Engine and gearbox installation

The Ford Cleveland is a particularly wide block and fitting it in the Tojeiro engine bay is a tight squeeze. DAX recommended the box be attached to the engine outside the car. This made aligning the clutch far easier but meant I had to hire a huge lifter. This was the only time throughout the build I did not have a tool to do a job, but the lifter was only required for a day’s hire and cost less than £30.

Once the engine and gearbox mounts were aligned, high tensile bolts were slotted home and secured. The propshaft, no more than 10 inches long, slotted into the diff and gearbox without any problems.

Exhaust system

Cobra builders have the option of either side exit or under slung exhaust systems. By far the most popular are the side pipes fitted to my Tojeiro. Many companies offer these systems, but again I think the DAX items are best. Made from polished stainless steel they are large in diameter and the 4 into 1 collectors look sensational. Cutting holes in the bodywork takes some time and it's a job you don't want to get wrong. Prior to fitting the exhausts onto the chassis, escutcheon plates cut from 2mm stainless steel were bonded to the body. This covered the exposed raw edge around each exit hole.

Engine bay plumbing

To complete the engine installation a modicum of components were required. Fuel and coolant systems demand a network of pipes and in my Cleveland installation I forked out on Aeroquip braided hosing. Costing up to £40 a metre it did not take long to run up a three figure bill. However, look at the pics and in my opinion the investment has been worthwhile. As for the coolant pipes, I used Samco silicon hoses - again rather expensive but they add that little something. To finish the installation off I had a header tank purpose-made to my requirements. For once I didn’t install the DAX item, simply because I preferred a stainless steel finish rather than polished aluminium.