Downsizing the Fleet

[robert campbell]

Well the son is 18 and although we already have 400 credit hours for college purchased, we have decided to let go of our 57 Ford 2 Door “Del Rio” Ranch Wagon. A beautiful survivor from the 50’s. About 77k on odometer. A very nice man from San Jose contacted a local restoration shop looking for a 57 wagon. Of course, then he wanted a 2 door wagon. Then, he wanted a Del Rio. Nearly the rarest of all of the wagons. Short story long is we made a deal and it leaves on 22 May in an enclosed trailer to its new home. Gary Gamet is his name and he has an awesome 51 Ford Woodie and a 53 Ford convertible. He will do this car right!! With my 3 toys I have been stretched very thin. Down to 2 soon. My wife and I’s primary love!!! Mustangs!!!

Not all the news is bad!! Gary was not interested in the 428 Cobra Jet, the C6, or the Gear Vendors overdrive in the wagon!!! So out they come. Onto the shop floor…. Hmmmmm…. What to do????

I got it!!! A Cobra Jet, Gold Nugget, whatever it is I have!!! Bigger is better you know. Already have the front discs. A nine inch 4 pinion 3.91 Trac Loc rear end is poised for installation. Superior axles!! Already have a big block radiator.

I am looking at some long tube tri Y headers from Stan Johnson. Anyone else have a long tube header on a big block in their GT/CS. I have used Hookers before, but they hang low. I want the exhaust high and tight.

By the way I have an extra Mexican 302 with Crower Sportsman rods, Aries forged pistons, Edelbrock performer RPM heads and intake, Crane retrofit Hydraulic roller cam, Holly Street Avenger 670 CFM. Set of JBA shorty headers and a perfect C4 auto. Pertronix ignition and cobra aluminum valve covers. About 20k miles on it. All receipts. Immaculately maintained. Very fast motor, but never abused. This motor is screaming for a Paxton or Weiand blower!! 10 to 1 compression. Anyone interested?? You can run and drive it, and my car right now. Soon it will be on the floor…. Got a project that needs running gear???

Rob

 

[HappyHour]

You lost me at Gary not interested in the 428 Cobra Jet.

So...the Cobra jet isnt a new addition right? And thanks for teasing half the forum with the lessen the fleet..great vintage car your letting go but we thought we had CS running free. :wink:

 

[robert campbell]

Robert,
.030 over 11.0 to 1 forged pistoned, Lunati cammed, dove roller valve trained, 427 "Sidewinder" intaked, killer 69 Cobra Jet. MSD, Mallory, Holley 770 Street Avenger. Cobra "T"pan.

Been in my hands since 1977. Numbers match engine and C6 from a formal roof 1969 Cobra Jet Fairlane. Checked with the Fairlane club of America and the VIN is not in their data base. My gut says the car was crushed. Don't know.

I would have let it go, but he did not want it. By the way, I will be looking for the brackets for the power steering pump for the 428. And big block frame plates for the motor mounts.

Just got off the phone with Randalls Rack. Power rack and pinon baby!!! Gotta do it!!

Rob

 

[joedls]

You're having entirely too much fun over there in the PNW. :grin:

 

[HappyHour]

Man I had to throw water all over my face...thats like porn in the afternoon. All my coworkers are looking at me weird. :scared:

 

[John McGilvary]

Rob,

Gold Nugget CJ, you will love it and changing the plugs will be a challange at first. Good for you.

John

 

[68gt390]

Rob;
Nothing like a 428 CJ in GT/CS. Love it!!!!!! Like John mentioned changing the plugs will be a challenge at first but, you'll get used to it. I'm running long tube Hooker Super comp headers on mine and have a slight problem with the power steering set-up every once in awhile (only at very low speed) seems to hang up on the power cylinder. To make changing the plugs on mine easier, I removed my power brake booster and went to manuel disc brakes. Have to put a little more leg into it but, makes changing the back plugs easier.

Don

 

[robert campbell]

I had a 68 Shelby GT-500 KR in the 70's. Sold in for $4k to buy my first house. Dumb guy, dumb guy, dumb guy....... I would remove the export brace and the pentroof valve covers to change the plugs. I have an old Champion Spark Plug Company 3/8 drive ratchet that has a flex joint in the handle right at the ratchet head. Makes changing plugs a breeze when compared to other ratchets. Also a 1 inch extension that works great for just that bit of clearance you need sometimes.

Also had a 428 Cobra Jet in the 67 Fastback in my gallery, in the early 80's. Been down the spark plug path. It had Hooker Super comps on it. What a pain to install at home. Not so bad if you have a hoist. Had to completely remove all motor mounts and brackets and set the engine on blocks of wood to install the headers. The GT-390/428 Cobra Jet bolt pattern makes for lots of fun to install the bolts. A true horror story, but got it done.

Looking at the Ford Powertrain Applications Tri "Y,s" for this application. Would love the full long tubes, but I have seen few I like. Crites Restorations has a set and we have it on my brother-in-laws 67 Fastback with a 428 also. They hang lower than the Hookers, but easy to install. One tube at a time and then slided the collector on. Hang to low!!

Randalls Rack is checking to see if my Cobra "T" pan will interfer with their rack conversion.

I am so jazzed!!! Anyone need a hot 302 for a project?

Rob