• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SVT Tech Forum

98 Cobra maintenance questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter creeper
  • Start date Start date Sep 13, 2008
C

creeper

New Member
Jul 2, 2008
3
0
0
Sep 13, 2008
#1
  • Sep 13, 2008
  • #1
My stock 98 Cobra has finally reach the massive mileage of 35,000 so I’ve decided to do some preventative maintenance due to age rather than mileage, I’ve change the fuel filter, plugs and leads, had the radiator and block flushed.
I’ve now got replacement radiator top and bottom hoses (Goodyear) and a new serpentine belt and idler puller (Gates) to fit, I am thinking while doing this about changing the Thermostat at the same time but not sure as to the best one to use, do I keep the standard 195 degrees one or go for a 180? I live in Las Vegas so it doesn’t get very cold here so what will be the best coolant/mix to use?
While I’m doing this maintenance is there anything else I should change as a precaution due to the age of the vehicle and the heat it is kept in.

Thanks for any advice.


Creeper
 

COBRA90GT

Mustang Master
Sep 22, 2001
6,654
0
87
HOCKEYTOWN ® , MI
Sep 14, 2008
#2
  • Sep 14, 2008
  • #2
Doesn't really matter if you go with the 195 or 180 t-stat. The car will still come up to temperature (unless you program your radiator fans to turn on earlier with a programmer) - there's not a great need to tweak the cooling system unless you are experiencing overheating issues. Is your car currently overheating?

However, do make sure that your cooling system was properly "burped" of any trapped air - many cobra owners experience overheating after flushing their cooling system due to refilling it at the wrong location (you need to refill at the coolant crossover tube, directly in front of the radiator, instead of at the overflow tank). If your shop performed the radiator flush, make sure they did it the properly.

Since you live in a warm climate, you could get away with running a higher percentage of water in the cooling system but finding a prediluted 50/50 mix of coolant should suffice for most applications.

The only other thing you should do maintenance wise, would be to bleed the brake system (especially if its never been done before on a 10 year old vehicle). Have a reputable brake shop perform the bleed if you are not comfortable with this task.

G'luck!
 
C

creeper

New Member
Jul 2, 2008
3
0
0
Sep 14, 2008
#3
  • Sep 14, 2008
  • #3
No issues with overheating, I just feel it would be a good investment to do some preventative maintenance due to age, just a bit at a time but with a bit of planing so I don't have to keep taking the some bits off to do the next bit, hence the thermostat when doing the hoses and the serpentine belt at the same time as the hoses are off for a bit more room at the front of the engine.

With the brake bleed should I get the brakes flushed and new fluid?
 

tx65coupe

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
1,551
1
37
Sep 24, 2008
#4
  • Sep 24, 2008
  • #4
I would also replace the fluid in the rear axle and the transmission. Don't forget the limited slip additive for the rear.
 
Z

z28forlife

New Member
Sep 12, 2005
19
0
2
Oct 2, 2008
#5
  • Oct 2, 2008
  • #5
creeper said:
No issues with overheating, I just feel it would be a good investment to do some preventative maintenance due to age, just a bit at a time but with a bit of planing so I don't have to keep taking the some bits off to do the next bit, hence the thermostat when doing the hoses and the serpentine belt at the same time as the hoses are off for a bit more room at the front of the engine.

With the brake bleed should I get the brakes flushed and new fluid?
Click to expand...

Yes, get some synthetic type brake fluid in there. I would also get the tranny and rear end flushed and new fluids added.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
New kid on the block
  • HydraX
  • Mar 22, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
17
Views
684
The Welcome Wagon Mar 22, 2025
HydraX
H
For Sale 94 Cobra 408w AOD Project For Sale
  • Labora
  • Oct 11, 2024
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
1
Views
1K
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Apr 7, 2025
Labora
B
Engine Radiator Replacement Questions
  • bicknell
  • Jul 12, 2023
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
9
Views
3K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 15, 2023
Mindseye007
Engine Throwing codes 94, 33, 34, 44, and sporadic engine shutoff.
  • Ryu
  • Oct 9, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
892
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 16, 2024
89ripper
J
Progress Thread Family member 1989 GT- Backstory and updates
  • JRC99
  • Apr 19, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 26, 2025
JRC99
J
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SVT Tech Forum
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?