Random Questions: Oil Cooler, Wheel Vents, etc.

[patrija]

1) My Unique did not come with an oil cooler when it was built by Bruce Botti. I've purchased one from Unique and the Oil Cooler Shroud from Finish Line (at Alan's suggestion). I've looked at the various thread of how to run the lines. How does oil cooler itself mount? It looks like holes need to be drilled through the fiberglass and then it is bolted in place?

2) Can someone list the additional oil cooler parts needed: AN fittings, length of hose, etc?

3) I saw the pictures Ben (Copper01) posted in another thread of the remote oil filter mount using the block adapter. Has anyone mounted their remote filter somewhere else? I'm curious of other ideas. (I've attached photo copied from Jerry Rowley's Unique that seems to show the filter somewhere forward.)

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/patrija/cobra5.jpg

4) My builder glassed over the air vents in the front wheel wells. I want to cut these open because the footboxes are getting very hot. Can someone take a pic of these so I can get an idea of placement? Any measurements would also be great.

Thanks!

[pgermond]

Okay, I'll give this a shot to get the discussion going -

1. The oil cooler is mounted with two bolts through the bottom of the fiber glass.
2. You will need six AN fittings. I used five 90 swivels and one 180 degree #10's from Jeg's.
3. I don't have any pics of the wheel well vents as I covered them temporarily with sheet metal. I'm looking for some vents to allow air flow and prevent road dirt/water, etc.

If you send me your e-mail address I'll send information on routing and connecting the remote oil filter/cooler lines, which will also give you an approximation of length require.

Here a pic of where mine is mounted -

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/pgermond/6 Engine a.JPG

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[patrija]

Phil - Thanks, I send you an email. I had not thought about the extra road dirt coming through the vents ... something to think about before I cut new holes.

[pgermond]

You have mail.

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[patrija]

Can someone take a picture of how their oil cooler is mounted to the body? Just want to make sure before I start drilling holes.

[Brent]

I can tonight when I get home. I will also send pics of the aluminum surround.

I also have a different oil filter mount than Phil that I can send pics of.

Brent

[GeorgiaSnake]

Jason you can come see mine or I'll send you a pic. Just make sure you locate it to work with any shroud you plan to use. I made my own shroud so it didn't matter much.

Randy

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

[Brent]

Hope this helps.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/Brent/DSCN0699.JPG

http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/Brent/DSCN0700.JPG

#10 stainless button head screws, nylock nuts and washers
http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/Brent/DSCN0702.JPG

To make the oil cooler straight I had to install stainless shims between the cooler and the body.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/Brent/DSCN0703.JPG

Good luck
Brent

[WBofTN]

Hey Brent:
I think I see a STAIN on your oil cooler[:O]
I'm already deducting points in my mind[B)].
Rick:
Thats good news for you[8D].
WB

'93 Unique 427/351W/4sp

[eliminator]

In order to be Authentic you must have a few bugs in the radiator.

Rick

[rawald]

I agree with Eliminator on having the bugs in the grill for authenticity. I bet Brent will have his bugs coated with a high gloss clear coat and shined to match the Webers.

[clayfoushee]

Uh-oh, even the "newbies" are getting in on the act:D.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler, top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[patrija]

Those are exactly the pictures I was looking for, thanks!!!

I was looking at using Earl's Perform-o-flex braided lines. Has anyone used these? They seem to rate well.

[jhaynie]

I had to make a new mounting plate for my oil filter bracket this week. It was a problem slipping my filter wrench between the bottom of the filter and the crossmember. I was using the Fram Extra Duty filters. You might want to measure that clearance. I only needed an extra 1/4" or so. You may be able to mount yours higher from the start.

[brfutbrian]

jason, insulating the inside of the footboxes will do far more in cutting down on heat than opening up the holes in the fender wells. the insulation maurice sells is very thin and works really well.

[patrija]

Update - Spent some weekend and night time prepping for homecoming.

1) The wheel wells are now plainted black with the bed liner paint - this was in an old thread I started but never got around to.

2) The oil cooler and shroud from Finish Line are installed. The shroud needed a little trimming since the cobra's lower intake is not perfectly "square" and the shroud is, but it's a great shortcut to getting done. Next is the nose/radiator aluminum and adding the lines. I think I will wait on hooking up lines.

3) Plan to install remote oil filter when new engine is complete.

4) Viscoelastic pillows are in the mail for the seats and at that time will also add a channel to raise the front of the seat. I found a pillow that has two layers and will experiment with them (only $20/ea) - 4lb visco "fingers" on top with a denser foam on the bottom.

Thanks all for the help and thank God for Homecoming - finally motivating me to get all these projects done!

[patrija]

Additional question - my MSD Coil is mounted on the left fender and I want to move it to the front of the engine like most other cobra's I've seen. What bracket is required for this? How did you run the electrical to the bracket - you can see mine comes down from under the fender well?


http://www.uniquecobra.com/uploaded/patrija/Coil.jpg

[Brent]

You can either mount the coil to the top of the intake on the driver side or on the front of the cylinder head. I would make a rubber shock mount to go around the coil inside the mount or mount the bracket with a vibration dampening bushing. Two reasons, heat and vibration.

I ran all of my engine compartment wires through the transmission tunnel, down the oil pan rail on the passenger side, and up the front of the motor behind the water pump. No holes in the firewall and the wires are hardly visible.

Brent

[eliminator]

Ford Motorsports makes a chrome coil mount that will work in both locations. If a MSD Coil is mounted horizontally, it needs to be the High Vibration MSD Coil, epoxy filled, can mount in any direction. The Blaster MSD Coils are oil filled and need to mount near vertical.

Rick

[excelguru]

Jason - Please bring any info/pics you have for the foam to Homecoming. Where did you order it from? After driving from Camden to Gadsden and back, I'm sure I'll be in a prime mood to buy that padding upon my return.

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/owner-429c-1.phtml)

[patrija]

Keith - I just got these off ebay. They may not be absolutely perfect (e.g. I suspect they might be a bit too small), but at the price I'm happy to take a shot - besides, can't be any worse than it is now!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2397355937&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

[bittentoo]

Actually, that is about the correct size for your seats. Won't have to trim that much to fit. Make sure you leave the original foam in and place the pillow on top. This will give you a nice over stuffed look and your arse will thank you:D

[patrija]

Sound like I may have gotten lucky on the pillow size - that's good news!

QUESTIONS - For those of you that installed an oil cooler and ran the lines through a hole in the fiberglass rather than up and over the radiator:

1) A lot of pictures have rubber "grommets"(?) on the aluminum for the AN fittings on the cooler and then through the fiberglass - where did you get these? I have searched and can not find them.

2) I assume the lines go through the fiberglass into the wheel well and then back to the remote oil filter? I'm not planning to hook up my oil cooler for now and just have the lines for "looks", so I guess I can just zip tie the lines somewhere? Ideas for a clean install?

Lots to do before homecoming - cars been on jackstands for a week now :D

[Brent]

patrija,
I found a set of valve cover grommets that were the perfect size. I think I bought them at Autozone of all places.

Brent

[eliminator]

Got mine out of my heater/defroster kit that came with the car. You need a grommet that's 15/16" - 1" I.D.

Rick

[pgermond]

Ace Hardware has a huge selection. I found O-rings for my master cylinder caps in th plumbing section! Also, specialty shops - you can look in the yellow pags.

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[pgermond]

I just remembered I posted this link under Resources on this board last year - http://www.mcmaster.com/ McMaster-Carr is the mechanical engineers bible (so my son says) and has an on-line catalog. If they don't have it, it doesn't exist.

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)