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Cobra intake torque spec

Discussion in '1965-1970 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT500' started by shelbyfan73, Oct 10, 2009.

  1. Oct 10, 2009 #1
    shelbyfan73

    shelbyfan73 Active Member

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    Hello all,

    I am getting closer and closer to getting my 66 back on the road after two years of me trying to rebuild her. Anyhow, I am down to a few last items. I now have her drivetrain in but I have another question. Can someone tell me what the torque spec is for an aftermarket Cobra aluminum intake on my 289? I have found conflicting information. One source says 15 ft/lbs max and another says 30 ft/lbs.

    Thanks for the help.
     
    shelbyfan73, Oct 10, 2009
    shelbyfan73, Oct 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Oct 10, 2009 #2
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

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    Hi,
    I may be wrong but taken directly from memory I believe the torque
    should be 11 ft/lbs except on one corner where it should be 9 ft/lbs.
    Can't find my documentation at this point so maybe somebody else can weight in.
    Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Oct 10, 2009
    Texas Swede, Oct 10, 2009
    #2
  3. Oct 10, 2009 #3
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

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    Checked my 65 Shelby Owners Manual and it specifies
    14-16 ft/lbs.
    Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Oct 10, 2009
    Texas Swede, Oct 10, 2009
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  4. Oct 10, 2009 #4
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    most after market aluminum intakes have one set of torque specs for the outer 4 bolts & a higher value for the rest of the bolts.

    Didn't the intake come with torque instructions ?

    Z. Ray
     
    zrayr, Oct 10, 2009
    zrayr, Oct 10, 2009
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  5. Oct 10, 2009 #5
    shelbyfan73

    shelbyfan73 Active Member

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    Thanks Texas Swede and Z. Ray for the replies. The lower torque spec information I got was from a friend. He told me that is what he remembered being told by a Tony Branda employee years ago. He also stated that his memory wasn't 100% positive. I then called Carl at Carl's Ford Parts and he is the one that told me the higher torque spec. That is when I got really confused and thought I would see what people have torqued their intake to on here. I guess I am still confused. I know your owners manual says 15, but I wonder if the aftermarket intakes need the higher 30 ft/lbs torque?

    Z. Ray, the intake has been on the car since before I bought it 20 years ago. I removed it to have some head work done and to clean and repaint it. The instruction sheet has been lost to the ages.

    Thanks again for the replies.
     
    shelbyfan73, Oct 10, 2009
    shelbyfan73, Oct 10, 2009
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  6. Oct 10, 2009 #6
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    I would call Cobra Automotive. They sell the reproduction Cobra manifold and would be able to give the correct values.

    www.cobraautomotive.com
    37 Warehouse Point Rd,
    Wallingford, CT 06492
    (203) 284-3863


    Z. Ray
     
    zrayr, Oct 10, 2009
    zrayr, Oct 10, 2009
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  7. Oct 11, 2009 #7
    OVERRIDE

    OVERRIDE Well-Known Member

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    Re check the Torque of the intake after you drive it for a few days.
     
    OVERRIDE, Oct 11, 2009
    OVERRIDE, Oct 11, 2009
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  8. Oct 11, 2009 #8
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

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    I know for a fact that one of the corner bolts should be torqued less than the others, just don't remember which but probably the one with the least material. Torque too much and you crack the corner off so be careful.
    Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Oct 11, 2009
    Texas Swede, Oct 11, 2009
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  9. Oct 11, 2009 #9
    s2ms

    s2ms Well-Known Member

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    As would be expected the 66 GT350 owner's manual has the same specs as the 65 manual, 14-16 ft/lbs.

    The left front and right rear corners are the most vulnerable to cracking, especially the left front. While the manuals don't specify a difference, I agree with Texas Swede and IMO those corners should be torqued on the light side.
     
    s2ms, Oct 11, 2009
    s2ms, Oct 11, 2009
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  10. Oct 12, 2009 #10
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

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    Hi guys,
    I found the Accessories Installation Manual from Shelby American
    Inc. and it says the following regarding the installation of the
    Cobra aluminum High Riser Manifold:

    1: First torque to 5 foot pounds (threads oiled)
    2: Then torque to 8 foot pounds
    Caution: Number 11 ( passenger side, closest to the fire wall)
    should not be torqued beyond 8 foot pounds. Number
    9, 10, 11, and 12 (all four corners) are unsupported
    and care should be taken on these.
    3: All, except number 11 should be torqued to 15 foot pounds

    The torque sequence must be followed,of course.
    The picture shows 65 small letter aluminum manifolds with one
    and two carbs respectively.
    Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Oct 12, 2009
    Texas Swede, Oct 12, 2009
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  11. Oct 12, 2009 #11
    shelbyfan73

    shelbyfan73 Active Member

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    Thanks everyone for all the replies, and doing research in your owner manuals. I sure didn't think that a torque spec could get so confusing.

    Z. Ray, I called Cobra Automotive today as you suggested. They told me they always torque thier reproduction intakes to 22 ft/lbs. The guy told me they have never had any issues with that spec. on all the bolts. I guess the reproduction intakes are a little thicker at the corners so they can withstand the added pressure.

    Thanks again everybody, it's appreciated.
     
    shelbyfan73, Oct 12, 2009
    shelbyfan73, Oct 12, 2009
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  12. Oct 12, 2009 #12
    zrayr

    zrayr Well-Known Member

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    the metal is probably thinker, AND also improved is the science of making stronger metal, and better casting techniques.

    many of the skimpy aluminum wheels seen today would be breaking if made using the science of 40 years ago.

    Z. Ray
     
    zrayr, Oct 12, 2009
    zrayr, Oct 12, 2009
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  13. Oct 12, 2009 #13
    sanpablo

    sanpablo Member

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    sanpablo, Oct 12, 2009
    sanpablo, Oct 12, 2009
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  14. Oct 12, 2009 #14
    Texas Swede

    Texas Swede Well-Known Member

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    Sanpablo,
    Branda's specs are taken directly from the Manual I got it from.
    /Texas Swede
     
    Texas Swede, Oct 12, 2009
    Texas Swede, Oct 12, 2009
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  15. Oct 13, 2009 #15
    sanpablo

    sanpablo Member

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    I thought it looked familiar!! :)
     
    sanpablo, Oct 13, 2009
    sanpablo, Oct 13, 2009
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