The 3 vital systems of an AC Cobra (cooling, oil, fuel) — complete guide
Objective: reliability + stable temperature + correct pressure, whether you’re running a small-block (289/302/351W) or a big-block (FE 390/427/428).
On a Cobra, the cooling system works “hard” because:
▪ the engine bay is compact,
▪ the big V8 radiates a tremendous amount of heat,
▪ airflow speed depends heavily on airflow management (air intake, deflectors, shroud, fan).
The goal is not to run “as cold as possible,” but to achieve a stable temperature that rises quickly to normal operating range, then does not drift in traffic or under load.
Functional chain:
Radiator (at the front) dissipates heat.
Water pump circulates the coolant.
Thermostat regulates: closed when cold (quick warm-up), open when hot (flow to radiator).
Hoses + fittings (often silicone or reinforced EPDM).
Expansion tank / cap (pressure and boiling management).
(Optional) Electric fan + temperature sensor/thermoswitch + relay.
Based on the parts you provided:
▪ Radiator: Fluidyne High Performance RSH.COB
▪ Water pump: FlowKooler 1642 high-flow
▪ Thermostat: Mr Gasket 4364 (listed 180°F / 82°C on reseller product sheets)
▪ Additive: Red Line Water Wetter (you listed it)
▪ Hoses / installation: not detailed, but you already have a “reliability-focused” setup.
👉 The FlowKooler 1642 is marketed as a “high-flow” pump (optimized impeller, etc.).
A) Radiator
Objective: capacity + efficiency (core design) + build quality + proper shroud.
Well-known brands (Cobra / US V8):
▪ Fluidyne, Mishimoto, Griffin, AFCO, Be Cool, Champion Cooling (entry-level but decent depending on model), CSF (better known in modern applications), Ron Davis.
On a Cobra: a multi-row aluminum radiator + a proper shroud is often more effective than a huge radiator with poor airflow management.
B) Water pump
▪ FlowKooler (available for FE / Windsor). For your FE, the 1642 is specifically sold for 352/390/427/428.
▪ Other brands: Edelbrock (certain applications), Stewart Components (very reputable), GMB (OEM-style), Milodon (depending on engine), Ford Racing / M-8501 (depending on series).
C) Thermostat
▪ Your Mr Gasket 4364 is listed as “180°F / 82°C” on reseller sheets.
▪ Alternatives: Robertshaw (historical “high-flow” thermostats), Stant, Motorcraft (OEM), Milodon.
Important: a “high-flow” thermostat does not fix an undersized radiator or poor airflow. It mainly stabilizes regulation and reduces pressure drop.
D) Cooling fan (if you want rock-solid city driving)
Brands:
▪ SPAL (benchmark), Derale, Maradyne, Flex-a-lite.
E) Hoses / clamps / fittings
▪ Hoses: Gates (very reliable), Dayco, Samco (performance silicone), HPS (silicone).
▪ Clamps: ideally ABA, Norma, Mikalor (robust clamps).
▪ Shroud (fan shroud): often the simplest and most effective gain.
▪ Bleeding/air removal: a Cobra can easily trap air pockets (cap position, high points).
▪ Radiator cap: choose a pressure rating consistent with your setup.
▪ Deflectors: force air through the radiator instead of letting it bypass around it.
Oil performs 3 functions:
Lubricates (creates a film between moving parts)
Cools (pistons, bearings, hot zones)
Cleans (by carrying particles to the filter)
On a big-block FE (like your 427), the quality of the oil system, hoses, and thermal management is a true pillar of reliability.
You listed:
▪ Oil pump: Melling M-57HV (racing / high volume)
▪ Filter: K&N HP-3001
▪ Oil cooler: kit with thermostatic plate (opens at 82°C / closes at 74°C)
▪ Hoses: AN10
▪ Oil: Valvoline VR1 Racing 20W50
Regarding the high-volume logic: the Melling M-57HV is marketed as a “high-volume” pump (increased flow according to certain distributors, performance positioning).
For the oil thermostat: “sandwich” thermostatic plates are commonly available in 80°C versions, for example Mocal units described as “opens at 80°C.”
Ideal setup for “street + hard driving”:
Properly matched oil pump (standard or HV depending on internal clearances / usage)
Quality oil filter
Oil thermostat (sandwich plate or remote thermostat)
Properly sized oil cooler
AN hoses (aviation-grade quality) + reliable fittings
Why use an oil thermostat?
Because an oil cooler that runs permanently can keep oil too cold (poor lubrication, condensation, fuel dilution). A thermostatic plate prevents that.
A) Oil pump
▪ Melling (US benchmark), Milodon, Canton Racing, Moroso.
▪ On small-block Ford: Melling (standard or HV) is very common; same for FE engines.
Important principle: an HV pump is not automatically “better.” It makes sense only if the engine’s clearances and constraints justify it (performance build, high RPM, pressure losses, etc.).
