Messages

16

428 Frua Forum / Frua for sale

« on: December 16, 2013, 23:08:32 »

"Classicus" made an enormous effort in tracking down the existing Fruas, and published his findings here:
   
   http://acfrua428.activeboard.com/f397875/register-amp-archive/
   
   Thank you Paul (Classicus)!

17

428 Frua Forum / AC 428 Rear Window from a Fiat Dino Coupe ?

« on: August 07, 2013, 04:58:58 »

Very interesting Paul. Needs further examination, but if you're correct, this could be very helpful. thanks!

18

428 Frua Forum / Exhaust manifold

« on: June 30, 2013, 04:25:35 »

Emmanuel and I met up today, and he will (probably) post some photos of my tube headers for your edification. He had a similar set-up for his car, but now he thinks he may have a better solution (O JOY) !  We looked at "427 shorty" cast Iron headers (very rare AND expensive), but if he's correct, it would look "stock" and "period correct"  for those who are fussed about such things.
   My car runs great, and the heat issue is mostly a thing of the past, partly due to these ceramic-coated headers. i'm satisfied... for now...
   Paul - To answer a question you posed a long time ago on 'Frua restoration part 2' - yes; I do now have a subtile (and removeable) front spoiler. I followed Emmanuel's lead, it's virtually invisible and works very well.

["B67207" "FE" engine exhaust]

19

428 Frua Forum / Exhaust manifold

« on: June 24, 2013, 02:33:29 »

Clifford - I managed to get to my storage, and took photos of my manifolds. The clearest number was B67207
   I googled "B67207" "FE" engine exhaust, and found this thread discussing the part
   
   http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/thread/1191946603/1192167381/Identifying+stock+exhaust+manifolds+-+possible+upgrade
   
   Interestingly, this thread was started by a fellow in the UK, and his car was a UK-built custom. So... Is it possible the non-standard casting number might be due to it's being a UK manufactured part? Seems unlikely, but not entirely impossible.
   The moderator of the thread was/is Bob Sprowl, and the link to his FordFE site is above, in my previous contribution. He might know...
   
   It certainly seems to be the opinion of the participants in this 2006 FE thread that the manifold is FAR, FAR Faaarrrrr.... from being a "performance" part.
   
   Sorry to be of little help. I vaguely recall Mike McClusky saying he thought these were used in "Country Squire" Estate wagons. I think that may have been a bit of dry humor on his part. Some were used on "original" Cobras - the 428's - that were subsequently re-engined by Shelby or modified by early owners. They are (apparently) one of several variations of "standard FE" 8 bolt, center dump items.
   
   I'll ask around. It's a slim possibility there might be a pile of them in a corner somewhere. Good to know for the ACOC Frua parts list.
   
   Dorman have a 'made in China" replacement that might work, sold by Summit racing. Otherwise, it's Ebay, junkyards or (best case, already discussed) modified "shorty" tubular headers.

20

428 Frua Forum / Exhaust manifold

« on: June 22, 2013, 19:11:05 »

Left and right side manifolds have different but similar numbers. I'm hoping to be able to access my parts this week, but check this link. Anything look familiar?
   The letter "B" would indicate a part from the 1950's. In the 1960's, the letter would be "C", according to the Mustangtek 'decoding Ford Casting numbers" link above.
   Ford FE engine blocks made their debut in 1958, so the manifold might very well have come from an early iteration.
   Unfortunately, Ford were apparently inconsistant (according to FE forums I've visited) in their casting numbering system. The number you found does not conform to the code as understood presently. Maddening!
   
   http://www.fordfe.info/ExhaustManifolds/FactoryEx/indexExhaust.html
   
   http://www.ebay.com/bhp/ford-fe-exhaust-manifold

21

428 Frua Forum / Exhaust manifold

« on: June 20, 2013, 21:16:04 »

Clifford - Yes, they did use short headers, and modifications were needed to get them to fit in the space available. Dennis Cann (Lynn Park's mechanic) arranged the fitting with a muffler shop he used - but Dennis has retired and is unavailable.
   I'll try to get to my storage sometime soon (it's not close) and find my originals. Unfortunately, I did not take photos of them, and don't have the casting numbers.
   Not much help yet, but I'll try to give you better information soon. Emmanuel might know - his engine is out of the car
   Jeff

