Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

good job. I guess you decided not to degree the cams. If you ever remove the timing cover you should definitely do that

looks good

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Great write up! It will help a lot of people in the future. I didn't think blue & red would look very good together but I does give them some pop:cool:

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Great write up man! Alot will appreciate this! :-)

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

still cant get my drivers side cover off :( this sucks. Putting the headers on the car was a hell of a lot less frustrating.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Did you do these?
Take the motor mount nut off on the drivers side
Back off the passenger side nut
Tilt the motor quite a bit
Disconnect the sensor on the brake reservoir
Bend the oil dipstick towards the drivers side fender
Take off all the bolts holding the covers on
Take off the firewall clutch adjuster (either factory or OEM)
Take off the bracket that holds the power steering reservoir in front of the drivers side cover

Once you get the cover to clear the brake booster, its still won't come off all the way. Once it clears the brake booster, lower the motor a bit, and then you have to wiggle it on out.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Or just remove the brake booster. It is not that hard and 30 minutes tops.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

agree........THAT IS WAY easier that way

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Maybe I am just stupid... :SMASH: I still have it unbolted actually, but I wasnt able to pull it completely away from the fire wall. It was real tight and didnt want to come out enough for me to move it around.

Ill get a second hand to work the jack and see if I can have better luck on my next day off

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Did you disconnect the brake pedal from the booster? If not, it just unclips. Also disconnect the two hydro lines and vacuum line up at the boost along with the two brake lines under the booster and the single electrical connector at the resevior.

BTW when I mentioned that I take it out, I mean I take it out, not move it out of the way with the lines still hooked up.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Sorry it took me so long to get back on thats my post on SVT that your quoting, sounds like you got it back together ok and running.


BTW you only have to remove the brake lines you dont have to remove the pressure lines from the pump.

I have heard about this key way issue but I must have had 98 cams because I had no issue with reassembling it.

also what tabs are you talking about on the chaine guides???? maybe Im just confused????

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Keyway issue is only with 96-97. And the cam gear doesn't go in the same way on each side, on the drivers side it is flipped, so the keyways doesn't bind and fits flush. And the passenger side it needs to be grinded because it doesn't seat on the cam properly and binds up, and you will break it if you torque it down.

The chain tensioner has orange plastic chain guides. The guides are partially held onto the tensioner by two small fittings, that are really cheap and break easily if any side to side force is applied. Maybe in a engine with less heat cycles they aren't as brittle, but with 90k miles, they were very brittle.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

alright, got the brake booster out and both valve covers off. Is there a specific way to make **** sure you dont skip a timming tooth? Are you supposed to pull the cams as the engine stopped? or turn it to TDC cylinder #1. Thanks, im trying to figure this out

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I used wires to keep the tension on the chain taunt. I also used white out to mark the timing gears like crazy to make sure I could tell if it moved.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x.../cammarks3.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x.../cammarks2.jpg
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x.../cammarks1.jpg

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Dyno tune for E70 is happening on Friday :) So dyno numbers coming soon!

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Dyno up! Car runs great now. Picked up about 22hp peak, same torque. Car pulls really strong up top now.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...dyno_mach1.jpg

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

22HP with a non degreed install...
Where's Modularspeed? This is beginning to sound familiar

Do you have a before dyno sheet to do an overlay?

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

No. I don't. It was a different dyno and a while ago.

But we did an overlay with another mach one with 5 more hp than i did before the cam swap, and vs the stock cams at 6500 I picked up 35hp over that car.

At 5k though it used to drop hard on the hp, and now it stays even with the new cams. Up top it made a huge differenence

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

congrates man, i love how well your write up was and very detailed, i wish we get more of these on the forum, for sure would help people out alot.

nice number gains, pretty much what you were going to get out of em. enjoy em

btw the valve covers and with the red coil covers look sick, i like em alot

ASh

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Why this post is not a sticky? It should be!!

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I keep debating this mod, but I want some nice customs.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I would love to do this mod but, as mine is my only daily driver its gonna have to wait.I don't think I could start it on a Friday and finish in time to go to work on Monday morning.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Nice write up!

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

i'm thinking the same thing,
this is outstanding just for taking off valve covers
sticky my vote

ASh

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

sent a PM to the big dog, lets see if we can make this a sticky

ASh

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Awesome write up bro. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

This is the way i just did mine and wow it was intimidating at first but with a little wiggling and some patience it came right out and went back in the same.Deff. and awesome write up!!!
Thank you.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Updated the first post. And I just wanted to post up a graph from when I added long tubes.

Green line is with 4.10 gears, stock manifolds, off road prochamber
Red line is 4.56 gears plus I added long tube headers and an off road x

Both runs were dyno'd on the same dyno, both SAE corrected, and both received dyno tunes by the same tuner (air fuel and timing were nearly identical).

Assuming the long tube headers gained me 12hp (which is common), I lost 3.8% due to the gear change.

So my numbers with should be closer to 326hp/322tq.

Other mods at time of this dyno:
E70 Tuned, Borla CB, 3" RAI, 90mm LMAF, XCAL3, 96 Cobra Intake Cams, NGK TR55s, various suspension and non performance related mods

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/828LT456.jpg

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I just did the 98 cam swap my self over the weekend. Very straight forward job. Hardest part was removing the driver side valve cover. I just removed the 4 bolts holding the whole brake booster to the firewall and removed the valve cover.
Note. Remove the front bracket in the front of the engine under the shaker. Gray in color 2 bolts and a nut holding it on.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrzlikw0x.jpg
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...psezymybvf.jpg

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Also I didn't lower the engine at all.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Good intel, 03Shakered. Have you dyno'd since the change?

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Good work! Thanks for posting pics. How does it feel driving?

