The Parker Cobra Project

Updated Videos

2010-08-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed that the videos did not work. Sorry about that. They should be OK now.

Build Day Twenty Seven - Sunday, Aug 1

2010-08-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Got the body on last night. Got up early this morning and put the finishing touches on the car - Side Pipes, Wheels Trunk etc. It's not done yet, but its a drivable car. Hood is held on with duck tape and the doors have duck tape to keep them closed. Still a lot of work to do, but the goal of completing a car while Jon-Alec was here for the summer was accomplished. I learned a lot, He learned a lot. My Dad got to help a little and be here for dive day, so that was all cool. I will not be posing as much now as I work on the detail work. Maybe every other week or so, I'll keep the page updated with progress. I am targeting December or January to be completely done. Body prep paint carpet everything.

Here is a video of the first drive

First Drive on YouTube

build Day Twenty Six - Saturday, July 31

2010-08-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Engine started today. Just took a long time to get fuel up to the engine from a new tank, new filter and new lines. I ended up using a brake bleed vacuum pump to get the fuel to start flowing. then VROOM! We then spent the morning getting it "Drive Ready" and took some Go Cart rides around the block. Only ever got it to second, but it will be scary fast - I can tell already.

We spent the rest of the day putting the body on.

Here is a link to the video of the engine starting.

Engine First Start on YouTube

And here is a video of the Go Cart ride

Go Cart Ride on YouTube

Build Day Twenty Five - Friday, July 30

2010-08-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

Bought the stuff we needed yesterday, but that was about it. Did the last minute adjustments and fluid fills and got ready to start the engine. Switched on the power and everything looked good. All the gauges worked, lights worked it was all good. Pressed "Start" and only heard "Click Click Click Click". Messed with the solenoid wiring for an hour with no impact. O then realized that we gad not hooked up the engine ground wire. So, we did that. The engine would crank but not start. Gave up about 11PM.

Build Day Twenty Four - Wednesday, July 28

2010-08-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

Completed the wiring today. Need to get a battery, some gas, transmission fluid and other odds and ends to be ready to go.

Build Day Twenty Three - Tuesday, July 27

2010-08-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

More wiring. Routed all the harnesses to their respective areas and hooked up all the obvious stuff. Spent a little while figuring out what I did not know to I could do some research. Jon-Alec hooked up the radiator.

Build Day Twenty Two - Monday, July 26

2010-08-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

Began wiring. Installed the fuse box and laid out the wire. Only a couple hours.

Build Day Twenty One - Sunday, July 25

2010-07-27T06:47:00.001-07:00

Finished the glove box today. It took quite a bit of fiddling with the hinges to get it all to line up right, but it's in. Still need to add a handle to the door, but I need to find the perfect one first. I cut a piece of aluminum for the glove box floor and it will eventually all get carpeted to finish it off. The wiring also began today. The fuze box is installed, and all the harnesses are run to the correct locations. Now, we just have to hook it all up - right?.

Build Day Twenty - Saturday, July 24

2010-07-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

We finished covering the dash yesterday, so it got installed today. Also did some work on the Glove Box door, so that should go in tomorrow.

Build day Nineteen - Friday, July 23

2010-07-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

Did not have a lot of time today, so we began covering the dashboard. It was easy, and we had to wait for glue to set up between sections, so it was a pretty uneventful day.

Build Day Eighteen - Sunday, July 18

2010-07-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

Radiator and brakes. Installed the radiator and overflow tank today. The inline filler neck has not arrived yet, so we could not finish the cooling system, but the radiator is in. The missing passenger side "F" Panel arrived so we put that on. With the "F" panel in place we could finally complete the brakes. So, we did. Spent 1.5 hours bleeding the brake lines, but they work now!

Radiator Overflow Tank

Build Day Seventeen - Saturday, July 17

2010-07-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

Today was dash day. I measured and drilled for hidden dash fasteners, then used JB Weld to attach the sleeves to the dash. The sleeves go through the dash hoop and attach with screws from the other side. Once the padding and vinyl are on the sleeve heads will not be visible. We also took some time to test run the dash layout. Most of the day was spent working on the glove box door and trying to get that to work. Still a ways off on that modification. The hole in the dash looks good though!

