Colorado Cobra build - Headers

[cc2Arider]

Good to see you back to posting and looking good Dan

Craig C

[cv2065]

Looking good! Nice hoist system!

[danmas]

Adventures in powder coating…IMG_1785_Original.jpgIMG_1786 Copy.jpegIMG_1787_Original.jpgIMG_1671_Original.jpg

I picked up this converted smoker and it works pretty well.IMG_1773_Original.jpg

Dan

[danmas]

I had my engine built by a shop on the east coast. When I had it built I didn't really know much about what I was doing (still don't) and the engine came with a Type II power steering reservoir. It interferes with the steering shaft. After some advice and reading Mike Bray's build thread a half dozen times I ordered a remote kit from Summit and copied Mike's set up. Check out this build post from Mike.

Earl's Performance PS0002ERL - Earl's Performance Power Steering Adapter Fittings.
Holley Power Steering Remote Reservoirs 198-212

[danmas]

Getting ready to do fuel lines, bleed brakes, and install the engine. Today I mounted the breeze battery box. Nice little kit. Learned about rivnuts a while ago and I really like them. Make sure the rivnut is really really tight when you install or it may just spin when you try to tighten the bolt that goes in the rivnut. It might possibly take you an hour to un-**** your rivnut install and you might possibly pinch the hell out of your fingers with some vice grips. Maybe.

Anyway, battery box is in and I also installed a carbon filter for the gas tank. Not ready to mount it yet but it’s ready to go.

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[Blitzboy54]

Getting ready to do fuel lines, bleed brakes, and install the engine. Today I mounted the breeze battery box. Nice little kit. Learned about rivnuts a while ago and I really like them. Make sure the rivnut is really really tight when you install or it may just spin when you try to tighten the bolt that goes in the rivnut. It might possibly take you an hour to un-**** your rivnut install and you might possibly pinch the hell out of your fingers with some vice grips. Maybe.

Anyway, battery box is in and I also installed a carbon filter for the gas tank. Not ready to mount it yet but it’s ready to go.

IMG_1810_Original.jpgIMG_1809_Original.jpg

Lol, been there pal.


Gonna be a car soon. Awesome

[danmas]

Adventures as a one armed builder… I play hockey (play is maybe too strong a word given my level of talent). In August I got blown up by a goon skating hard with his head down. Yard sale. Boom. Rotator cuff surgery. Eight weeks post surgery I am slowly tackling the build again.

First a shout out to Gordon Levy who helped me with my brakes. Sweet configuration. That said I started bleeding my brakes this week. Day one was simply figuring out my plan and get the initial fluid runs. I swear I checked every line. Except for the ones I missed. That said three little leaks and I have ok brakes. Today I went in to finish the job. Tightened a few things and did a re-bleed on all four. Funny thing about the wilwood brake nipple that takes a 1/4” wrench. With the wrench on, there is no room for a hose. Maybe because they are designed for a gravity bleed (nipple to bleed is always the top one)? Anyway, I power bled them, popped the suction off and tightened down the nipple. Bam, super tight brakes. I was pushing hard with my arm on the peddle and could only get the brake peddle down about 1/2 way. Very happy. Final check of the system and I notice a drip from my reservoir to the master cylinder. No problem, I went to tighten the outlet on the bottom of the reservoir and managed to have the wrench slip off and crack the evil compression hose fitting. Sigh. Of course I don’t have the part. So I drained the reservoir, ordered the replacement part and we will do it again early next week.
Oh yeah, all of this mostly one armed.

I also chopped the extra tab of the tkx transmission to prepare for final install.

Next week, finish the brakes and run the fuel lines. That should be pretty hard as I can’t really lift my left arm past my waist (yet).

Did I have fun today? You bet! Was it great to see my brakes come together? Yes, yes it was. I felt really great until I broke the brake line. That said, easy fix and I get to feel that feeling twice. It’s a lot of fun and I’m glad I found FFR.

Onward!

[danmas]

Three steps forward, half dozen steps back. Some days you just need to avoid the shop. I finally got the powder coating done for my fuel filter hanger and a few other parts. Started making the fuel lines. Arghhhh. Wrong parts. Again. Then I noticed my brake reservoirs were leaking. Not a fan of the plugs in the back of the reservoirs. They seep. And they are made of aluminum so tightening them down was absolutely zero joy. Should have just gone with the Tilton triple. And so I did.

Some days you make great progress. Some days you go backwards. It’s a part of the journey. Nothing really to say. Just venting.

[cv2065]

Three steps forward, half dozen steps back. Some days you just need to avoid the shop. I finally got the powder coating done for my fuel filter hanger and a few other parts. Started making the fuel lines. Arghhhh. Wrong parts. Again. Then I noticed my brake reservoirs were leaking. Not a fan of the plugs in the back of the reservoirs. They seep. And they are made of aluminum so tightening them down was absolutely zero joy. Should have just gone with the Tilton triple. And so I did.

