81 Cobra progress update

[black1980fiveoh]

So the interior is cleaned up and I've done half the car with the clay bar. I've never seen dirt and grim soaked into paint before. Good thing I plan on painting it.

-the locking gas cap with no key has been removed
-the passenger side door hinge kit has been installed and works great
-the rad has been removed: I sure hope that was long life antifreeze because it came out red!
-the belt tensioner was completly seized, I managed to break the bolt loose and remove it
-I have replaced the plugs
-I put a ratched on the motor and it spins! (maybe too easy)
-I'm in the process of replacing all the bolt on the lower air dam and some on the upper nose cone

Next to do:
-oil change
-hook up a battery and pray for no smoke or fire
-compression test
-install replacement ingition switch when it get here
-test rad/ alternator/starter
-remove fuel tank

Next to order:
-door/hatch lock set
-belt tensioner


My goal is to start this car this winter. This is such a big project but it will be so worth it: this car will turn heads.

[02Z06]

Glad to hear about the progess, what a cool car!

[429bigblock]

sweet deal, thats a wicked cobra, keep up the good work on it and keep posting pics of it for us!

[Hissing Cobra]

Cool! Let us know how it progresses. I hope you don't get a fire. Keep an extinguisher handy!

[GT5.0]

keep up on the progress, i may have a spare tensioner laying around if your interested

[black1980fiveoh]

So...
- the ignition has been replaced
- the air dam mounting bolts have been fixed & ready to go back on

How the heck do you replace the hatch lock? Do I need to drill out that riveted piece that is on the underside of the hatch?

I also cleaned up the shop, I think I found all my tools except the door panel removal tool. Door locks will need to wait a bit longer.

[Hissing Cobra]

Nice progress. To change the lock cylinder on the hatch, you do have to drill out that rivet and pull the metal clip out. I used a small headed sheet metal screw to replace the rivet when I reinstalled mine after the hatch got painted.

[black1980fiveoh]

Thanks, I thought I would need to drill out that rivet.

[GT5.0]

oh ya, i still have the belt tensioner if you need it. I can bring it down in feb for the spanish banks meet

[black1980fiveoh]

oh ya, i still have the belt tensioner if you need it. I can bring it down in feb for the spanish banks meet

Thanks, I should be there assuming the weather improves.

[black1980fiveoh]

So I just did the compression test, first off no smoke or fire when I hooked up the battery! The low fuel light came on and the clock showed 000. The compression test showed 150 psi or a little above across all eight except #1 was at about 165 psi. I think that is pretty good so now I'll drop the fuel tank and work towards a start up. YEAH!

[Hissing Cobra]

Keep on going! I wish I was there to accompany you on the maiden voyage.

[black1980fiveoh]

The maiden voyage will be the cobra leaving the garage under its own power, turning around, then returning to the garage with the nose pointing in. When the tow truck delived it he put it in tail first which make it harder to work on.

[429bigblock]

great to hear the compression test turned out ok. I'm sure you'll have it running in no time, keep up the good work!

[black1980fiveoh]

Ok so for the heck of it, I changed the oil. Wow never had water pour out first! I replaced the wires and a few other pieces that I had taken off. Threw some gas down the spout and crossed my fingers and turned it over...... and turned it over...... and turned it over. As I expected: no spark. I have posted a Hi-6 ignition question in the race section. I knew there was a wiring problem but kinda hoped it might fire up for a second. On the bright side the starter sounds strong.