dax big block ford 429/460

[keane]

I'm building a dax with a big block ford,I would be grateful for any info/experiences of others following or having completed the same or a similar route.I am dismayed at the cost of the bulkhead/inner wings,I would like to fabricate the parts myself and although not trying to save money on the most important aspects, I do intend to be thrifty on cosmetics and other areas where I can use some common sense to assist me in getting the project completed. The engine was rescued from a 71 thunderbird languishing in a field and I am using the c6 autobox with relevant upgrades, any tips/info would be most appreciated. dave keane

[dave]

Hi Dave.
I did a 460/C6 back in 1995 ,if you haven't seen the propshaft length yet you will discover that the UJ's end up with NO TUBE between them (everything works ok it's just a shock to your system the frase "f**k me!" springs to mind) i have a photo of one but unfortunately it's not digital and i have no scanner or i would post it on this site.
I made some card templates for my bulkheads and made the pannels up out of 0.7mm pollished stainless (about £40 per 8x4 sheet)if you don't have access to a metal folder ,Machine Mart sell a 2' one that will do the job (about £50)
then carefully measured 1" spaces between rivets (no got a tig welder).I did not follow the scoloped out area where the V12 manifolds fit.
Unfortunately this was not fitted to the 460 car but the patterns i have will fit a 454 Chevy (you do need to cut some of the footwell away but only the same amount that Dax do)
If you would like some templates F.O.C. tel.07785 702005
there is a picture of an engine bay with these panels fitted on a recent car that i built at http://www.ward-engineering.co.uk (scroll down the main page and click on the blue Cobra at the bottom.
you can save a chunk of money if you go for a home made underslung exhaust system or chrome instead of stainless sidepipes (or to be more authentic black or white side pipes).Parts for these are available from Custom Chrome Ltd tel. no. 02476 387808. their exhaust manifolds come in kit form for customer cutting and welding ,if you can't do this yourself maybe you can sweet talk a friendly welder to do it for you.
I can also do good deals on brightwork ,wheels and trim.

Good luck

[wilf]

Hey Dave - that's what I call an advert - helpfull, informative, and yet pleading at the same time!!

Good for you. Wish others were as straight.

Wilf

[dave]

Push,push,push it's the only way...for a (young)man with a wife a daughter two dogs two cats two horses and a goldfish with no work and Xmas coming.
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[wilf]

Jeez - you got TWO horses??? We had just one and quite frankly I am glad the dammn thing died last month. It ate more £££'s than I can burn petrol in the cobra without even trying!!

Please never, ever let my wife see this post - she is well upset about the horse dying - me I can live without it and then some. It had no brakes.

Anyway - as I said, I like your honest ways - no side suits me.

Wilf

[TonyD]

> two dogs two cats two horses and a goldfish with no work and
>Xmas coming.

Sounds like a perfect French or Korean barbeque...

Well at least you wont go short of meat at Xmas, although all those bones in the goldfish would put me off a bit........

Cheers, Tony.
:+

[dave]

>Jeez - you got TWO horses???

Yeah , and one of the bl**dy things is so small even the wife needs roller skates when she sits on it, and she's only 5'5"

i'm only responsible for my daughter one cat and one dog (the Bully)the rest just seemed to turn up.

[robert]

Coming from an equine oriented family, I have the joys of this to come.

My way of thinking, if she can let the kids have horses, we need a bigger house with land and stabling, and barns to turn into a proper Cobra garage!!

Robert
Forum Admin

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[dave]

>Coming from an equine oriented family, I have the joys of this to
>come.
>
>My way of thinking, if she can let the kids have horses, we need a
>bigger house with land and stabling, and barns to turn into a proper
>Cobra garage!!
>
>Robert
>Forum Admin
>
>http://www.cobraclub.com/flags/UK.gif


You and me is thinking on the same lines my man.with one exeption,for me the word "garage" would become "workshop".

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[robert]

Dave

If you can, lease the horses. I know it sounds funny, but we have had some cracking horses that way.

We have recently taken one back to the owner for my mother in law. What a lovely drive, all the way to Lancashire from Northampton in a Bedford TK horse lorry. The thing would only do 45 max, and that was downhill with a following wind.

Robert
Forum Admin

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