22

428 Frua Forum / Exhaust manifold

« on: June 20, 2013, 01:49:26 »

Clifford - here's an online tool that might answer your question concerning the origin of your exhaust manifolds.
   I removed mine and replaced them with fabricated stainless ceramic-coated ones. My intention was to send as much engine heat out the tailpipe as possible. The cast iron originals don't breathe as well, and are a heat-sink, keeping engine bay temperatures high. I'm saving my originals to accompany my car whenever it goes to a new home.
   If you've removed your cracked manifold, find the casting number - you might find it identified here:
   http://mustangtek.com/FordDecode.html
   Once identified, it would be MUCH cheaper to track down a used (or unused "new") part in the USA and have it shipped.
   Good luck!
   Jeff

23

428 Frua Forum / AC Frua Restoration Part 2

« on: May 29, 2013, 08:01:31 »

WOW!
   Emmanuel, I looked back to see when you started this quest, and your first post (that I found) was in 2007.
   Since before then, you've been steadily engaged in bringing your car back to life, and rectifying the 'temporary' work it was subjected to in the past.
   You've done a wonderful job. It will be a MUCH "better than new" car.
   In my opinion, that is fully justifiable. You have given the thought and care this rare car deserves. I think you've honored the effort by Derek Hurlock and AC cars, who tried to bring an exciting GT car to market at the time, by doing the development work they did not have the financial resources to do when it was new. But your car is STILL what it was, and still authentic and improved!
   Moreover, you've been extremely helpful (I think) to others, by documenting what you've done.There's not a bit of deception here!
   Whenever you decide to move your car on to another owner, that lucky person will have incontrovertible evidence of what was done, and how well it's been done! AND much of the work has been done by the same guys who worked on the original AC/Shelby Cobras!
   Congratulations!.

24

428 Frua Forum / engine overhaul

« on: April 15, 2013, 18:17:56 »

Emmanuel is in the process of putting his car back together, and he has decided to do something that has been talked about  on the forum.
   Mike McCluskey is fabricating two fan-assisted ducts to push engine compartment heat out the side-vents. It will be interesting to see if this will make those vents actually do something. (I think it will)
   There'll be dancin' in the aisles of the church of the born-again 428 if it works! Halleluja!

25

428 Frua Forum / engine overhaul

« on: April 11, 2013, 10:50:57 »

Amen, Andy - on almost everything.
   
   I replaced my original auto box with a Tremec 5-speed. My original reason for swapping transmissions was due to the extreme heat generated by the Police interceptor C-6 box. In half an hour of driving (in California), you could have cooked an egg on the trans cover. Ouch!
   The manual is smaller in size and more efficient. It generates less heat, and the heat it does generate is carried away by better airflow through the transmission tunnel. The swap is easy  (at least it was on my car) as the mounting points are already in place, and no chassis alteration is needed to install a top-loader based manual. It's an easily reversible swap. I've kept the original transmission and torque converter, as I have done for everthing I've replaced on my car.(except the radiator and flex-fan. I threw them out in a fit of garage cleaning. And the diff gears - They went into Mr. Feldman's coupe when I changed the rear-end ratio on my car)
   
   If you plan on driving in hilly or twisty terrain, a manual gives you better control. You get better mileage, better acceleration, a higher top speed and lower revs. Torque is still your friend!
   
   I know it's been said (for years) that 428's are best suited to auto boxes. That might be true if you were to use a modern automatic transmission, but the original, though tough and bullet-proof, is a major source of heat and a waste of power.
   
   Amen, as well, to changing the intake manifold, the heads, the exhaust manifold, the radiator, the fan, springs, shocks - all that Andy suggests and more.
   
   A wonderful thing about the engine and drivetrain is: You can still get EVERYTHING you need - inexpensively! - to shed weight and improve performance! I replaced my iron Intake manifold with the identical date-correct aluminum Police Interceptor manifold, saving (as Andy says) a great deal of weight! I re-purposed my transmission oil cooler to an engine oil cooler, and the difference in consistant running temperature is considerable. Modern Aluminum heads (I used Edelbrock) solve the valve seat problem, save weight, improve performance and engine heat dispersal. A small chin spoiler (nearly invisible, and removeable) also helps enormously.
   