Some days you make great progress. Some days you go backwards. It’s a part of the journey. Nothing really to say. Just venting.

I'm with you. Some days are just like that! I never had any issues with the reservoirs. I used the triple Jamar one, you just have to be mindful to not overtighten the fittings.

[egchewy79]

Three steps forward, half dozen steps back. Some days you just need to avoid the shop. I finally got the powder coating done for my fuel filter hanger and a few other parts. Started making the fuel lines. Arghhhh. Wrong parts. Again. Then I noticed my brake reservoirs were leaking. Not a fan of the plugs in the back of the reservoirs. They seep. And they are made of aluminum so tightening them down was absolutely zero joy. Should have just gone with the Tilton triple. And so I did.

Some days you make great progress. Some days you go backwards. It’s a part of the journey. Nothing really to say. Just venting.

I've build/rebuilt my cobra at least 2-3x with all the set backs. Stick with it. It'll totally be worth it at the end of the journey. One of the biggest face-palm moments was when I ripped off my front battery box while doing an oil change when the jack slipped out from under the frame while jacking it up.

[Mike.Bray]

One of the biggest face-palm moments was when I ripped off my front battery box while doing an oil change when the jack slipped out from under the frame while jacking it up.

I've always been terrified of that happening which is why I made this for my jack.

[Nigel Allen]

The 'cobra curse' strikes again.

[danmas]

I've always been terrified of that happening which is why I made this for my jack.

Any chance you would make me a couple?

[Mike.Bray]

Any chance you would make me a couple?

No but you can PM me your email address and I'll send you the step file and a source to have it 3D printed.

[danmas]

The journey continues. I'm still not able to use my shoulder much so I building a bit like I imagine a T-Rex would build. Short arms tucked to my side. Anyway, I spent about an hour today mucking with my dash to try and line up where to drill the steering shaft hole. Not 100% convinced I trust the template that Factory five sent me but its close. I am essentially lining up the dash with the top of the curved bar and making sure it is level. I haven't yet installed the glove box, I expect that is a limiting factor as well. I also mounted my custom carbon filter. Thanks to CV2065 for the idea!

CarbonFileter.jpgTemplate2.jpg

[ydousurf]

Dan, I clamped my Carbon Fiber dash to the 3/4” hoop and loosened my steering shaft and used it to find dead-center to locate the hole to drill in the dash. I didn’t want to make any errors drilling into the CF. Just passing along that idea. Anyway, thanks for the filter tip/idea that CV2065 provided. I gave him thanks as well. I dig that filter idea and added the black & silver one to my cart. Very cool, thanks to you both!

Doug

[danmas]

Dan, I clamped my Carbon Fiber dash to the 3/4” hoop and loosened my steering shaft and used it to find dead-center to locate the hole to drill in the dash. I didn’t want to make any errors drilling into the CF. Just passing along that idea. Anyway, thanks for the filter tip/idea that CV2065 provided. I gave him thanks as well. I dig that filter idea and added the black & silver one to my cart. Very cool, thanks to you both!

Doug

Exactly what I am doing. Just trying to get the placement right. Measuring like 14 times before I draw the circle. I have to go very slow on these things or I will mess it up. So, will do it a few more times and then make my cut.

Thanks Doug!

Dan

[danmas]

Great day in the shop just doing odds and ends….

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Display is customized but could look something like this:
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Finished mounting filter:
IMG_1960_Original.jpeg

Now I need to figure out wiring harness….

[danmas]

Today I wired up the Wilwood electric parking brake. I used a 12v AGM battery I have in the shop for power. Its not a huge deal, but it was a lot of fun to see something I put together actually working.

[gbranham]

That's pretty cool. I also have the Wilwood setup, but with the FFR manual park brake solution. I hate it. It's the only part of the build I'm really not happy with. I'm going to throw it all in the trash and buy the Wilwood electronic park brake soon. If I'm not mistaken it's a direct swap for the manual Wilwood park brake calipers.

Greg

[danmas]

I don't know. I never got brakes from FFR. Gordon Levy did my config. He can probably tell you. I really really like it.

[danmas]

Busy day at the shop. Slowly starting to work through the wire harness. I also did an another powder coat run. More to do. There are a ton of little parts that need to be done. As an aside, if anyone in Colorado wants to pop up and do a quick powder coat run I am happy to let you use my kit and help if you need it. Its frustrating and expensive to do a few little parts at the commercial shops and if you are not interested in building out your powder coat rig you can use mine. Just need to bring the powder or be content with what I have (Stone Black).

