popstar
New Member
Hello everyone,
Long time lurker, first time poster. This forum is an invaluable tool in my quest for maintenance and performance upgrades.
Back into mustangs after a 10 year break. Previously had a 1997 4.6 2V.
My new to me 1997 Cobra was "tracked by an old man” according to the broker I bought it from. 2 previous total owners, 89K miles. The car had CA plates and a willow springs raceway license plate frame, so I can assume thats where it was tracked, it also has 4 point racing seat belts. It has 4.10 gears (with no speedo correction) and there is evidence of a previous fuel system install (holes drilled into the spare tire area facing the axle). Bilstein yellows, lowered on unknown springs, drilled and slotted rotors, real 95 Cobra R rims, full length welded subframe connectors and a panhard bar. The car runs borlas with dumps before the axle, so I'm thinking either he had a larger fuel tank in place of stock, or ran the fuel cell mounted in the trunk, and I was told the ECU had a tune.
Bought the car in Las Vegas, and on the way back home (phx), It was running hotter than I was comfortable, pegged on the L of “normal” with the heat on max the whole time. Lucky it was freezing outside so the drive was bearable.
The cooling system definitely has air in it. I will try to burp the system tomorrow to see if it will run cooler. I will also check the engine vin plate to see if its an original engine.
Now on to the fun stuff…
I did a compression test yesterday since I became paranoid that I might have a head gasket issue. I read on the forums that the stock multi layer steel (MLS) head gaskets were pretty robust so they were commonly not a problem but better safe than sorry.
I did the compression test dry with the engine cold.
4 - 200 psi 8 - 175 psi
3 - 200 psi 7 - 160 psi
2 - 195 psi 6 - 150 psi
1 - 200 psi 5 - 175 psi
Is the 150 and 160 a massive concern? I will also go talk to a mustang mechanic I know from when I used to have my 2v and see what he thinks.
The engine is 100% stock as it sits.. Original wires and plugs also AFAIK.
The difference in cylinder pressure seems not good, but also not catastrophic (I hope). No smoke on start up or revs and runs and idles smoothly. No codes present. I’ve only driven a cobra once before so I don’t have any experience with the seat of the pants feeling as to how they should “feel” especially with the 4.10s.
I wanted to use this car as a gentle daily once I sorted out the cooling. Is this advisable?
Your thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.
Cheers
Long time lurker, first time poster. This forum is an invaluable tool in my quest for maintenance and performance upgrades.
Back into mustangs after a 10 year break. Previously had a 1997 4.6 2V.
My new to me 1997 Cobra was "tracked by an old man” according to the broker I bought it from. 2 previous total owners, 89K miles. The car had CA plates and a willow springs raceway license plate frame, so I can assume thats where it was tracked, it also has 4 point racing seat belts. It has 4.10 gears (with no speedo correction) and there is evidence of a previous fuel system install (holes drilled into the spare tire area facing the axle). Bilstein yellows, lowered on unknown springs, drilled and slotted rotors, real 95 Cobra R rims, full length welded subframe connectors and a panhard bar. The car runs borlas with dumps before the axle, so I'm thinking either he had a larger fuel tank in place of stock, or ran the fuel cell mounted in the trunk, and I was told the ECU had a tune.
Bought the car in Las Vegas, and on the way back home (phx), It was running hotter than I was comfortable, pegged on the L of “normal” with the heat on max the whole time. Lucky it was freezing outside so the drive was bearable.
The cooling system definitely has air in it. I will try to burp the system tomorrow to see if it will run cooler. I will also check the engine vin plate to see if its an original engine.
Now on to the fun stuff…
I did a compression test yesterday since I became paranoid that I might have a head gasket issue. I read on the forums that the stock multi layer steel (MLS) head gaskets were pretty robust so they were commonly not a problem but better safe than sorry.
I did the compression test dry with the engine cold.
4 - 200 psi 8 - 175 psi
3 - 200 psi 7 - 160 psi
2 - 195 psi 6 - 150 psi
1 - 200 psi 5 - 175 psi
Is the 150 and 160 a massive concern? I will also go talk to a mustang mechanic I know from when I used to have my 2v and see what he thinks.
The engine is 100% stock as it sits.. Original wires and plugs also AFAIK.
The difference in cylinder pressure seems not good, but also not catastrophic (I hope). No smoke on start up or revs and runs and idles smoothly. No codes present. I’ve only driven a cobra once before so I don’t have any experience with the seat of the pants feeling as to how they should “feel” especially with the 4.10s.
I wanted to use this car as a gentle daily once I sorted out the cooling. Is this advisable?
Your thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.
Cheers
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