked in the middle of 50 blue cars we wanted to be the BLUE one!

[Mike.Bray]

Tested the daytime running lights, turn signals, flashers, headlights, and high beams today. All good!

[TXeverydayDad]

Looking very good Mike!

[Mike.Bray]

Today I had a chance to run down to Summit and pick up some Power Grip hose clamps and get rid of those ugly worm clamps. I like the way these look, now let's see how they hold up under pressure.

[Mike.Bray]

Tested for leaks this morning after installing the Power Grip hose clamps, and just wanted to hear the rumble lol. Waiting on the weather to clear some so can go for more test drives.

[buttsjim]

My goodness, that rumble sounds SO good!

BTW, where did you find the Carroll Shelby decal? I got some, but they turned out to be stickers and don't look good. I'm looking for one just like yours.

[Railroad]

All very nice, including the engine rumble. I would throw a hand full of hose clamps in my travel bag, just in case. I cannot get comfortable with the heat to shrink hose clamps.

[OB6]

All very nice, including the engine rumble. I would throw a hand full of hose clamps in my travel bag, just in case. I cannot get comfortable with the heat to shrink hose clamps.

The powergrip clamps are really not much different than PEX-A fittings in the plumbing world, where pressures are much higher. Biggest difference is the powegrips rely on heat to shrink them, while the PEX-A fittings rely on memory to shrink after being expanded. I love those things, but I'll admit I enjoy sweating copper.

s-l1200.jpg

[Mike.Bray]

My goodness, that rumble sounds SO good!

BTW, where did you find the Carroll Shelby decal? I got some, but they turned out to be stickers and don't look good. I'm looking for one just like yours.

I don't remember! I thought Amazon but they're not in my order history so there's no telling where I found them.

Update, my wife says I probably bought them from Classic Recreations. I'll have a look the next time I'm up there.

[Mike.Bray]

When I started my MKIV project a couple of years ago I dug out my ancient Craftsman floor jack and discovered that it no longer functioned. It was probably just low on hydraulic oil but I saw this as an opportunity to replace the very heavy steel jack with a new low profile lightweight aluminum model. Since it's not a tool I will be using everyday and the Cobra is relatively lightweight I opted for a 2 ton aluminum jack from Harbor Freight. I like it, it works great but the pad is relatively small and when jacking against the 4" round frame rail it's not very secure.

I made this new jack pad to contour to the 4" frame rail and be more secure when jacking the car up.





It's only a little thing but it sure makes me sleep better at night lol

[cc2Arider]

I like this idea Mike.

I'd like to make something similar one day, but I'd account for the thickness of a rubber pad (maybe 1/8") and then reduce the "wrap-around" height of the metal by about 1/2"...

Did you make it with powder metal on a 3D printer?

Craig C

[Mike.Bray]

I like this idea Mike.

I'd like to make something similar one day, but I'd account for the thickness of a rubber pad (maybe 1/8") and then reduce the "wrap-around" height of the metal by about 1/2"...

Did you make it with powder metal on a 3D printer?

Craig C

Thanks Craig. Yes, I modeled it and had it 3D printed from aluminum.

I did account for an 1/8" rubber pad and I have the rubber, just haven't put it in yet. The wife has the garage full of cabinets and doors painting. Did give me a chance to try out the car cover she bought me for Christmas.

[Mike.Bray]

Well, faster than a speeding turtle I'm approaching the end of this project. I'm in the process of registration now so fingers crossed it will be titled and street legal very soon. If anyone is interested I thought I would take this opportunity to recap my build in the next few posts.

Part 1, Factory Five Order.

50013 MK IV Complete Kit

16613 Powdercoated Chassis

13242 Pin-Drive Front Suspension

12508 Pin-Drive Lower Front Arms

14758 3-Link Rear Suspension

16799 Power Steering Components

13083 302-351 Engine/Trans Mount Kit

16794 351W Stainless Headers

14932 Stainless Side Exhaust

16350 31 Spline 11.25" Driveshaft

34158 Hydraulic Clutch Master Cylinder Kit

12070 Body Cut-Outs

12049 Wind Wings

12042 Sun Visors

12453 Battery Cut-Off Switch

15154 Mk IV Logo Floormats

16004 FFR GPS Gauge Set

16213 Black Leather Seats

12469 Brake Duct Wire Mesh

16590 Trunk Gas Strut Kit

[Mike.Bray]

Part 2, Forte

Moser 8.8 Fox Narrowed Rear End (for pin-drive)