B) Oil filter
Well-known brands:
▪ WIX, NAPA Gold (often made by WIX), Motorcraft (depending on engine), K&N (like your HP-3001), Mahle, Purolator (quality varies by range).
C) Oil cooler (core)
▪ Setrab (very high level, motorsport), Mocal, Earl’s, Derale, Flex-a-lite, Canton.
Example: Setrab Series 6 (M22 ports, multiple sizing options, published specifications by brand and distributors).
D) Oil thermostat (sandwich / remote)
▪ Mocal (very common; e.g., “opens at 80°C”)
▪ Improved Racing (highly regarded in modern applications), Setrab (via adapter solutions), Earl’s, Derale.
E) Hoses & fittings
▪ Hoses: Aeroquip, Goodridge, Earl’s, Fragola, Russell, Speedflow.
▪ Fittings: same brands; avoid no-name components if you want zero seepage.
▪ Hose length: the longer the lines, the greater the pressure losses.
▪ Thermal protection: side pipes + headers radiate heat → use heat sleeves and smart routing.
▪ Clean installation: solid oil cooler mounting, rubber isolators, avoid vibration stress on fittings.
A carbureted fuel system must:
▪ deliver sufficient flow,
▪ at a stable pressure (otherwise float bowls become unstable and mixture fluctuates),
▪ with appropriate filtration (pre-filter / post-filter).
You listed:
▪ Carburetor: Holley 750 cfm double pumper
▪ Fuel pump: Edelbrock Performer RPM 1724
▪ Dual filter: Holley 162-562 (40 microns) + Holley 162-550 (10 microns)
The Edelbrock 1724 pump is advertised at 110 GPH and 6 psi, and “does not require a regulator” according to Edelbrock.
The Holley 162-562: 3/8” NPT, 40 microns, recommended as a “post filter” for carbureted applications (according to Holley).
The 162-550: 3/8” NPT, 10 microns (according to Holley).
Important note: Holley typically positions 10 microns for EFI (post-filter). In carbureted setups, 40 microns is often the “classic” post-pump value. A 10-micron filter can work on a carbureted system, but clogging and flow restriction must be monitored (and fuel quality matters). This depends on usage and tank cleanliness.
Clean layout:
Tank
Pickup / outlet screen
Pre-filter (larger micron rating, before pump if electric pump)
Pump (mechanical or electric)
Post-filter (finer filtration)
(Optional) Low-pressure regulator
Carburetor
Mechanical pump (like your Edelbrock 1724)
Advantages:
▪ simple, reliable, minimal wiring
▪ well suited to “street/performance” carb setups
Your model: Edelbrock states 6 psi / 110 GPH / supports up to 600 hp.
Well-known brands:
▪ Edelbrock, Carter, Holley, Canton, Aeromotive (more commonly electric/regulators), Mallory (depending on series).
Electric pump
Relevant if:
▪ hot starts are difficult,
▪ low-mounted tank / long fuel lines,
▪ sustained heavy use or high power,
▪ you want very stable fuel delivery.
Brands:
▪ Facet (small pumps), Carter, Holley, Aeromotive, Fuelab, Walbro (mostly EFI), Pierburg (mostly OEM).
▪ Avoid unnecessarily fine filtration (risk of clogging and pressure loss).
▪ Prefer reputable, serviceable filters (billet housing + replaceable element when possible).
Brands (carbureted / performance):
▪ Holley (your 162-562 - 162-550), Earl’s, Aeromotive, Russell, Fragola, Canton, Fuelab, Mallory, Redline.
▪ Cooling: aluminum radiator (Griffin / AFCO / Be Cool / Mishimoto), Stewart or FlowKooler pump, Motorcraft / Stant / Robertshaw thermostat, SPAL fans.
▪ Oil: Melling pump (standard or HV depending on setup), WIX / Motorcraft / K&N filter, Mocal / Improved Racing thermostat plate, Setrab / Mocal / Earl’s oil cooler.
▪ Fuel (carb): Carter / Edelbrock / Holley pump, Holley / Earl’s / Aeromotive filters, Holley regulator (if needed).
▪ Cooling: highly efficient radiator + shroud, FlowKooler (1642) or Stewart pump, 180°F / 82°C thermostat or adapted to usage, SPAL if electric.
▪ Oil: Melling M-57HV (depending on setup), AN10 hoses, thermostat plate (Mocal-style or equivalent), Setrab / Mocal oil cooler.
▪ Fuel: high-performance mechanical pump (Edelbrock 1724) or high-flow electric pump + regulation, properly sized filtration.
▪ Water: radiator + shroud + proper bleeding + correct pump + healthy thermostat
▪ Oil: oil thermostat + properly sized cooler + quality hoses + vibration-safe mounting
▪ Fuel: logical filtration (pre/post) + suitable pump + stable carb pressure