HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit

[hgs_notes]

I put gas in it, turn the key and the pump starts so that's good. Did it several times trying to get gas to the engine. I could here it gurgling up there. No leaks.

So I tried to start it. Nothing. It just cranks but doesn't fire. Not the absolute worst situation. At least it cranks, the fuel pump runs and it's not making weird mechanical crunching noises. I sprayed some brake cleaner in to see if it was a fuel issue and still no firing. I need to let the disappointment simmer down a bit. I've got to check some voltages and pressures next for troubleshooting.

[hgs_notes]

Did a bunch more testing, didn't find my problem, so I called ford performance. The guy got to the most likely issue in seconds and said to check the pulse ring and crank trigger sensor. I thank him and start fiddling, then look in the box of coyote motor parts and see this...

[hgs_notes]

Hi, my name is HG and I am a moron. I'm not always a moron, but there are times it can not be denied. For my next trick I'll be pulling the transmission, clutch and flywheel out to put that little ring on the crank.

[hgs_notes]

Got the transmission out. Will finish disassembly tomorrow or Friday.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Hi, my name is HG and I am a moron. I'm not always a moron, but there are times it can not be denied. For my next trick I'll be pulling the transmission, clutch and flywheel out to put that little ring on the crank.

LOL!!!! Don't worry, we all do stuff like that at some point . At least it wasn't that difficult to repair.

[fatbass]

That sucks, HG. At least the odds are now in your favor of making rumbles and roars soon.

[mongocanfly]

Dang HG.. I feel your pain about the no crank issue..I'm fighting one myself at the moment...
I'm replacing my crank sensor to see if it solves my problem...
I tested my old one going by a how to on YouTube..if I did the test correctly ,then its bad..
Not sure how it went bad ..it was a running engine when I did the swap..
I sure hope the cs fixes it..dang thing cost $110 before my buddys business discount..

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Dang HG.. I feel your pain about the no crank issue..I'm fighting one myself at the moment...
I'm replacing my crank sensor to see if it solves my problem...
I tested my old one going by a how to on YouTube..if I did the test correctly ,then its bad..
Not sure how it went bad ..it was a running engine when I did the swap..
I sure hope the cs fixes it..dang thing cost $110 before my buddys business discount..

One test, if it's not too late, is to use a code reader in live mode, crank the starter and see if there's an rpm signal.

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

LOL!!!! Don't worry, we all do stuff like that at some point . At least it wasn't that difficult to repair.

Originally Posted by fatbass

That sucks, HG. At least the odds are now in your favor of making rumbles and roars soon.

Oh it's not my first time undoing several steps to fix a mistake. Won't be my last either.

The flywheel is off and there wasn't magically a new forgotten pulse ring on it. At least I didn't lose or scrap the one I had.

But I can't find the dang pilot bushing clutch plate holder thingy so I can't reassemble the clutch until tomorrow when I can borrow one from the mechanic in town.

[mongocanfly]

It didnt help HG..new sensor...hook scanner up in live..no rpm signal

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

It didnt help HG..new sensor...hook scanner up in live..no rpm signal

Did you check for reference voltage from the ECU to the sensors? 5V I think.

The clutch and flywheel (and pulse ring) are back on. Going out this morning to get the bellhousing and starter back on, then a friend is coming by to help get the tranny back in later today.

[mongocanfly]

I back pinned the signal wire from the crank sensor at the ecm...I'm getting a crank pulse signal there..
So the new crank sensor is working..I retested the old sensor and it's working also..
So there was nothing wrong with my original crank sensor..
Gonna put my ecm in a buddys truck and see ir itll crank and run.

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I back pinned the signal wire from the crank sensor at the ecm...I'm getting a crank pulse signal there..
So the new crank sensor is working..I retested the old sensor and it's working also..
So there was nothing wrong with my original crank sensor..
Gonna put my ecm in a buddys truck and see ir itll crank and run.

Good luck! It's so frustrating trying to find problems. You should see what I went through last summer on my crewcab with the LS. Turns out it was the fuel pump, but had no idea because the pump was running and it would start.

The cobra is a runner! And a driver! I need to bleed the brakes and adjust the clutch but it starts right up and drove around our driveway with no real issues. Video to follow.

[mongocanfly]

The cobra is a runner! ...COOL!!!!

[hgs_notes]

First start https://youtube.com/shorts/1A0IPjqJHm4?feature=share

First drive https://youtu.be/fuvyT3rAKiY

Second drive, took the wife for a cruise
https://youtu.be/FafDvftkwvk

[mongocanfly]

Sweet test drive!!...did you have the heater on high??!!

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Sweet test drive!!...did you have the heater on high??!!

Heater?? What's that? It was really nice out. At least 35f, light breeze, sun was shining. I had long sleeves on. I even grilled pork tenderloin for supper. It was a beautiful day!