I mounted the fuel pressure regulator and dry fit where I want the E-Brake controller to go.

Pictures:

IMG_1992 copy.jpgIMG_1993 copy.jpgIMG_1994 copy.jpgIMG_1995 copy.jpg

Also laying out my engine harness and Terminator-X configuration.
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More to do. So much fun.

[gbranham]

While it may not matter (don't know), your fuel pressure regulator appears to be mounted upside down on the firewall.

Greg

[danmas]

<snort> yes, yes it does. There are mounting holes on both top and bottom and I was tired and wrapping up and not paying attention. Thank you!

[OB6]

While it may not matter (don't know), your fuel pressure regulator appears to be mounted upside down on the firewall.

Greg

Yes it is, good observation. It won't matter. I have mine mounted that way under the trunk, mostly for packaging and space purposes.

[danmas]

Yes it is, good observation. It won't matter. I have mine mounted that way under the trunk, mostly for packaging and space purposes.

Hilariously I apparently have two now. One is already installed on my EFI stack. <forehead smack!> I will asymptotically get done with this build!

[danmas]

So I spent the bulk of the evening learning everything I could about installing the terminator x. I understand it a lot better now I think but still a ton to learn. Turns out I have two fuel regulators, no oil pressure sending unit, no fuel pressure sensor and a coolant temperature sensor that is too far away from the harness. That said I ordered an extension. I’m also missing the 64253 MSD-ignition control system, so I got that going for me. Question for those of you in the know: I have a blaster 2 msd coil. It is supposedly a good one, but, I’m not sure how to mount it and I have heard anecdotally through a couple of folks that they fail rather regularly. Truth? If so, what should I got instead?

Thanks again all,


Dan

[Justin]

Very cool read. Thanks for sharing!!

[gbranham]

I have the Blaster 2, so I hope they aren't failure-prone. I got a coil bracket from Summit Racing, and mounted to the back of the driver's side cylinder head, in one of the unused bolt holes.

Check out my build thread for info on how I placed my oil temp and oil pressure sensors, and pics of how I mounted my coil. Might help you.

Screenshot_20241207_122922.jpg

[danmas]

I spent the morning ordering a fuel pressure sensor and an oil pressure sensor that will work with my config. Thanks for the tip on the summit bracket for the coil Greg. I will need to get an ignition system, so working on that. I’m debating an analog speedo for the dash but I may do that later.

[danmas]

Today I got the engine harness fully sorted, ran the light harness and started working on a modification to my fuse box location. I also did quite the dashboard dance. Sharing this on the off chance someone want to do a carbon fiber dash with the Holley 12.3” computer. It doesn’t really work.

IMG_2025_Original.jpgIMG_2019_Original.jpgIMG_2026_Original.jpg

I wasn’t terribly precise as I was just mocking it up. The screen will be off center due to the glove box. I like the discordant old school new school, but I also like symmetry. I want an in dash console for a backup camera, maps and perhaps music. It will just look weird if it is off center. So, now I’m looking to cut out a dash and place it. Sadly I don’t have a water jet machine (yet) but this gives me the chance to work with a fabrication shop.

Happy building folks…

Dan

[Justin]

Is the carbon dash off the build table then?

[danmas]

Is the carbon dash off the build table then?

I think so for this build. But just starting the replan…

Edit: thinking about it, I’m going to go ahead and build it out with this dash.I will get it up and running and make progress instead or marinating on perfection. If I don’t like it, I will change it. Meh. It’s part of the journey.

Dan

[danmas]

Thought I would post some of my learnings. Perhaps they are only valuable to me as my memory fades.

I have a 351 Windsor that is bored and stroked to a 427.(I kind of know what that means).
I am also using the terminator x from Holley as an ecu for my engine.
It is not required that one use an oil pressure sensor for the terminator x, but since I’m going for an anachronistic black out build (think cyber punk meets mad max) my dash is all digital. And I’m sure it shocks absolutely no one that I’m off script.

And to my learnings:
The terminator x uses the same pressure sensor for both fuel and oil. Holley Sweet! It’s just money and my wife tolerates my eccentricity and so I order 2! I’m going to replace my fuel pressure gauge on my EFI harness (cause uncle Frank (I.E. 427) tells me it is the number one cause for fire in these cars). I got them both today and the fuel pressure sensor went right in.

However…
I have a dart block on my 351w (bored and stroked doncha know).
Turns out the port on the block and on the oil pan are both 1/2” npt. The pressure sensor is an m10x1. Edit: no, no it isn’t. It’s a 1/8th npt. I ordered the right part from evil.
Sweet I say! I can just get an adapter. So I madly google forte pressure sensor adapters. Amazon. Summit. Evil. All the names! Near as I can tell no one makes a 1/2” male to m10x1 female adapter. 1/4” yes! 1/2” female to m10 male (many).