Build Day Sixteen - Friday, July 16

2010-07-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

Between work and life, we only had a few hours to give to the car. I wanted an "Oh Shit" handle on the passenger side, but the kit does not come with one. So, I fabricated a bracket that will be behind the dash to support it. The kit also does not have a glove box; so, we cut a hole in the dash to put one in. Completing that modification should be interesting.

Build Day Fifteen - Sunday, July 11

2010-07-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

After the long day yesterday, there was not allot of motivation to get going today. Still missing the wiring harness, so the next major step will need to wait. We did not even hit the garage until 2:30, then just piddled around. We only managed to mount a few pieces of aluminum in the rear cockpit area.

Build Day Fourteen - Saturday, July 10

2010-07-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Engine is in! Milestone day. Got the engine and transmission installed. Other that dropping the engine once (No harm, other than initial panic), it all went as planned. It's all down hill from here.

More Engine Pics

2010-07-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

Video of the install is on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d2O7mdl-LQ

Build Day Thirteen - Monday, July 5

2010-07-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

Got back from the Lake about 11. Started back on the car about 12. Completed the front end and got it roughly aligned. It all seems to work. Turn the steering wheel and the wheels turn the right direction - Success! Only a minor set back. While adjusting the Toe, I buggered the treads on the driver's side outer tie rod. I was able to get everything set, but the part will need to be replaced. I'll place that order tonight.

Build Day Twelve - Friday, July 2

2010-07-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

The hubs got pressed onto the spindles no problem at the Machine Shop this week. So, those were waiting when we got back from Chicago. If I'd only had a 20 ton press, it would have been simpler!

Only had a couple hours available today, getting ready to head to the lake for the long weekend. We managed to get the steering rack mounted to the frame, but that was about it. We'll finish the front end on Monday.

Build Day Eleven - Sunday, June 28

2010-06-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

Finished the passenger side foot box today along with most of the cockpit aluminum. Other than a long day of drilling, silicone and rivets, it was uneventful. I'm looking forward to going back to Chicago this week to get a break from the car!

build Day Ten - Saturday, June 26

2010-06-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Short day, because we have to go to a friend's birthday party. No Machine shops open on the weekend, so the hubs will have to wait. Began work on the passenger foot box. We might have finished, but I broke the last drill bit.

So far: 23 drill bits broken.

I must be doing something wrong. Not enough time to get more bits and still finish, so we called it quits for the day. We'll finish the cockpit aluminum tomorrow. If all goes well, the engine goes in next weekend!

Build Day Nine - Friday, June 25

2010-06-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

Parts Arrived! Now we can get to the suspension, and it was an exercise in frustration. Nothing fit right, nuts were buggered, causing trips to Lowe's. Instructions sucked. If it were not for the build class we took in April and the FFCobra forum, we would never have gotten as far as we did. Still undone: Fitting the hubs to the front spindles. After trying every trick posted on the forum, they still will not go on.

1. Emery Paper to smooth down the spindle - Nope

2. Boil the Hub sleeve and pack the spindle in ice - Nope

3. Put the spindles in the freezer overnight and the hub sleeves in the oven for 30 minutes - Nope

4. Take the entire set up to a machinist - We'll see

Build Day Eight - Thursday, June 24

2010-06-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

No work yesterday. It was Krystina's last day in town, so we just messed around, then went to dinner and a movie. Still no arrival of new parts, so today we put in the driver's side foot box. It took allot longer and was allot harder than expected. A lot of drilling and a lot of rivets later and it was done. We left the top off for now, so we can get to the Master Cylinders later.

Build Day Seven - Tuesday, June 22

2010-06-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Got the fuel tank and fuel line in today. Maybe two hours worth of work. Took some muscle to get the tank straps to fit, but it's in now. I also kinked a fuel line while making a bend; so, that created a trip to the auto parts store. 5/16 line is a bit trickier to bend than 3/16 line. I had no issues with the brake line bends. Lesson learned.

Build Day Six - Monday, June 21

2010-06-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Had errands to run today, so it was pretty easy. When we got around to the car, we just put gear oil in the rear end and set the rear end to 2 degrees up. We then ran all the brake lines. This was the first day that everything went easy. That was a relief. Tomorrow - Fuel Tank and Fuel Lines.

