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
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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 fanENGINE: (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 pistonsTRANSMISSION
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 mBRAKES
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: FordDIMENSIONS 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© Motor car History
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Service
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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