New member long intro

[lonnie]

Hi all
I joined the group about a week ago and I thought I should introduce myself. Names Lonnie and I
live in Cincinnati Ohio anyone close. I bought my Cobra about 4 years ago. It was built by Bill Keller in 1995 I think first titled in 1997. The guy I bought it fromwas without a Cobra for about 2 years then he got a Super Performance.
I have not driven my car much as I don't trust it. I have had to rebuild the McLoud hyd throw out bearing 3 time and be towed home twice when it went out. Mcloud tells me it must be used at least every 2 weeks but I tried that 2 years ago and it still failed in the spring. I was thinking of selling the car but you all have got my intrest back and I will have a external slave by spring. Not meaning to slam Mcloud the hyd throwout did not fail this year but I now do not trust it so I bet I only put 200 miles on it this year. My Cobra is a little different 427SC body forward roll bar and a spliter in the grill see pic
Thanks Lonnie
http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/lonnie/P000624.JPG

[Poorboy]

Hi Lonnie,
Wellcome to the mad house. There were a few built with the bar in the grill, and a few with the FIA style roll bar brace. Bill was a dealer for Unique. He moved to Florida a few years ago, and has sence passed away. A lot of the early hyd. thow out bearings gave trouble. I don't think the newer ones are as bad. The biggest cause was over extending them because of not having the adjustment correct. Butch Capps at Mid South Gear Specialists has them in both his cars and swears by them.

Happy Holidays, Don

[ericeckhoff]

Welcome aboard Lonnie!
Good looking car. What motor have you got in that beast? Two items to carry always---cell phone and your AAA plus card! Enjoy and drive. We got to 56 today so the beast had to go for a drive. More snow coming next week, so back in the garage. Adjustment is critical on the clutch pedal, too much extension and you can do damage.
Merry Christmas,
Eric

[pbrown]

I don't live in Cinci but will be there starting the 20th for two weeks over the holidays. I usually go out to Dynamic Motorsports to get my fix when I get bored.

--Patrick

[GeorgiaSnake]

Welcome Lonnie ! Now get that clutch right and drive, drive, drive. Your car is too nice to be a hanger queen.

Randy

Unique 289 FIA
Southern Automotive 396
Team III 16's
Brilliant Silver

[Brent]

Very nice looking car.

My God!.........Don't sell a car that nice over a clutch issue. Get it fixed and maybe we will see you in Gasden in May?????

Brent

[pgermond]

Welcome aboard mate! You will find more info on Unique's here than anywhere else (unless, of course, you call the Weaver's) [^]

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[Okiesnake]

Ditto on Brent's comments!

[lonnie]

Thanks for the replies. I hope to get the clutch issue resolved this winter. The car has a 351W in it. I met with Bill a few times before he moved to Florida. He told me the motor had 10 or 10.5 to 1 pistons and was making about 300 HP. Has a 750 on a torquer manifold. The wrong manifold for the street falls on it face if you floor it. I have a dual plane manifold that should keep the fuel from falling out of suspension. I was told after Bill had passed away that he used the car, as his racecar would have been 95 or 96. May be true as the car had a bent bell housing when I got it and when I asked Bill about it he said the car was high centered. That caused the first bearing failure. The only reason I have not changed manifolds is I have been thinking about putting Weber’s on it. Got stopped on that when Inglese told me I would have to replace the cam and use a 302 intake with spacers. Now that you all have rejuvenated me I may go with a Hilborn EFI.
Well I am getting windy and I still have a lot of questions, May I should start a new post on upgrading my Cobra.
Thanks Lonnie

[eliminator]

Lonnie,

I am close to you, Louisville, KY. As for the HYD. throw-out bearing, I think there are other issues. Who measured for the HTOB, did you do it? Reason I am asking, I have one and we have several guy's on the Forum plus 6 or 7 other Unique cars with them with no problems. The key is getting the right HYD. Throw-Out Bearing then installing correctly.
If I can be of any help let me know. Whatever you dedcide to do the car looks good, so get it fixed and enjoy it. You have many months to get it to where you will enjoy it. The Unique is an excellent car.

Eliminator

[dmiller]

what is a hydraulic throw out bearing? what does it do differently than standard one?

thanks

doug

[rdorman]

Welcome Lonnie

Those hydrualic throwout bearings must be set up perfect. Switch to an external if you like. If you don't work on cars Cobras can some times be intimidating.

There is a huge number of Cobras in Ohio, More than any other state. I have over 100 Ohio owners on the mailing list and I know that it is just the tip of the iceberge. Plus Ohio is host to the largest annual Cobra event in the world. Check out Club Cobra as well.

Rick

[Tony Radford]

Lonnie, it doesn't sound like your problem is irreconsilible. You've probably noticed that once you enter this brotherhood, it's tough to leave. By the way, I think you got some bum info regarding the Weber intake for the 351W. I did a fair amount of research myself in this area and intakes for your engine are certainly available. A bit pricy, but available none the less.

427SC, Torch Red / white stripes
427 Windsor Stroker from Southern Automotive
Delicious example of Beauty + Power.

[Silk]

Tony,

I don't think anyone makes an intake manifold for the 351 that will be a direct fit for Webers. Easy to get for a 289/302. With the 351, you need thick spacers on the 298/302 intake. Looks fine once it's set up, but a little more work. Here's a pic of a Unique FIA with the spacer setup.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/12577harry_2003_005.jpg

Gary
Unique FIA 351W

[Brent]

That absolutely gives me a "woody".

I will have a set next winter. I missed a set on e-bay 2 months ago for 2200.00 including the manifold. GGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brent

[Silk]

Those are 48 IDFs, which are supposed to be more streetable and much easier to set up than the original IDAs. I thought the big difference with Webers was torque, but this particular car saw a big jump in both torque and HP. Huge difference in overall performance, even with cast iron heads.:D

Gary
Unique FIA 351W

[Brent]

The IDFs are a 3 circuit carb. The IDAs only have idle and w.o.t so they have a tendency to pop or stumble at part throttle.

I think the IDFs make more sense and they are cheaper. Redline sells them for 400.00 each. If you have any interest in Webers they have a pretty cool website with exploded diagrams and rebuild kits etc.

Brent

[lonnie]

Bill Keller set up the HTOB. Firts one failed due to bent bell housing. Second one failed I think due to having the wrong o rings on the banjoe fitting the were clear and had partialy desolved. This rebuild has been good for 11/2 years but I just did not trust it this year.
Lonnie