   David - you can easily purchase a "correct" Holley 4 barrel on Ebay (requires time and patience), or buy one a new one. Not only are they still being produced, they also re-condition the old stuff.
   Edelbrock, Blue Thunder (and others) make correct aluminum intakes, if you don't care to track down an "original".
   Exhaust headers are a custom-fit proposition. As Andy says; nothing will fit without modification. Not a big problem, but it does require an artful professional to be successful visually and functionally. I replaced the whole exhaust system with ceramic coated stainless. Now much more heat goes out the tailpipes, less on the passengers bums.

26

428 Frua Forum / AC Frua Restoration Part 2

« on: March 17, 2013, 05:58:46 »

Looking good, Emmanuel!
   It's been a long time coming, but it will be worth it!
   Looking forward to seeing it in person!

27

General Forum / 2013 International in the USA

« on: February 28, 2013, 06:33:35 »

Thank you, Gus. You made a valiant effort.
   Maybe it would be possible to gather a smaller, a less daunting conclave of AC's living in  North America. No insurance worries, and very reduced transport cost.
   Pebble Beach in 2013 or 2014?
   Fantasy Junction has - on rare occasions - had cars they were willing to "lend/lease".Only cars they actually own. Nothing like the one below - I'm afraid all AC's are now too valuable to
   "lend".
   
   http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/1246-AC%20-Ace%20Bristol-2.0%20Litre%20Inline%206-Cylinder

28

428 Frua Forum / Gentleman's Express Club AC 428 Register - Updates

« on: February 20, 2013, 09:05:40 »

Paul, How nice to see your contributions again.
   As far as I can tell, it was January 2007 when the "How many Frua's..." thread began, and March of 2007 that you piped up with the beginnings of an answer. You've been the catalyst in arriving at an answer! (and, as you might remember, there will one day be a long-lost addition to the list - hopefully)
   Thank you!

29

428 Frua Forum / 1969 Frua Coupe for sale

« on: September 30, 2012, 00:41:08 »

Me again! (yikes!)
   I'll second Emmanuels observation about mileage.
   For me, the mileage is not a great concern. Condition is the important thing.
   A really big plus (to me) about the 428 is the availability of ALL the mechanical parts.
   If you throw a rod in a 428 --- No Problem! Not only are there NEW FE blocks being made today in both iron and aluminum (as well as every other engine component), with a little effort expended in searching, it's still possible to obtain used original, date-correct blocks at very low cost (if that's "important" to you).
   (and with 428's, WHAT, exactly IS "correct"? There are no engine numbers, no clear dates of manufacture, very skimpy factory records. Who Cares? Same thing with "Shelby Cobras" ! "Original"? well......, sure!)
   You can purchase a fully assembled, blueprinted FE engine for the price of a belt change on a Ferrari.
   If you throw a rod and blow a hole in a Ferrari block, **poof**, there goes most of your investment in the car and tens of thousands of dollars, pounds, euros or Kroner just to get it running again. What fun is that?
   Although everyone has different reasons for owning an old car, for me, making use of the car on the road is the raison d'etre. Staring at it in a garage and polishing it every month is kinda lame. Afraid to drive it? Why have it?

30

428 Frua Forum / 1969 Frua Coupe for sale

« on: September 29, 2012, 20:59:02 »

quote:Originally posted by lyonheart84
   
I've always had concerns about the lack of MOT's in America as they are one possible way we have of keeping an eye on mileages covered. Most American cars that find their way across the pond to here have little history but invariably claim low  'genuine' mileages which can rarely be substantiated.
   

   I'm lucky enough to have a late 1960 Jaguar XK150 3.8 Drophead, I bought from the original owner (many years ago). I have a pile of reciepts going back to 1962 that document the Car's accumulated mileage, repair and whereabouts over that time.
   In the USA, that's really all the reliable documentation one can expect.
   Each State has the sole authority to license cars. So there's no clear, accessible and authoritative record of a cars history as there is in the UK, via M.O.T.. Too bad!
   Here, you're left with the option of a careful examination of the car to determine condition, mileage, originality, etc., in the absence of documentation.
   Which is why the ACOC forum and Registry is such a valuable resource for Fruas  and all AC's. Selling a European car in the USA is potentially dicey too. As can be seen on the forum. Honesty and disclosure should be the default position.
   Ahhh, wouldn't that make this a better world? Maybe?