RacerAl's FE 445 build thread.

[Raceral]

I will add more pictures as time permits... anyway here goes
Well, I guess it time to start a build thread... For those that don't know me, I built my first one back in 2001. I keep the car for 10 years and loved every minute of it... I sold the car about 5 years ago and thought I was over it... NOT. So here we go one more time.
This car will have a 445CI. Ford FE motor for power. Why you ask... just cause, as my grandson says. Naw.. the real reason is it just seems so right... maybe not smart.. but when you pop that hood.. is just feels soooo good. Anyway... my build will be pretty basic and simple with no frills. Just 15" wheels and simple.
Here we go...

This is the motor the day I picked it up... looks like a truck motor
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/10510335_842723089086057_1399294965_n_zpslgytt845. jpg


This is the motor after I got it "Cobra" dressed
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12248814_1138937772797919_986466673_n_zpsnguekmt2. jpg

The truck commeth
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12179791_1125819834109713_1503053983_n_zpsgvd75b1x .jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12167916_1125857424105954_972392042_n_zpsvnnvfgwq. jpg

Resting in its new home....
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12178114_1125873020771061_1663485041_n_zpssonjcv56 .jpg

Body off
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12182352_1127874863904210_1023162609_n_zps4gtdodgi .jpg

[David Hodgkins]

Al, that motor is SICK! Did you have it dyno'd?

Glad to see your thread. I'll be watching for sure! Not too many are still building with 15" wheels. What brakes and rear suspension are you using? Power steering?

:)

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12231505_1138937546131275_1170048934_n_zpsvrbgcypq .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12231505_1138937546131275_1170048934_n_zpsvrbgcypq .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12255480_1138938112797885_2092116929_o_zpsk8omlwvz .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12255480_1138938112797885_2092116929_o_zpsk8omlwvz .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12255677_1140456589312704_706800283_o_zpsdu7bugqg. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12255677_1140456589312704_706800283_o_zpsdu7bugqg. jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12270571_1142606939097669_455116762_n_zps0i50uow9. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12270571_1142606939097669_455116762_n_zps0i50uow9. jpg.html)

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12283352_1142607795764250_1347807038_n_zpsra3wqvwk .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12283352_1142607795764250_1347807038_n_zpsra3wqvwk .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12287308_1142714369086926_1065945767_o_zpsrtq3lbfs .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12287308_1142714369086926_1065945767_o_zpsrtq3lbfs .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12295010_1142642069094156_863563285_o_zps4y4t1pkt. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12295010_1142642069094156_863563285_o_zps4y4t1pkt. jpg.html)
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12299649_1145669532124743_1281677751_o_zps0qkddjct .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12299649_1145669532124743_1281677751_o_zps0qkddjct .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12305678_1145769535448076_952000842_n_zpsrbmike6h. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12305678_1145769535448076_952000842_n_zpsrbmike6h. jpg.html)

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12312429_1145741458784217_1926533832_n_zpsqkwaubun .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12312429_1145741458784217_1926533832_n_zpsqkwaubun .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12315252_1145681172123579_987776490_o_zps4tr4jweg. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12315252_1145681172123579_987776490_o_zps4tr4jweg. jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12325236_1150159818342381_791657902_n_zpsv4mhjjni. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12325236_1150159818342381_791657902_n_zpsv4mhjjni. jpg.html)


http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12336186_1150159668342396_26324281_n_zpsfihhcvv4.j pg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12336186_1150159668342396_26324281_n_zpsfihhcvv4.j pg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12343336_1150171285007901_102473384_o_zps8zsiwcnj. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12343336_1150171285007901_102473384_o_zps8zsiwcnj. jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12349513_1150160755008954_1974553306_o_zps3dwgv4j7 .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12349513_1150160755008954_1974553306_o_zps3dwgv4j7 .jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12334556_1150159465009083_556069778_o_zpspz24zkqo. jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12334556_1150159465009083_556069778_o_zpspz24zkqo. jpg.html)

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12356199_1150160015009028_1812774200_o_zpsxcotikpd .jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12356199_1150160015009028_1812774200_o_zpsxcotikpd .jpg.html)
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/12359371_1150171125007917_93262129_o_zps9eltivez.j pg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/12359371_1150171125007917_93262129_o_zps9eltivez.j pg.html)

[cgundermann]

That motor is beautiful; you are zipping along!

