1979 cobra turbo

[neald]

Hello everybody, I recently purchased a 79' turbo cobra and have been trying to do some research on it (mostly on this forum) but still have a couple of unanswered questions.

My questions are:
1) are the engine internals forged or cast
2) what are the sr4 4-speed gear ratios

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thankyou.:)

[tman1257]

Pretty sure the 79 had forged internals and have no idea on the gear ratios.

[neald]

Thanks TMAN

[WHTLTHR79RS]

The 79 turbo 2.3 had forged pistons, the wrist pin offset is decreased, and the second ringland width and bore clearance is increased. The top ring is ductile iron and the lower compression ring is chromed. Oil capacity is +1/2 quart, main and rod bearings have increased load capacity, and valves and headgasket are revised to handle higher temps and loads, and oil pump has stiffer relief spring.
Neil

[neald]

I guess that clears that up. There was some info on cobra regitry site(http://www.earlycobra.com/History.htm) that wasnt very clear, made it sound as if they werent forged until turbo came fuel injected in 1983.

[anthonydalrymple]

Congrat's on the purchase! Nice project to enjoy for many years..... Not everyone owns one of them... P.S. Need pic's asap!;)

[neald]

sorry, here's some pics, took these before i started body work. now its on a winter break.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/421/p8230237tc4.th.jpg (http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p8230237tc4.jpg)
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/967/p8230238uw9.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p8230238uw9.jpg)
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8067/p8230233cr5.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p8230233cr5.jpg)
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8694/p8230236oh8.th.jpg (http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p8230236oh8.jpg)

[anthonydalrymple]

Sweet!
Okay guys, I think he's okay to let in now....;)

[Sellis1012]

Welcome! You have come to the right place. You realize of course that white Cobras are the fastest.

[neald]

Welcome! You have come to the right place. You realize of course that white Cobras are the fastest.

Hey Sellis how is your car optioned, mine is a/c delete

[Sellis1012]

Hey Sellis how is your car optioned, mine is a/c delete

I have A/C, am/fm/tapedeck stereo, console delete, all vinyl seating and no sunroof. Turbo as well but with California emissions. Weird bit about my stereo. It came with only dash speakers. There were no holes in the rear quarters for speakers. Unfortunately, I had to replace the rear quarters due to extreme dry rot and could only find the ones with holes. So I have dummy speakers in the back. What color is your interior?

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t115/Sellis1012/1-1.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t115/Sellis1012/Cobra025.jpg

[Hissing Cobra]

I still love your Cobra! The interior is soooooo nice.

[WHTLTHR79RS]

Ya, Pete...White interiors ROCK !!


http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570016_large.jpg



http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570018_large.jpg


Neil

[Hissing Cobra]

OMG! Yes they do! This coming Friday, I'm going to look at a 1993 Triple White Convertible. It's one of those Special Edition Mustangs that were made in limited supply. It's White with a White convertible top and a White/Black interior. Whether or not I buy it depends upon the condition of the whole car. If it's nice, I may pull the trigger. If not, I'll keep on looking. Sorry to steer this thread off course. Carry it back please!

[nitrousis4girls]

Very nice! I love the early cobras! Great find, it looks awesome.

FYI - The pistons are forged but they are still not as robust as the EFI pistons. They tend to break around the ringland. They had a 9:1 compression ratio as opposed to the EFI's 8:1. Ford was experimenting with higher compression and lower boost to reduce turbo lag and give the motor some pep around town. My capri is sitting right now missing part of piston #3 due to detonation.

[neald]

Thanks. Its great to be part of this site because most people around me say this car is not worth the trouble. So thanks to everyone here I have new motivation for my project.

[neald]

Sellis, my Interior is:
red vinyl seats
red door panels
red console
red carpet
no sunroof
no a/c
radio long gone

[neald]

sorry I dont have interior pics yet, interior is apart, need front seats, rear seat perfect

[Sellis1012]

Neald,
Don't sweat the pics. We already have a lynch mob assembled. My first Cobra was all red including the interior. Those seats were different than what are in my white Cobra. I wonder, do your front seats have headrests?