Wilwood 140-7146-DR Brakes

Tremec TKX TCET18084 5 Speed Transmission

Seat Heaters

In-tank Fuel Pump

Quick Release Windshield Brackets

[Mike.Bray]

Part 3, Engine


SVO 351W Block, 9.5" deck, bored 0.030 over

SCAT Forged Rotating Assembly, Stroked to 393CI, 10:1 CR, Internally Balanced

Aluminum Heads, 210CC Intake Runners, 62CC Chambers, 2.02" Intake & 1.60" Exhaust

Comp 4816-8 Pushrod Guideplates

ARP 134-7104 Rocker Arm Studs

Comp 2618 Valve Springs

Comp 35-775-8 Hyd Roller Cam

Comp 8931-16 Hyd Lifters

Comp 7957-16 Pushrods

Comp 1431-16 Roller Rockers

Comp 2138 Timing Chain

Comp 4705-16 Valve Spring Locators

Comp 795-16 Steel Retainers

Comp 614-16 Valve Locks

Comp 503-16 Valve Seals

PCE300.1076.01 Aluminum Oil Pan

Melling M-83 Oil Pump

Summit 5-60-04-201 Timing Cover

ATI 918949 Timing Pointer

Flowkooler 1653 Water Pump

ATI 918920 Harmonic Balancer

Ram 1529LW Flywheel

Ram 88794HDT Clutch Kit

Tremec TCEP8639 Bellhousing

Ford 401-1106-A Spacer Plate

Tilton 60-6102 Hyd Throwout Bearing

Borla 200074 50mm EFI Throttle Body Induction

FAST 303000 XFI Sportsman ECU

CSR Performance 9111C-CSR Billet Thermostat Housing

Holley 565-201 Duel Sync Distributor

MSD 82073 Ignition Coil

Holley 6415 MSD 6EFI Ignition

NGK BKR6E Spark Plugs

Ford Performance M-12259-M302 Plug Wires

Ford Performance 302-138 Valve Covers

Moroso 93060 Valve Cover Gaskets

Cometic C5511-030 Head Gaskets

Remflex 3083 Exhaust Gaskets

Powermaster 9503 Starter

March P560 One-Wire Alternator

CVF GM Type II Power Steering Pump

All ARP Studs & Bolts

[Mike.Bray]

Part 4, Breeze. Spending the big money now.


21101 Steering Rack Travel Limit

35048 Gas Pedal Kit (Russ Thompson)

35303 Billet Side View Mirrors

35376 Remote Brake Balance Bar Adjuster

35438 Roll Bar Kit

70031 Radiator Cowl Cover Kit

70551 Lower Radiator Support Kit

70558 Hinged Radiator Mounting Kit

70561 Battery Mount Kit

70602 Seat Mounts

70634 Offset Rack Mounting Kit

70648 Vent Check Valve

70730 Rod End Lower Control Arms

70752 Cubby Kit

70772 Radiator Fan Shroud

70783 Lower Radiator Hose Kit

70785 Lower Radiator Hose Bracket

[Mike.Bray]

Part 5, Brakes, Wheels, Tires, and Small Stuff


Vintage Wheels Pin-Drive Wheels, 17x9 & 17x11

NT555 G2 275/40 R17 Nitto Tires

NT555 G2 315/35 R17 Nitto Tires

140-9107-DR Wilwood Brakes

Hawk Brake Pads

TIL-76-750 Tilton Master Cylinder (Front Brakes)

TIL-76-812 Tilton Master Cylinder (Clutch)

TIL-76-1000 Tilton Master Cylinder (Rear Brakes)

Triple XXXL Scotts Remote Brake Reservoir

PBS-I-0 Guard Dawg Keyless Start

RT Turn Signal Kit

E-Stopp Electric Emergency Brake

WIL-330-9371 Wilwood E Brake Cables

FFMetal Forward Firewall Kit

FFMetal Transmission Tunnel Top

SB7HLG201D-CHR Lumen 7" LED Headlights w/Halos

105390 Flex-A-Lite Electric Fan

Cobra Herb Door Panels

Finish Line Side Vent Louvers

Boatload of stainless steel tubing & fittings for brake & fuel lines

[JMD]

Congrats on your completion! Great summary at the end, I may have to borrow that format when I get to that point. Just don't go back and add up how much it all cost...I'm certainly not going to for mine.

Happy driving!

[Mike.Bray]

Just don't go back and add up how much it all cost...I'm certainly not going to for mine.!

Oh I know exactly how much I've spent, I have a spreadsheet with everything listed on it. Actually, I have two spreadsheets. One with the actual costs and a second one with "adjusted" costs that I show my wife.