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

No haven't dynoed yet. I'm saving up for a dyno tune since they do a base line then.
Feels great way more responsive and the top end is awesome. I had a hard time keeping traction before but now it's crazy. :bigeyes:

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Do you happen to have the ford part number for 96-98 cobra intake cam bolts? Ive called 2 different dealers around my area and they both have given me different part number and prices. Just curious if anybody had the part number available?

Thanks,

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Part numbers are in the first post. They are as follows:

Passenger Intake Cam F6ZE-6A270-AA (or AB)
Driver Intake Cam F6ZE-6A271-AA (or AB)

If they have any other number, they aren't sn95 cobra cams.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I was looking for the ford cam bolt part numbers (M12 x 1.5), i just called a third dealer and they had no clue. I might just end up getting the ARP bolts if i cant find any at the dealer.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

96-97 Cobra cams
(M12 x 1.5, 1.6in)

98-01 Cobras share the same cam bolt as the Mach 1.

I can't find the part number either. It used to be on the Ford part lookup because I got it from there and told my dealer the part number. I can't find it :(

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Yea i looked also and found nothing, two dealers gave me different part number i might just stop by and measure the bolts they have or ill just order the ARP ones.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

The ARP ones are 1.7" long. But they work, it was brought up in another thread.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Quick question. So with the cobra cams, does it sound better as well as more power? id like to hear how it sounds.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

From what I've heard, some say it's impossible to get a lope sound out of the 4 valves, but some videos of comp cams sound ridiculously loud. If you had headers and no cats, I'm sure you'd hear the difference.

I'm also looking for some input with these cobra cams. What should I be looking for when buying cobra cams. I found a pair that could work but it's online and I can't really depict how worn the cams are.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

They sound slightly different than the Mach 1 cams. So slight it may just have been my imagination. There is no hot rod cam sound if thats what you mean. The heavy cam sound comes from a lot of overlap, which can be adjusted depending on how the cams are degreed. You can have the same set of comp cams sound much different depending on how they are degreed.

Get close up photos to ensure there is no heavy pitting or chips on the cams. Check the part numbers. And you should be good. It is okay if the non-contact areas have some discoloration from carbon build up and rust. But if the contact area is rusted I wouldn't buy them.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Has anyone every tried removing the entire intake (everything) when attempting the Cam cover install or Cam swap? It would give a lot more access room for the job.

I remember when install installing my ported intake I pretty much took all of it apart. Looked like I could simply lift slightly and then slide the covers into the valley.

I have everything needed to do a 99 Cobra Cam swap, Ford GT covers. Also lowering parts on the shelf. Just looking for help (solo mechanic makes it hard) for the job. If I do attempt it my Mach1 is no longer a daily driver so down time is no issue. I've found the leaving the car on Jack stands and taking my time over a couple days helps me think through the project.

Of course degree the Cams would be the best, but for the best bang for the buck Dot to Dot seems to be cost and peace of mind worth it. It's tough finding/trusting a speed shop that will take care of the Mach1 and not miss or mess up anything.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Answering a few questions I received by PM.

1. Parts list looks good. Just make sure you have some high temp silicone handy. Might want to invest in the timing chain wedge as well, cam holding tool, etc. up to you.

2. Dot to dot just means you are lining up the keyways to put it back exactly were it was before. You just keep tension on the timing chains, to ensure you do not skip a tooth. Use white out to mark in multiple places on the intake and exhaust. You skip a tooth, you will damage your engine. As long as you keep tension on the chain, this is pretty straight forward because the cam can only slide in one way into the cam gear.

3. I would remove the exhaust cam bolt if you can't get enough chain slack, because then you can slide the cam gear on the exhaust cam. Timing chain wedge helps increase slack and makes the process easier. Get one.

4. Use rags to keep things from falling into the timing cover.

5. Take your time, don't rush, be careful. If you take you time and don't force anything it will be a smooth job. If you get frustrated and force things or skip a timing tooth, you will mess something up. Use the right torque specs, and double and triple check them.

Post here and I'll help you along. I'm on here all the time

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

To respond to this comment, I would have just removed the entire intake manifold if I had known originally. It is really easy to remove, and its best to leave the throttle body connected on the upper intake.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I have to remove my valve covers, thanks for write ups guys. When you say 4 bolts, you talking hydroboost and all? Are nuts under dash or anything needed to be done under dash?

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

Thanks for the reply, I'm going to tackle this tomorrow.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

So I got the passenger side completely done and buttoned up, and started to take apart the drivers side, and now I'm at the point where the cover is loose and clutch and throttle cables disconnected and out of the way, and I'm just deciding what's easier, jack motor up, or take apart brake booster. I'm thinking I'll jack the motor up. Is it just that one nut on the motor mount or did you guys take the mount off the motor itsself? Oh well that's for tomorrow.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I removed the drivers side nut completely and barely left the passenger side on. I think I even loosened the trans mount a little but can't recall. If you have a stock trans mount it will have plenty of flex. (i have poly and solid).

Safer way is to just remove that hydroboost. Seems like the others don't have a hard time taking it off.

You can turn the motor over by hand to ensure you have everything correct when you are done. The drivers side cam gear faces a different direction than the passenger side. Because the lower crank cam gears are one in front of the other.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I can't get the valve cover to clear by jacking the motor up. I have the trans mount loosened, passenger side nut loosened, and drivers side nut off. It starts to jack up the drivers side, then the whole motor starts to jack up, then it stops and lifts the car. I'm stumped. If I need to take off the brake booster, do I need to disconnect it from the master cylinder? It looks like that will be next to impossible for me because of my line lock unless I disconnect all the brake lines.

Re: Removing Valve Covers and Installing Cobra Cams - A Complete How To With Pics
 

I recall having to tilt the engine to get part of the valve cover to clear, then lowering it again to get the rest of the cover off.