[David Hodgkins]

Hi Al; any updates? I'm wondering if you got that banana bracket welded to the axle?

:)

[Raceral]

No David I don't... but after I get it on the road I will take it somewhere and get someone to tack it. The old motor has 500 ft.lb tq at 3000 rpm.I don't really have much to show right now, as I have been working on dash and wiring and I am a raw rookie and am having to learn everything. Its a slow go, but I think i'm getting it with help from everyone.

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160311_133018_zpsjl6gtsug.jpg[/URL]

[David Hodgkins]

We have a roller!

Bummer. I was gonna ask for the motor.

:)

[Raceral]

Hey... keep your hopes up... in the next week or so if it doesn't go like my mind thinks it should, I may just give it to ya.

[Raceral]

Lets see... this hooks up to this and this goes into this, which inturn goes into this thing... after which then, all I will have to do is finish up.
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160311_152415_zps626pwzbo.jpg

[Raceral]

Getting ready to stuff it in.
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160409_113632_zps9glxdcbr.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160410_133043_zps3eabhfny.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160420_213925_zpsngigbzji.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160419_203953_zpsnmtjvlfz.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160420_213909_zpsxssfb1us.jpg

[carlewms]

Congrats ... Looks great and very neat!

[Raceral]

Got the radiator in tonight
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160421_201528_zpszrwq5bbs.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/20160421_201528_zpszrwq5bbs.jpg.html)

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160421_201548_zpszyg4wbwy.jpg (http://s393.photobucket.com/user/alspictures2015/media/Cobra%202015/20160421_201548_zpszyg4wbwy.jpg.html)

[Jeff Kleiner]

A thing of beauty Al :)

Sent you a PM via the other forum re: radiator.

Jeff

[WIS89]

Al-

She really looks sharp! That engine is a true beast. I hadn't seen this when I commented on another post; sorry.

Very, very nice. I bet she is going to go like a scalded dog!

Thanks for the updates.

Regards,

Steve

[6t8dart]

Nice build, good work!

Just a heads up, I noticed you made a tube to pull passenger compartment air, but the blower sucks in from both sides, see arrows...53106

[Raceral]

Well heck.. maybe just not as much engine air. I'll call it FAI... Fresh air injection. Patent pending.

[GoDadGo]

A thing of beauty Al :)

Sent you a PM via the other forum re: radiator.

Jeff

Jeff,
Your attention to detail is amazing.
Your efforts are appreciated!

Racer All,
LOOKING GOOD!

Steve

[2FAST4U]

Deleted

[Raceral]

Thanks Bill, I flipped the radiator back over... I even had it marked front, top... and still bolted it in upside down and bassackwards.

[2FAST4U]

Deleted

[Raceral]

Insulation in
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20160707_195313_zpsursrteqv.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20160707_195409_zpsu9x8378v.jpg

Also made me a throttle stop since I am using the Fortes mechanical linkage
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20160706_200049_zpsoulq5kpx.jpg

[Raceral]

Some Fortes throttle linkage pictures
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160609_205316_zpsxcqk6qsa.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160609_205505_zpsvf3qaqps.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160609_205727_zpsbu61lmar.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160609_210000_zpsotvcrc7d.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160617_145659_zpsyldzbbdt.jpg[/URL]

[2FAST4U]

Deleted

[GoDadGo]

I've been following your build and have been quite impressed with your work, especially the attention to the little details.

Keep It Up & We Can't Wait To See This Machine Finished!

Even if it's period correct and properly powered.

[Raceral]

Thank you so much...

[Raceral]

Interior finally done.. nothing fancy... just plain and simple.

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_135402_zpshvs8avqe.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_135257_zpszourwziw.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_135059_zpsrjp0hqoh.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_135049_zpsd6dvbfzc.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_135032_zpsrheobqnt.jpg

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_135014_zpsvomroh9n.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_134927_zpsub0xbvkx.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_134906_zpsggl329mi.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_134850_zpscxiwy08s.jpg

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-08/20160807_150620_zpsmsjpfjcm.jpg

[2FAST4U]

deleted

[Raceral]

I can't do what you do... man, I bet I spent 40 hours in the interior, heat crap on the floors , cutting all that mess out, making carpet fit perfect, then I had the edges done... bolting in seats, seat belts, shifter bezel, emergency brake boot... everything just takes a long time.