Build Day Five - Sunday, June 20

2010-06-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Got the rear end end put in today. Took allot more than expected. First, I misunderstood how to put the oil in, and put in way too much. Had to empty the entire thing. Try that again tomorrow. But decided to go ahead and put the rear end in the frame. Next - a few parts, custom made by Factory Five did not fit well; so, it took some hammer and clamp assistance to get them on the axle.

Last, We got the lower control arms and the upper arm mounted to the frame, to discover that we had it installed under the Pan Hard Frame Mount, and it needed to go over it. So, another two hours to re-do that, and getting the rear end snaked over that mount was a trick. However, we got it done. One of the most valuable lessons learned in the class we took was: "Things will not fit right, and allot is left up to the builder. Figure it out". If not for that lesson, I'd have spent way too much time on the phone with Factory Five, or online trying to get answers. Instead, we just "Made it work".

Build Day Four - Friday, June 18

2010-06-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Got back from Chicago ready to get back to work on the car. My Daughter Krystina came up for the week, so she'll be giving a hand as well. The Rear end got delivered and we got to work. We had to pull the axles in order to install the rear brake hangers; so, we did that and replaced the cover with a silicone seal. We have to wait 24 hours to put oil in it; so we're done for the day. Tomorrow is water park day, so no work tomorrow.

Build Day Three - Sunday, June 13

2010-06-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Grasping for straws for something to do on the car, I decided we could assemble and install the pedal box. So, we did that (Minus the accelerator pedal, as it is on back order). We also put in the master cylinders and brake fluid reservoirs. Jon-Alec did allot of the work and learned how brakes work - In theory - he'll see once we get the brakes and lines in.

Build Day Two - Saturday, June 12 - 2010

2010-06-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

Again, with out the front and rear suspension parts, we are limited in how far we can get. Today we removed all the aluminum panels and re-installed the ones that would not be in the way for the build. Jon-Alec did some drilling and learned how to use a riveting tool. We are now done until the suspension parts arrive.

Build Day One - Friday, June 11, 2010

2010-06-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Today we began work. First order of business was to inventory everything. That went pretty well, even though it took 4 hours. Everything was accounted for except one part - A piece of engine compartment aluminum. I called Factory Five, and they are sending one. Should be here next week.

So, "Accounted For" does not mean it is here; it also means that they marked it as back order. So, Road Block #1 - The rear end is not here, nor is the lower control arms for the front suspension. My build will be delayed a bit until those arrive. Hopefully next week.

We were able to assemble the brakes and shocks, as well as install the upper ball joints into the upper control arms. We went ahead and installed the upper control arms on the frame, but thats as far as we got with the missing parts.

We'll do a little aluminum work tomorrow.

Put the Body on the Buck

2010-06-10T18:42:00.000-07:00

After taking a few hours to raise the buck, so that it would fit over the car, we removed the body from the frame. It took some juggling and some help from Marshall, the neighbor, but we got it up on the buck. It now all fits in the garage! Work starts tomorrow!

The Car Arrives! June 9 - 2010

2010-06-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

The car arrived yesterday. June 9th at 6 PM. Unfortunately I was in Chicago, and I missed the big event. However; Derrick, the driver, and Sharon made quick work of the unload. Only one snag in the whole process. I made the body buck about 2 inches too short. So, it would not fit over the car. Body buck slept outside.

Body Buck is Complete

2010-06-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

Spent a few hours Saturday building the Body Buck. Jon Alec had a chance to use some power tools, so that was cool. Once the car arrives, we'll put the body on the top of this buck. The whole thing can then roll over the top of the frame, so it all fits in the Garage.

More Engine Photos

2010-05-07T14:39:00.001-07:00

The Engine Arrives

2010-05-07T14:29:00.001-07:00

Today the engine arrived. Was not expecting it, so I did not have time to build a dolly. Travis came over and helped me get some wheels under it so we could move it around. 351W with 400 Horse Power. Should move this little 2300 pound car around nicely. Car should arrive early June. Can't wait to get started.