Projects DRAG SNAKE "Vintage Terror!"

For the simple reason that AC Cars Ltd. had no money to redesign and upgrade. At the time that Shelby approached them, AC was on the verge of going out of the sports car business, one reason being the engine they'd been using was ceasing production. Shelby was looking for something small, light, and cheap, the AC 'Ace' filled the bill.

When Shelby decided to fit the FE into the Cobra to keep up with Ferrari, a 390 was dropped into a 'Ace' chassis for a test mule. The car was undrivable. He then brought Ford into the picture, and with Ford doing the heavy engineering work, a new coil-over chassis was designed and then built by AC. This chassis was used for all subsequent versions, regardless of engine size.

 

I remember the first Cobra chassis I saw, thinking those main rails looked like the size of coffee cans.

 

I remember doing some header patch job on a small block car back in the late 70s.
Looked like a single big bale trailer frame.

 

One other thing that many aren't aware of; Cobra production didn't end in '67. While the cars could no longer be imported into the US as they wouldn't meet current safety specs, AC built a 'AC 289' (using the updated chassis and bodywork) for several years that was sold in Europe and elsewhere. The 'Ford connection' that AC had due to the Cobra program gave them a new lease on life (at least for a while) as they continued to use Ford motors in future designs.

 

Well I ordered the Tremec Magnum Trans today. Tremec recommended, I talked to the guys at Silver Sport Transmissions and they put together a full kit for me. Extremely knowledgeable folk there, I was impressed! They actually convert the Ford Mechanical Tremecs to Hydraulic etc. They put a complete package together from bell housing to yolk! This will be a crazy simple operation to bolt right to the little 289!

Yes you read that right, 289. Honestly I was checking on headers for the other direction and pretty much found every new kit car in the country is now running or plans to run the Coyote or LS. In fact the guy from header place said the old ford and chevy small blocks are virtually obsolete! That is all it took for me to jump back on the rails!

So here is what I am going to do: BOSS 363!!!


* Bore x stroke: 4.125 in. bore x 3.400 in. stroke
* Block: Boss 4-bolt main block M-6010-BOSS302
* Piston to Deck Height: .01 in." below deck (nominal)
* Crankshaft: SCAT forged steel
* Connecting rods: SCAT forged steel I-beam connecting rods with floating pins and ARP bolts
* Pistons: Mahle forged aluminum

I have ordered the short block from Ford Racing and I have sent the specs to Roger Hurst (the guy who blue printed the upper end of the Austins Motor etc.) We will be using AFR aluminum heads and he will decide the combustion chamber size etc. to keep us on at least 93 octane fuel (probably 58cc or 60cc). Jessel Rockers and then as before he will design a custom cam and choose the valves, springs, lifters etc. On the BBC he liked Howard stuff, we shall see what he comes up with. We should be able to pull down 500 hp fairly easily.

 

That's good to hear Roger is still at it.
The last time I talked to him he was not well.

 

Yep he is still kicking...he is chomping at the bit to get hold of my numbers etc. He has called me twice
since I mentioned I was going to need his services on it etc....lol

 

If I did the math correct (give or take a few) a 58cc head on the 363 should be about 10.6 to 1, a 60cc will make about 10.4 to 1 and 72cc 9.1 to 1. So I am thinking 58cc before Roger even gets his hands on it.

 

Wheels are moving along...I spoke with Scott from ET yesterday and the only hurtle left if figuring out how and where to place the valve stem. No big deal right?!

 

If laying on concrete isn't a big deal, valve stems on the inside would be an interesting outside look dynamic. Clean. Most wouldn't notice, but others would think you have some sort of top secret tires. And hey, maybe you do. Keep 'em guessing.

 

I like to build with the KISS method. There's no way I would put valve stems on the inside of the wheel.

 

Back in the old days when we would simply reverse a stock wheel we always left the stem on the inside. PITA to check pressure and the wheel was always in the wrong position of course.

 

Merry Christmas Folks. Best wishes to you and your families.

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Same to you and your Randall.
And we did get a white Christmas up this way after all.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours. No snow here, sunny blue skies, and 85

 

I love the direction you're headed with this and the Boss 363 is a great offering from Ford Racing. Stout, durable and still in the compact little 289 exterior dimensions!

 

Well I can tell you right now that whatever happens I am not going to like the color of it.

 

Beaner you really need to look at the Cobra through the bottom of an empty moonshine jar and then you will love it! Lol

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Is that where you found it

 

James you are probly right lol


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See all you have to do is mention moonshine and Jackson is back... lol

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I never left Randall just been patiently waiting on some progress lol


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Tell me about it! This thing is 11 pages of all talk and no action so far...Don't worry we are about to get going.

 

You know Jackson ain't happy tell he see some drive shaft dance or a 80W90 oil slick.

 

No photos yet but I got an email Christmas eve saying the Nose is out and the rear section is laid up and cooking in the mold. Just a few house keeping issues left like a couple of doors, inner trunk liner, and the hood liner. Should have everything wrapped up around the 1st/2nd week of the new year!

 

Are you itching yet?

 

No James I'm freezing to death it's just too damn cold lol


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Cold up here also.
I am glad my shop is in basement.

 

That ain't Cold =
Pay back for the time we were at the Meltdown in the 90s and you said it was just right.

We got -4 with -20 wind chill, heck just got out the winter coat yesterday

Send up some of that clear stuff.

 

Norb there is a reason I live in the south but I'm thinkin I might need to go further south lol hell Randall you better have one hell of a heater lined up for this slippery snake lol


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