FirstCoastCobraClub

Exhaust system is back in place. Just need to mod a small bracket, install the O2 sensor and plugs, go get some fuel and connect the battery…

Getting close.

When I removed the carbs many moons ago, I drained them thoroughly and stored them dry. Just to be on the safe side, I opened each one up and sprayed some carb cleaner to make sure nothing was gummed up. Carbs, fuel lines and home made heat shield are now back in place. Just need to reinstall the ex...

Next I installed the new MSD Pro-Billet Distributor, PN 85786 with a steel gear already installed. Btw, MSD now stamps the steel gears with an S. I set up the mechanical advance with the black 18 degree bushing and two light silver springs. Weber IDAs like a lot of initial advance, and the light spr...

Success…bought some rubberized gasket material and made a thermostat housing gasket. Installed it without sealant and re-pressurized the system. It held pressure rock solid. Now I can move on. Incidentally, I first tried a store bought gasket, but the oval bypass hole didn’t cover the o-ring and it ...

Mani gasket seems to be good to go, no obvious leaks under pressure, but now the CSR thermostat housing is giving me fits…

Breath easy Tom, they are steel reinforced…

Okay, the mani is back in place. As expected, the water ports on the A50 gaskets are a much better fit and should definitely seal this time. I’ll let the sealant cure over night and try pressure testing again tomorrow.

My aerospace days are well behind me Tom…

Ha ha, they both have their quirks, but yeah, Ford small blocks often baffle me…

Today’s word: Exasperation It was a two-steps-back day today. Went to pressure test the cooling system and immediately saw a geyser squirting from the front left corner of the intake manifold. Tried re-torquing the stud nut at that corner, but no such luck… :think: So, drained about a gallon of cool...