Spring in MN
https://youtube.com/shorts/5z8ZLjSHDok?feature=share

[Rickysnickers]

Very cool, the go cart stage

[hgs_notes]

Haven't done much since getting it started and moving under its own power. I broke the clutch in switch somehow so fixed that with a couple zip ties. I have an oil leak from the pass side valve cover, which is odd since it's an o ring gasket and everything is tight. I connected the fan wire from the control pack harness to the car harness wire for the fan but didn't try it out. I'll need to let it run long enough to get to 195f to kick the fan on but I don't have any gauges hooked up yet so that's what I'll be working on next I think.

I'm not going to use the metal dash from the kit, except as a pattern and for holding gauges temporarily. I'm trying to decide on a type of wood that I think will look unique and be formable to work in the car. I kinda like this hackberry sample. Can't really do a burl wood except as a veneer. I'll probably have to make it in at least 3 pieces. IDK, it's still just a jumble of ideas in my head that isn't settling on any one thing yet.

[richard2717]

What about using the 3M di noc wood vinyl on the aluminum kit dash? Would give you several different wood look choices.

[GOPAPA]

I just seen that the tinkering I posted back on the first page of this site is no longer shown as it was through Tiny Pics which is no longer in business ..
So, here it is again with the last photo of my old place when we last lived and since sold , bought the place in 1967 for $ 5800.00 and sold it for $ 250.000 ,,I tinkered all through this transforming on my own ,,just used some help

Moved to Idaho in 2012,

[fatbass]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

First start https://youtube.com/shorts/1A0IPjqJHm4?feature=share

First drive https://youtu.be/fuvyT3rAKiY

Second drive, took the wife for a cruise
https://youtu.be/FafDvftkwvk

Awesome! Sounds like a hot rod. You're definitely 30% complete LOL.

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by richard2717

What about using the 3M di noc wood vinyl on the aluminum kit dash? Would give you several different wood look choices.

I'll check it out thanks.

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

I just seen that the tinkering I posted back on the first page of this site is no longer shown as it was through Tiny Pics which is no longer in business ..
So, here it is again with the last photo of my old place when we last lived and since sold , bought the place in 1967 for $ 5800.00 and sold it for $ 250.000 ,,I tinkered all through this transforming on my own ,,just used some help

Moved to Idaho in 2012,

Attachment 2258445

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Attachment 2258447

Hey gopapa, I think you wanted this as a new post. My exes family is in SE Idaho. I love it there.

Originally Posted by fatbass

Awesome! Sounds like a hot rod. You're definitely 30% complete LOL.

On hours, probably.

I just realized I started this thread a year ago today. Just under a year to make it go. Not bad really.

[hgs_notes]

Started working on the dash. I made a cardboard template and after 4 tries I think I have a gauge layout I like. I wanted the tach and speedometer behind the steering wheel. There are 4 other small gauges, only 1 will fit between the tach and speedometer. I tried putting all of them within that circle of the wheel but it just wasn't fitting where you could easily see all of them. So I set up 3 to the right in a way that looks good to me.

Going to try and find a 3 position toggle switch for the blinkers and put it to the left of the column, close to where a column mounted one would be. A guy makes a blinker setup based on an old VW part but over $300 is pretty pricey just to do what a $5 switch can do.

I will need to pick spots for the ignition switch, start button (I want one), headlight switch and dimmer, and horn. The wife thinks it should have tunes other than the exhaust notes, so I'm thinking just a Bluetooth setup with Amp driving the speakers. Minimal head unit. The spot in front of the shifter will make a good spot for a speaker. No idea yet where other speakers will go.

As far as getting the gauges working, I have the sending units for the engine connected, got confirmation from Dakota digital that the tremec VSS output is good enough for the speedometer, tach wire comes from the engine harness, just leaving the voltage gauge wires which are pretty straight fwd. I think I'll have those connected by next weekend.

Lots more looking up wheels and trying to figure out what will fit. I measured what it on the chassis now and measured the width of the body at the top of the wheel opening. Stock wheels are 15x7 with 4.75" bs. I have 2" more room to the inside on the rear. Really no room to the inside in front. Only looking at 8" wide in front, with the same bs, which should fit to the wheel opening really well. Lots of room in back because the body is based on the 427 cobra which has larger tires. Found an online calculator for backspacing/offset and also for comparison of wheels based on those values.

https://www.customwheeloffset.com/ti...ogle&utm_term=

Looks like I can fit an 11" wheel with the right bs. The hard part is finding a wheel style that has the right sizes for both the front and rear, most don't. I could run a 9" front and rear but that's not the look I want. So I have a couple options, one is great for fit but I kinda like the look of the other more. I've contacted the mfr about getting a rear wheel that they sell with the right offset but wrong bolt pattern (off by .7mm).

So many decisions to make.

[hgs_notes]

Started working with the wood. Need to buy another hole saw. I found a spot for the gauge controller and just used velcro to hold it. Got a little elbow for the radiator overflow. Now I just need to decide on what tank to use.