After six weeks of swapping parts with Factory Five we finally had good windshield supports. Dad came over Sunday and helped me with the install. It took about two hours. Later, Josey helped me assemble and install the wipers. The kit included most of the parts but I had to modify a few things to get an installation I was happy with.A quick video below...
Now we need a license plate light, reverse light and insurance. Wow, its getting close!
When you close the doors they click closed and thats it; they don't rattle around or move up and down as they close. I'm really impressed at the adjustment range to get it all right. Don't get me wrong - it's not a heavy steel door like a production car - but for a fiberglass-kit-car-door it feels good!
The hood took a few hours of trimming to get it to sit square in the opening. Then I bungled the rear latch install. I know I can fix it, but, I should have followed the advice on the forum instead of the instructions in the assembly manual. Grrrrr! Sometimes you just have to make a choice and deal with the consequences.
I installed the mufflers last weekend. Took a few hours working by myself. Kym came out later to sign off on my work. She says it'll do.
Dad came over to help install the windshield. I really needed his help. Its a two person job requiring extensive patience. As we drilled the holes in the supports the chrome started peeling off. After a week of disscussions with Factory Five they have agreed to replace the supports. We should have new supports by mid June. So, for now, the windshield is back in the box.
So, whats next? I don't know, maybe the doors and hood. We'll just have to see what I feel like tomorrow.
After the family left I started working on some details. As you can see in these pictures I installed the headlights, taillights and signals. The Aston-Lemans gas cap went on as well; I love seeing that on the car, kinda makes it an official race car! After a bit of massaging to the body holes, the roll bar went on.
Well, this isn't the first go cart ride, but it's close. Ride went well and everything performed as expected. The seats aren't bolted down yet and I would slide back everytime I hit the gas making it difficult to depress the clutch! The seat needs to be a tad higher as well.
What a great feeling! After this ride Kym jumped in and we went for a 2 mile drive around the neighborhood. Kym said, "This isn't legal is it?"
"They have to catch us first", I replied! Ahh, the wind in your hair.
Started the Cobra today!! First start. Engine came right to life and sounded great. We did find a minor fuel leak - easy to fix, and an oil leak. The oil leak may take a bit of work. I used a kit to relocate the oil filter from the engine block to the frame in front of the engine. The oil is leaking at the adapter on the engine block. I was told this might be a problem so I'm disappointed but not surprised.
There are no mufflers on the car yet - they are being ceramic coated right now. So, first start was just thru the catalytic converters. Sounds pretty good.
Just yesterday I was saying I might have this thing running in a couple more weeks. Then today each little project led to the next and all-of-a-sudden it was ready to start. I couldn't believe it. I kept checking and checking but couldn't find anything else to hook up. The time had arrived. So, I grabbed my neighbor, my son and my wife and dragged 'em all out to the garage. Kym grabbed the camera on the way out (thank you.) What a moment!
I guess the next step is to finish cleaning up the wiring. Most of the "wire diet" is complete (removing unnecessary circuits) so now I just have to tidy things up. Next landmark is the first go-kart ride!
Three modifications can be seen in the above picture. First is the battery relocation. Factory Five instructions call for the battery to sit on the trunk floor (taking up valuable space.) I built a box to "hang" the battery from the trunk floor. Later, a lid will cover the battery compartment.
This view is from the front looking back. We see the backside of the remote battery terminals. The homemade battery box can be seen a little better.
And, finally, with the floors sitting (not fastened yet) in place. This gives a better idea what the finished trunk will look like.
I also started work on the wiring. First step is to install the fuse box. Its located above the drivers left knee, above the clutch pedal. Pretty much everything goes out from this point. Some of those wires, like the pink one with masking tape, aren't going to used initially. That pink one was for the power windows on the Mustang. Never know when I might need power for a circuit added later.
Above, the engine is starting to come together. You can see the accessories on the front of the engine have been installed along with the intake manifold. I installed the accelerator cable and clutch cables this week. Hopefully first start will be 1st week of March.
Here you can see I bent the chrome fuel lines so they will go on top of the exhaust instead of behind it like on the Mustang. You can also see the freshly painted catalytic converter. I used VHT white primer then Rustoleum BBQ Grill flat black on the cats. We'll see if it holds up.
I'm trying to mock up the exhaust system. I will try to paint the mufflers before the first start - just seeing what it will look like here - where will the mount bolts go.
It took Kym and I about 30 minutes to put the engine/transmission assembly into the frame. Actually one of the easiest jobs so far. Having a steel frame garage came in handy. We rigged up a chain winch to the ceiling joists and cranked away. The car easily rolled up under the engine then the engine settled right into it's mount. Wow! 