[rmiller64]

Nice Job on the interior Al Coming together real good

[2FAST4U]

i won't even think about doing the interior.

[ThickCobra]

Raceal,

It's always nice to see someone's progress. I have two questions regarding the mechanial throttle linkage set up. First, did you come across any instructions or template to help guide your isntallation? Second, what phase of the build would you suggest to install it? Can I assume you kinda need the engine in to do measurements? I know, three questions, but the 3rd is really part of the second.

[Raceral]

Look at everybody's pictures to kind of get it in your head how it works. Put it in before wiring. On the back side of the firewall, set the washers on top of the 2x2" frame tube and drill from the cockpit side seems to work perfect... after you mount your 2 bearing post... slide the cross rod in, until it hits the side of the footbox, that will then tell you where to drill the hole for for the rod to slide into the footbox. Make sure the wiring inside the footbox doesn't get tangled up with the lever.

[David Hodgkins]

Looking GREAT Al! Super clean build so far, and that FE is awesome.

Keep up the pace and you'll be done in no time.

:)

[ThickCobra]

Look at everybody's pictures to kind of get it in your head how it works. Put it in before wiring. On the back side of the firewall, set the washers on top of the 2x2" frame tube and drill from the cockpit side seems to work perfect... after you mount your 2 bearing post... slide the cross rod in, until it hits the side of the footbox, that will then tell you where to drill the hole for for the rod to slide into the footbox. Make sure the wiring inside the footbox doesn't get tangled up with the lever.

Al,

Thanks for the advice on the mechanical linkage and again, your build is looking great. I have a question on the dash. I plan on covering the aluminum dash today (and of course I destroyed 2 getting to this point) and really like my current layout. Trying to keep costs down, though a little late for that, I am using the foam and vinyl cover provided with the kit. Before I secure the covering, I thought I should ask whether you or anyone has needed to grim any aluminum from the dash panel top edge. I understand its important to level the dash and check fitment to the body before securing, but is there ever a need to trim the top of the dash panel before coveing.

Thanks, Jay

[AC Bill]

Good job Al..coming along great!:)

Did you remember to use some of that aluminum edge protector, where the shoulder harness's pass through the rear bulkhead? I can't tell from the pictures.
If not, it might be a good idea, especially if your not using bezels. Don't want your harness exposed to a sharp edge.

Whens the first start going to happen?

[Raceral]

Yes, Bill, that little plastic stuff in on and I will be using bezels. First start vid is somewhere , I thought I posted it.

[Raceral]

I found the first start thread
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...psiixl2xsn.mp4

[2FAST4U]

Link doesn't work

[Straversi]

Love that motor. No need to apologize for displacement.

Steve

[erlihemi]

Nice build Raceral! I was wandering around looking for an FE build and found yours first. Are there some other FE builds on this forum? I'm looking for some opinions on the aluminum FE blocks that are available. Seems like someone would be trying one in a coupe or roadster for period looks and updated performance.
Keep the pictures coming.

[Raceral]

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/1104161310b_HDR_zpsxvu1zuyk.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/383_zpsut6mlabk.jpeg

[wareaglescott]

Looking good. Exciting to see the body on. Are you doing the paint and body?

[2FAST4U]

Deleted

[WIS89]

Hey Al, that's a great looking sign there. You should be all ready for Spring when it gets here!

Have you shared a color yet? I don't remember reading it.

Looking forward to more pics!

Regards,

Steve

[Raceral]

Whitby's is doing the paint and fitting it all up. It will be solid black

[2FAST4U]

Deleted

[Raceral]

This link may work for first start. From Back in June of 2-15
http://vid393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/alspictures2015/Cobra%202015/20160522_124201_zpsiixl2xsn.mp4

[Raceral]

648316483264833

[Jeff Kleiner]

Wow! :)

Jeff