HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm very happy for you! I was stoked when you went to get it! I'm in to watch the build and in for some dang rides! I also have longed for a Shelby since I was a wee lad. I still have my Exotic car cards and have duplicates of the blue Cobra because I just loved them. I remember reading a Popular Mechanics magazine in the early 90's talking about how Shelby had 90 or 100 bodies he never sold of the 67 bodies. They were building frames and selling the cars then. I don't remember the price but I wished I could get an original then and polish the body. Too bad I didn't even have a license at that time. Haha

Great work and part research. It is going to be so fun to drive. The last time we went to the Lake of the Ozarks I kept seeing this beautiful maroon and silver Cobra driving around. One day we drove by an ice cream shop so I whipped in and was checking it out. It had 427 badges on it and a cover over the passenger seat area. I said out loud to my son, "Aww man, too bad there's no passenger seat." I was joking but the owner was eating his sundae under an awning and piped up and said there sure is. I spoke with him for a long while. It had true knock off wheels, a real 427 side oiler with dual quads, a shelby modified ford top loader 4 speed, and he took me for a ride. This was one of the 90s built bodied cars. It was a tight fit for my 6'2" self but I don't care. I'd be cramped to own and drive that thing. They are just so iconic and the lines/curves are just so dang intoxicating IMO.

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by gottattooz

One problem at a time. You'll get there.

I'm borderline jealous of your build. I have my eye on a Shelby Daytona coupe kit from factory five racing. Until I can pull the trigger on it, I'll just have to live vicariously through your progress.

-Josh

If you're a bigger guy like me, you might want to see if you can fit in it before pulling that trigger. They can be a tight squeeze. I know for sure I can't fit easily into their GT40 replica (the GTM). There was one on the showroom floor when I picked up my kit. I had thought about building one of them also until that moment. LOL

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Build a hotrod, itll be fun they say.!

Very rewarding, for all parts manufacturers and retailers!

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

I'm very happy for you! I was stoked when you went to get it! I'm in to watch the build and in for some dang rides! I also have longed for a Shelby since I was a wee lad. I still have my Exotic car cards and have duplicates of the blue Cobra because I just loved them. I remember reading a Popular Mechanics magazine in the early 90's talking about how Shelby had 90 or 100 bodies he never sold of the 67 bodies. They were building frames and selling the cars then. I don't remember the price but I wished I could get an original then and polish the body. Too bad I didn't even have a license at that time. Haha

Great work and part research. It is going to be so fun to drive. The last time we went to the Lake of the Ozarks I kept seeing this beautiful maroon and silver Cobra driving around. One day we drove by an ice cream shop so I whipped in and was checking it out. It had 427 badges on it and a cover over the passenger seat area. I said out loud to my son, "Aww man, too bad there's no passenger seat." I was joking but the owner was eating his sundae under an awning and piped up and said there sure is. I spoke with him for a long while. It had true knock off wheels, a real 427 side oiler with dual quads, a shelby modified ford top loader 4 speed, and he took me for a ride. This was one of the 90s built bodied cars. It was a tight fit for my 6'2" self but I don't care. I'd be cramped to own and drive that thing. They are just so iconic and the lines/curves are just so dang intoxicating IMO.

You're a step beyond my experience then. I've seen more than a few but haven't been on a ride. I met a guy recently to get the body buck to hold the body while I build the chassis that has completed his car. I'm sure he'd give me a ride once it warms up. His build is very similar to mine except the rear suspension. I think he ordered one of the better options, the 3 link or IRS. I'm just using the 4 link.

At least winter is finally coming to an end around here. Well not today. It's only getting into the teens today with below zero windchills. But 50ish by Sunday and most of next week. Maybe get the tractor running and start moving crap around so I can actually wrench on things.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

and he took me for a ride.

That was very nice and super cool!!!

[hgs_notes]

Ordered new mustang intake cams, Boss 302 valve springs, felpro gasket set, oil pickup tube that I'm hoping I can adapt to my original to fit the shallow pan, timing chain replacement parts. Not the valves yet. Trying to decide if I want to spend the extra money for stainless valves and waiting to hear from the machinist on his price for valves.

I know, boring so far. Just buying parts mostly. Here's a pic for attention.

[hgs_notes]

I pulled out 1 piston. The rings seem fine to me but I'm going to get a second or third opinion. There's no significant wear at the top of the bore. There is an edge at the bottom though. Posted a pic of that. I didn't measure ring gap yet. The piston skirt looked alright, minimal wear. There was a scratch in the bearing surface from a piece of grit rolling through. Not enough to worry about and not wore down.

I know I can just reassemble and send it but it's just nagging me enough that the "might-as-wells" bug is itching, which usually costs me money.

Posting a pic of my coyote piston next to a 350 sbc piston. It's almost like a motorcycle to car comparison. Now you can see why these things can rev to the moon and with 4 valves per cylinder on giant heads they can breathe and make some power.

And a shot of my winter wrapped shop from today. It's 12f with minus something windchill. One of the reasons vice grip garage is now based out of Tennessee.

[hgs_notes]

Check out this post from 12 years ago, lol

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=225

Dropped off valves, springs and seals at the machine shop. Should get them back in a week or 2. Just ordered the mid-shift conversion for the transmission and some of the electrical connectors for it (reverse, VSS, etc).

I watched a video on installing the cams and timing chains, so now I'm youtube certified and know everything. I'm just looking forward to being able to do some assembly and not just buying parts.

Pic of a superformance kit with some modifications and an amazing turquoise paint job.