Engine Assembly

Now it's time to start putting things back together

Our plan was to keep the engine work to a minimum.  Basically we are doing a "spray paint" overhaul. Our engine has about 120,000 miles, but was running great even after the car hit a telephone pole.

Here is the engine after it came out of the car.  The power steering, air conditioning compressor and air pump will be removed for installation in the Cobra. 

Engine Out 1a.jpg (92576 bytes)

Engine Out 4.jpg (26857 bytes)

The engine had some oil leaks mostly from the valve covers.  When we went to remove them the bolt were finger tight.  We had to scrub the engine quite a bit.  Gunk foaming engine cleaner works pretty well with the thick grease.  

Engine Dirty04a.jpg (73377 bytes)

Engine Dirty05a.jpg (54993 bytes)

Here are some pictures as the engine was being torn down.  These were helpful getting the engine back together. The bracket that used to hold the AC compressor will have a new pulley mounted to reroute the shorter belt.

Engine Dirty13b.jpg (52517 bytes)

Engine Dirty14a.jpg (51283 bytes)

The water pump bolts were rusted to the timing chain cover and we ended up cutting off the timing chain cover.  This resulted in aluminum "dust" getting inside the engine.  We will need to flush it very well with oil prior to starting it for the first time.

Donny working on Engine07.jpg (31546 bytes)

Prior to painting the block we masked off the valve covers, intake manifold and timing chain.  Also we stuffed the spark plug holes with tape. Engine Ready for Paintinga.jpg (44023 bytes)
After several coats of paint, the engine was ready to put back together.  We got a new water pump and are replacing all the gaskets.  Also we got some Cobra goodies: an oil filler cap and distributor cover.

Engine Assembly01a.jpg (61391 bytes)

 Engine Assembly04a.jpg (47337 bytes)
Here is the engine with the headers installed and the belt tensioning pulley. Engine Assembly05a.jpg (51159 bytes) Engine Assembly06a.jpg (60579 bytes)

Here are some problems we are having with the assembly of the engine.  The O ring for the oil filter relocator looks to be a bit too big and might not seal well.  Also the engine mount on the passenger side looks like it will hit the header when the engine moves under acceleration.  

We were eventually able to solve the problems with some help from our friends at the Cobra Forum.

 Oil Filter Relocator01a.jpg (35030 bytes) Engine Mount Closea.jpg (48571 bytes)
Here are some pictures of the completed engine before installing it in the car. Engine Assembly13a.jpg (60973 bytes) Engine Assembly21a.jpg (79478 bytes)

Check out the Cobra intake plaque!

 Engine Assembly22a.jpg (58367 bytes)

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