FAQ Installation Notes for Cobra Kit Engine Installations
1. Heater Hookup
There is a Bypass Cap on the top side of the Water Pump. Remove this cap to run your hose off this. Use one of the 3/8 pipe threads that’s used for water off the Intake Manifold behind the thermostat housing.
2. Oil Pressure Switch
This is located in between the oil filter and Fuel pump. Use a ¼ inch Pipe Thread Extension Approx. 4 inches in length. This can be purchased based off a 5.0 liter 81-93 Mustang or be purchased from a General Hardware / Auto parts store . If your vehicle has an Oil temperature gauge a Tee Fitting can be used to run off the Oil pressure switch.
3. Coolant Temp Switch
The CTS Can be Thread into the Thermostat housing if threads are present or towards the front of the Intake manifold where there is a water port. We install a 180 degree Thermostat in most engines.
4. Oil Cooler Notes
When using an Oil cooler and or Oil filter Relocator for a Small Block Ford typically an extra 2 quarts of oil are needed. If not enough oil is added upon startup the engine can starve of oil. Please confirm there are sufficient oil levels. Another note regarding oil coolers; if you had an engine with bearing damage and are replacing it with a new engine a new oil cooler is necessary.
5. Oil Temp / Filter Housing Hookup
Some vehicles have the gauge for reading oil temperature. There are a couple of places to potentially go into. One place would be to run a Tee off the Oil pressure switch. In some cases you can use the threads off the oil filter relocator adapter. You can also specify an oil pan that has an extra oil bung in the oil pan to use as well. This would be an extra charge.
6. Trans. Midplate,
302 and 351w Small Block Ford engines require a Midplate in between the Engine Block and Std. Flywheel. Remove Flywheel, Install Plate and Reinstall the Flywheel. Torque to specs.
7. Clutch, Bellhousing and Transmission
Use proper grade bolts for the clutch kit. Clutch Dowel pins are installed on the flywheel for proper alignment. Make certain the Clutch Cable is adjusted properly. Too much pressure applied to the input shaft can damage the pilot bushing in the back of the crankshaft. Aluminum Bellhousings are good for street applications. Steel SFI approved Bell housings are recommended for Street / Strip and Racing engines to prevent any possibility of clutch blowout.
Quicktime Bell housings are a good choice being that they don’t require trimming to fit on most Cobras.
8. Cooling System / Radiator
50 / 50 Mix of Water to Antifreeze is recommended. Some kits come with the Radiator included that does a sufficient job of cooling the engine. If you need to purchase another radiator we suggest a high quality Aluminum One. Factory Five Kits provide a T-Filler neck and Coolant reservoir bottle; this helps “burp” the Cooling system better.
9. Header Installation
Generally speaking there are long tube and Shorty Headers for the Cobra Replicas and GT-40s. When using a 4 into 4 Header; the Exhaust pipes will come close to the oil filter off the block but should clear in most cases. (4 into 2 are intended for FFR Daytona Coupes) When using a Shorty Header which in most cases gets mounted backwards and installed with a J Pipe, the oil filter may need to be relocated to clear the flange area. Use a high quality Header gasket with ARP Style hardened retaining Bolts to prevent exhaust leaks.
10. Throttle Linkage
Most manufacturers provide a Throttle linkage bracket to hook into a Carbureted setup or Fuel Injection for the Small block 302 and 351w engines. Some modifications may be necessary to hookup.
11. Alternator Hookup
Run one 10 gauge wire from the back of the Alternator to the positive side of the Battery.
12. Engine Storage
If the engine sits for a long time keep it stored in a clean and dry area at room temperature. We Don’t suggest removing the Distributor to re-prime the engine. We use a heavy lubricant to prevent scuffing and wear.