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AC
Sports Cars
1960s
Britain

History

AC Cobra Mark III


Production 1965 to 1967
Class Sports car
Body Roadster /fastback
Engine 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8 and 4.7 L (289 cu in)
Power 345 b.h.p. at 4,600 r.p.m.
Wheelbase 8 ft. (96 in.)
Length 14 ft. 6 in. (174 in.)
Width 5 ft. 7 in. (67 in.)
Height 4 ft. 3 in. (51 in.)
Weight 3,143 lb. 
Top Speed 150 m.p.h. 


The AC Cobra Mark III was built in Britain from 1965 to 1967 with 4.7 L (289 cu in) V8 engine also some with 427 cu in (7.0 L) V8 .

History 

The AC Cobra Mark III was built until 1967 The engine a V.8 high performance unit manufactured by Ford Motor Co. of America. The front suspension comprises twin wishbones by highly specialised thin wall casting techniques developed by Ford America to reduce weight. Identical to 428 Convertible, but wheelbase 6 in shorter. The new car also had wide wings and a larger radiator opening for cooling. Traditional British sports body constructed in 16- and 18-gauge aluminium; leather trim, with carpets to choose. Demountable hood and tonneau; large luggage boot; fuel tank 15 Imp. gal.; spare wheel under luggage locker; maximum speed 150 m.p.h. Dimensions: weight 2,282 lb.; length 13 ft., width 5 ft. 8 in, height'4 ft. 1 in, with soft top erected; wheelbase 7 ft. 6 in., track, front 4 ft. 7 in., rear 4 ft. 6 in.

Engine: V.8 built by the Ford Motor Co. of America, 7,016 c.c. along with a high-performance engine also available, providing 400 bhp with single 4-barrel 780 CFM Holley carburettor. at 5,750 r.p.m. at extra cost. 

Capacity 4,727 c.c. (289 cu. in.) with bore and stroke (4.00 x 2.87 (101.6 x 72.9 mm.) ,crankshaft carried on 4 main bearings, lead bronze bearing shells to mains and big ends, compression ratio 11:1, 4-choke Holley carburettor, 270 b.h.p. at 5,850 r.p.m. with 6,500 as recommended maximum; lubrication by pressure pump to bearings; aluminium pistons; Salisbury limited slip differential 3.54 ratio, Borg Warner 4-speed all synchromesh gearbox, ratios 2.20, 1.66, 1.31, 1.00; chassis, suspension, steering and brakes, identical to 428 Convertible, but wheelbase 6 in. shorter.

PERFORMANCE: 289 cu in

  • Fuel consumption: 19 ml imp gal, 15.8 ml us gal
  • Max speed: 150 mph, 241.5 kmlh
  • Max power (SAE): 270 hp at 5,750 rpm
  • Max torque (SAE): 312 1b ft, 43.1 kg m at 3,400 rpm
  • Max engine rpm: 7,000
  • Specific power: 57 hp/l
  • Power weight ratio: 7.9 lb/hp, 3.6 kg/hp
  • Acceleration standing 1/4-mile 14 sec, 0—50 mph (O—80 km/h) 4 sec

 

Technical

  • AC Cobra Mark III  Technical details and specifications (1965-1967)


    ENGINE: 289 cu in
    location front
    4 stroke; cylinders: 8, Vee-slanted at 90° aluminium pistons
    bore and stroke: 4 X 2.87 in, 101.6 x 72.9 mm
    engine capacity: 289 cu in, 4,735.84 cu cm
    compression ratio: 11
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: cast iron
    crankshaft bearings: 5
    valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, in line, push-rods and rockers
    camshafts: 1 , at centre of Vee
    lubrication: rotary pump, full flow filter
    carburation: 1 Ford downdraught 4-barrel carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: water, electric fan

    ENGINE: (428 cu. in.)
    bore and stroke of 4.13x3.98in.(104.9x 101.1mm.),
    power 345 b.h.p. at 4,600 r.p.m.
    compression ratio 10.25:1
    4-choke Ford carburettor
    lubrication by pressure pump to bearings
    aluminium alloy pistons

    TRANSMISSION

    Borg Warner 4-speed all synchromesh gearbox
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: ratios 1st 2.20 2nd 1.661, 3rd 1.311, 4th 1
    gear lever location: central
    final drive: hypoid bevel, Salisbury limited slip differential 
    axle ratio: 3.540.

    CHASSIS
    type tubular
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, coil spring telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: independent, wishbones, coil springs, traling radius arms, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    rack-and-pinion
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 2.60.
    turning circle (between walls) 34 ft, 10.4 m

    BRAKES
    disc (front diameter 11.75 in, 298 mm, rear 10.50 in, 267 mm)
    area rubbed linings: total 580 sq in, 3,741 sq cm.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 57 Ah
    generator type: altinator, 360 W
    ignition distributor: Ford

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 90 in, 2,286 mm
    front track: 55 1,397 mm; rear track: 54 in, 1,372 mm
    overall length: 156 in, 3,962 mm
    over width: 68 in, 1,727 mm
    overall height: 49 in, 1,245 mm
    ground clearance: 6 in 152 mm
    dry weight: 2,150 1b, 975 kg
    distribution of weight: 51.5% front axle, 48.2 rear axle

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Service

  • AC Cobra Mark III Maintenance and Service Guide (1965-1967)

    289 cu in
    Fuel: 100 oct petrol
    Engine sump oil: 9 imp 10.78 US pt, 5.1 1, SAE 20 (winter) 30 (summer), change every 2,000 miles, 3,200 kmh
    Total lubricating system capacity: 10 imp pt, 12.05 US pt
    Gearbox oil: 2.50 imp pt, 2.96 US pt, 1.4 1, SAE 90, change every 4,000 miles, 6 000km
    Final drive oil: 2.50 imp pt, 2.96 US pt, 1.4 1, SAE 90, change every 4,000 m 6,400 km
    Cooling system capacity: 18 imp pt, 21.56 US pt
    Greasing: every 2,500 miles, 4,000 km, 9 points
    Tappet clearances: inlet 0.018 in, 0.46 mm hot, exhaust 0.018 in, 0.46 mm hot
    Valve timing: inlet opens 46° before tdc and closes 84° after bdc, exhaust opens 94° before bdc and closes 36°after tdc
    Normal tyre pressure: front 26 psi, 1.8 atm, rear 28 psi, 2 atm.
    Width of rims: 6" tyres 185 x 15
    Fuel tank capacity: 15 imp gal, 17.9 US gal
    Carrying capacity: 353 1b, 160 kg

    © Motor car History