Scratch build gets a very special part
 

Well, "We have lift off" the earth came to a screeching halt this afternoon as we left the third titling office in the communist state of Minnesota. As I said the first two offices we walked into were so unhelpful with titling the scratch build that we literally walked out the door with the genuine WTF look on our faces. Finally we called down to the out of the metro office that others have said do the best to help us out and what do you know 20 minutes later and a few dollars (quite a few )poorer we had temp plates good for one year and the titling nightmare has begun. Time to put a couple of shake down miles on the car before the snow flies.
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Now this thing is not running very well guess I need to learn ford EFI tuning quick
Patrick

I hope you get it figured out quick, you got to be excited to have the plate on there. Good luck.

I will have to watch for you on the streets. I have always loved the Cobra and would love to get a replica myself. Good luck with the titling hopefully Minnesota will not let you down.

So what was it so hard to get the car titled? I dont get it I always hough you go down tot he DMW and get th car certified roadworthy? Maybe I am wrong? But in the end great for you on getting it done and a big congrats:cheers:

Okay I'll try to explain the procedure as simply as possible. this is a custom built car there is no VIN # for the state to use for identification.

Step 1. Apply for title. Two forms application for title, affidavit of reconstruction. This is to get the ball rolling give them your receipts all id numbers from all major components and pictures from all four sides. Pay the tax on fair market value of your vehicle (charged tax on your own labor). At this point the are supposed to give you temp plates so that you can use your vehicle to get it back and forth for inspections. Three of the offices I visited would not issue plates to me at this point, turned and walked away try another.

Step 2. After EIGHT WEEKS you get the paperwork back (No title yet)you are required to have your vehicle inspected this is to make sure the parts you put on the affidavit are the parts in your car and not stolen. Make appointment for inspection average wait FOUR-SIX WEEKS at inspection they stamp your paperwork and send you back to the dmv, to apply for a VIN tag.

Step 3. FOUR-SIX WEEK wait VIN tag shows up make another appointment with the inspector and wait again. Go to inspection office inspector will look over your paperwork again and the stick the VIN tag to your car with (GET THIS) double stick tape, and yes they have to be the ones who place the tag to your car. Oh yea still no title yet, inspector stamps your paperwork again and sends you back to the DMV.

Step 4. back to the DMV to finally file the final paperwork to get your title, wait SIX-EIGHT weeks for title to show up. hopefully your temp plates have not expired. You have just made the journey of a life time. Still want to build a car from scratch.
Patrick

.......ummmm no!

what a time consuming deal that is! :willy:

Depends on where you live. I am doing a scratch build as well, and don't have anywhere near the journey you had ahead of me.

As it was described to me by Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP): When I get my vehicle together and operational, I go to the BMV and get the forms, fill them out, make an appointment and then take the vehicle to an OSHP inspection facility, with all my receipts. They do the inspection right there, sign off on my paperwork, and (I think) give me a VIN tag there. I take that back to the BMV and get my plates. Done deal.

I think I have that right. If not there may be one extra step in there from OSHP to BMV again, but everything is done on the spot here. When we get our plates we walk in and walk back out with them. You can go to a title place and transfer an existing title or get a replacement in a matter of minutes, etc. They're also not too critical on what has to be on a vehicle, or what you can do to a vehicle. There's a new law on the table now, waiting to be put up for a vote, that would register an antique or classic custom-built vehicle as the original make/model it resembles. I am praying they get that passed before my time comes, because my race rod will then be registered as a 1923 Ford Model T pickup! :D

The only caveat I have seen and heard is that if there is something shady in your vehicle, parts, or receipts, they have the authority to confiscate the vehicle on the spot, at the inspection!!! :_paranoid They can also take it in a separate room, and not allow you to enter, for the inspection. Hearing and reading that made me a little paranoid, but I just started keeping better records, and practicing my finger crossing. :cool:

I forgot to say - the Cobra looks awesome! You and your project inspire me to keep pushing towards the end zone on my own.

Scratch build at 100 miles
 

Yea, spend five years building a car, spend countless hours making sure everything is the way you want it. Only to have it kick you butt for weeks trying to getting it to run right. I'm really starting to rethink my choice of computer management. The piggyback tuner is not playing well with the ECU from the Mark VIII. While I have the car running rather well, it doesn't stay that way it keeps losing the tune, and I have stop and reload the tune. It is truly getting old. I still have put 100 miles on the car and not having driven one before I only got my first ride in one just before my car was drivable, wow this thing is fun.

Now for the issues:

No mechanical issues other than the one brake hang early on. This thing seams to hold together well

alignment- I really could use a good one would like to find someone willing to come down and help me out on this one (have to do this race car style all hiem-joint pickup points)

Ride height- This one I'm still not sure of. I set the body up higher than the plans I had placed the body. So I think the car can be lowered but the tires will not tuck into the wells like others. but it still needs to be lower need new oil pan first along with some shorter shocks.

Fuel pump, Holy crap! Now I heard that external in-line pumps made noise but wow it is way loud like neighbors hear it over the exhaust. This will get special attention over the winter I will isolate it from anything it is connected to with flexible mounts and hoses.

Steering- This car handles like a dump truck, power steering is in it's future if the alignment doesn't help, and with no room for a pump we'll be looking at electric option.

Interior- This will be on the list of things to finish before the snow melts sound deadener and carpet along with door panels and dash. also I will be plugging up the holes from the engine compartment the added heat has been nice this fall but would make for an uncomfortable summer.

Titling journey has begun and I have received the notice of inspection needed, three weeks earlier than they said it would take, go figure roasters and snow don't mix. They will wait till spring for inspection like I told them when I applied. My plates are good till next Sept.

Patrick

And we have a weight
 

Hey guy's I didn't just stop tellling you what I've been up to its just that not much has been going on mostly cleaning up after the body and paint work. Until last weekend that is, I had the crew over for coffee and conversaition, Randy brought over the scales and we put the car on them.
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Other than that I will be tearing the seats and dash out and working to get carpet and door trim done before the snow melts which at this rate may be June.
Patrick

Scratchbuild sound deadener in now for carpet
 

Okay the snow keeps piling up out side but. I just keep moving toward the goal of getting the inside done before the snow melts. I have made a new note to self; if any one wants help to do sound deadener on their car, Run the other way. That is one pain the butt job I will only do if absolutely necessary, at least now I'm ready for carpet. I don't think it would be difficult to do an average car but, the crazy multi level floor and general curvy nature of my car made it a 14 hr job. enough griping here are the pics.
http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data...099_Small_.jpg
http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data...100_Small_.jpg
http://www.ffcars.com/photopost/data...101_Small_.jpg
Does anyone know where you can get bulk heat set carpet edging retail, I really don't want to have to order or have the upholstery shop do it. Also looking for large area Velcro patches.
Patrick