Neil with the perfect white leather seats, every time I see those I want to cry.

Pete,
Buy it!!!!! I prefer triple black over triple white for those years myself. Although a triple white would look aweful nice next to my triple black!

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t115/Sellis1012/vert1.jpg

[neald]

I dont have any front seats for it. I wish I did

[Hissing Cobra]

Thanks. Its great to be part of this site because most people around me say this car is not worth the trouble.

Not worth the trouble? That's one of the reasons as to why the Cobras are hard to find in good condition. Over the years, everyone thought that they were worthless and they suffered the fate of time. Now their hard to find in good condition and because of that, they're now considered unique. Though not really rare, I can almost guarantee that you'll be hard pressed to find another one at a show.

I live in New England and have gone to shows all over the place and my Cobra is the only '79 that I've seen in person. I've seen an '80 and an '81 but both of those were basically race cars and the bodies and interiors needed a lot of work. Hang onto it and enjoy it!

[falcothehippieslayer]

"Most people" also include a lot of Chevy guys that think all Mustangs arent worth the trouble. The old Cobras are way cool and reek of 80's awesomeness. I personally like the unique color combos the early Cobras came in. Welcome to the site and have fun with your new snake!

[Sellis1012]

Not worth the trouble? That's one of the reasons as to why the Cobras are hard to find in good condition. Over the years, everyone thought that they were worthless and they suffered the fate of time. Now their hard to find in good condition and because of that, they're now considered unique. Though not really rare, I can almost guarantee that you'll be hard pressed to find another one at a show.

I live in New England and have gone to shows all over the place and my Cobra is the only '79 that I've seen in person. I've seen an '80 and an '81 but both of those were basically race cars and the bodies and interiors needed a lot of work. Hang onto it and enjoy it!

Pete,

I think we can apply the word rare to the Cobra. I went to the fortieth anniversary celebration. Thousands of Mustangs. Not one 79-81 Cobra. Not one. Not in the show, not in the spectator parking lot. My estimate puts 79 Cobras in original, road worthy condition at less than a hundred. Rare doesn't always equate with valuable, but they are rare none the less.

[Sellis1012]

Neal,

That's ok. How are the back seat ribbed? Are they encased or do the ribs run the length of the seats?

[pharrison]

Steve,
I couldn't agree with you more, since i have started researching parts for these RARE cars, I can't seem to find any info or cobra's that are in good condition besided the few on this site. That make me want to keep my ride!

[Sellis1012]

Steve,
I couldn't agree with you more, since i have started researching parts for these RARE cars, I can't seem to find any info or cobra's that are in good condition besided the few on this site. That make me want to keep my ride!

You know, when the fiftieth anniversary celebration is thrown, we Cobra owners really need to show up!

[pharrison]

I would like to go there!

[neald]

You know, when the fiftieth anniversary celebration is thrown, we Cobra owners really need to show up!

I totaly agree! Maybe by then my car will be done. Bty my rear seat is different than yours, my stitching runs continuous from top to bottom.

[Hissing Cobra]

I'd love to - if I have enough money to go that far with the car. I'd drive it and not trailer it there, wherever it may be.

[Sellis1012]

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570018_large.jpg


Neil[/QUOTE]


Neil,

What are those things on the side of your console in the bottom right corner of this pic?

[WHTLTHR79RS]

They would be knobs.
there are 6 of them
they make things inside the passenger compartment sound good.
I entered 3 car stereo showdowns in the early 80's, and got into the semi finals each time, with NO amps and NO equilizers...just a good design pumping out 116 DB on the stereo deck alone, with a total of 10 drivers.
I built the entire X-over my self, ( I used to worship Speakerlab ) and the knobs are the "L-Pads" to control the mid-bass, midrange, and tweets. The black grill at the rear seat is a 6.5 inch mid base crossed over at 350 hz to 1500 hz.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570065_large.jpg


http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570052_large.jpg


http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570053_large.jpg


http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/3211/3141/20526570003_large.jpg


In those days, you could get away from the phone ringing and interrupting your good tunes....but not today.

BTW, I have a set of Speakerlab "K-Horns" in my auto shop...heh, heh,

Neil