So, I have a 1/2” to 1/4” npt adapter. And then I have a 1/4” to m10x1 adapter. Should work. Will let you all know.

I’m a bit snarky tonight because I’m learning (perhaps slowly) that going off script can be expensive. It’s fun and assuming I can get this thing to run and not explode it should be awesome.

I have also learned that AN wrenches are a thing and they matter. It isn’t so much that you can’t use an adjustable wrench. Of course you can. It is that these fittings are quite soft and that when you go into beast mode to tighten down your ptfe an10 fuel line fitting you will quiet possibly screw up not only the finish but also risk damaging a fitting that quite literally helps you not go boom when you are running hot fuel on a 351 Windsor (bored and stroked and so forth). I might know a little bit about this. Not the boom part. (Not yet anyway).

The good news is that using a proper a wrench I created my first ptfe fuel line and cranked 100psi into the line and it held for an hour. So I got that going for me.

I also dieted out my main engine harness a little bit more today and I converted my terminator x throttle position sensor from something that didn’t fit my tps on my 351w (bored and stroked) to something that did fit. I think it was Greg in Kansas (hey Greg!) that suggested I order the part that fits and do a little snippy snip on my harness and put it in. It worked. I also listened to Kleiner and Frank and didn’t use my wire nuts from my house to connect it. I have proper automotive connections with heat shrink and electrical tape and heat tape.

I also ordered a metal brake to fit my 20 ton press so I can make l brackets to support my dash.
And I drilled out my redundant fuel regulator (let’s not talk about that, umkay?)

I’m going to take the rest of the week off and go sailing. Next week I will finalize battery wires, fuse box, fuel lines and ignition.

Have fun. Avoid the boom.

Dan

[gbranham]

Awesome! Happy to hear you're getting some clarity on your sensor wiring. It's a great feeling to surmount total confusion, isn't it? I know this feeling! I can tell you I spent some time in the plumbing aisle at Home Depot to find the right fitting to thread my oil pressure sender into the block, just above the oil filter. Here's a pic of mine. Happy sailing!

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[danmas]

Yes, I feel much better about things now. I wonder, after reading your thread if the sensor is really 1/8th npt? That could explain why I wasn’t able to easily find an adapter… I don’t have npt fittings in the shop and so I just assumed it was m10 because it fit on an m10 nut…

I would imagine it will leak if I have the wrong threads….

[gbranham]

Yes, I feel much better about things now. I wonder, after reading your thread if the sensor is really 1/8th npt? That could explain why I wasn’t able to easily find an adapter… I don’t have npt fittings in the shop and so I just assumed it was m10 because if fit on an m10 bolt…

I would imagine it will leak if I have the wrong threads….

I'd take your sensor to Home Depot, and find the right fitting. M10 is close to 1/8NPT, but it's not correct. The fitting I bought was the only one that the sensor fit into without any slop or undue force. It threaded in just as you'd expect. Meantime, I had purchased a 1/2NPT to 1/8NPT fitting on Amazon, and when it showed up, it also worked just as well as the HD fitting. Oddly enough, the HD fitting wasn't labeled 1/2NPT to 1/8NPT, but 1/2MPT (male NPT) or somesuch.

This guy:

Amazon.com: KOOTANS 4pcs Heavy Duty 1/2 NPT Male Thread to 1/8 NPT Female Thread Brass Reducer Hex Bushing Brass Fitting Pipe Hose Tube Adapter Convert : Industrial & Scientific

[danmas]

Hee. Of course I ordered the wrong thing. Glad I posted and thanks again. This is the right part:

EVIL ENERGY 1/2" NPT Male to 1/8" NPT Female Reducer Bushing Fitting Adapter Hex Aluminum Black

Edit: and I’m wrong… sigh.

[danmas]

Well shoot. 1/2” npt refers to inner diameter not outer. I ran to Home Depot and picked up the part.

I shortened my brake bias cable, mounted the tilton 90 degree converter and generally played around some more with my engine harness. Electronic fuel pressure sensor and oil pressure sensors are mounted. Working on mounting coil next.

Picked up a swan metal brake for my 20 ton press and ordered an air powered bottle jack.IMG_2043_Original.jpegIMG_2044_Original.jpegIMG_2045_Original.jpegIMG_2047_Original.jpg

Got interrupted while posting so came back to edit some photos. I need to adjust the balance bar on the brake master cylinders.

Anyway, onward.

Dan

[danmas]

I am getting closer to first start. I hope to be able to duplicate what my engine team did (Shout out to Jim Inglese and Fitzpatrick Motors). I also realized I never posted their video. Here it is…

https://youtube.com/shorts/6lN38GWJMmo?feature=share