Need Help!! '96 Cobra overheating!

sounds like you developed an air bubble in the system. Try refilling and burping the system once car starts to heat up. This can be accomplished by slowly and carefully opening the cap on the overflow tube, just a little, until fluid starts pouring out, then tightening it. I've had this problem from time to time thanks to crappy hoses, never heard of an overheat caused by lack of pressure in radiator, but who knows. I highly recommend getting the leak fixed.

t-stat, air bubble, or it needs the coolant TSB

do you know if your cobra got the fix? the 96 GTs and Cobras had inefficient cooling systems and there is a TSB to replace the radiator and some other components. it might be too late to get it fixed for free. i would definately not suggest slowly opening the radiator cap, and closing it right away, that is probably gonna cause more problems. do a complete coolant flush and run the car at idle until the thermostat opens then turn it off, wait till it cools, and refill the resivour. there is a little cap on one of the hard tubes that has can be opened with a 1/4 drive extension or ratchet. that is another point on the motor where it can be burped, but only open it when the motor is cool.

Try burping the system, then a t-stat, then a radiator.

My 98 cobra just had the same problem about a month ago. Your not gonna like my suggestion, but the cause of mine was a warped cylinder head from being overheated by the previous owner. I would have a triple gas test on your coolant to check for hydrocarbons in the coolant. If there are hydrocarbons present the you are getting exhaust gas into your cooling system causing overheating that will fluctuate as you drive the car around. A warped head is not the only possible cause it could also be a cracked head or a head gasket. i hope this helps.

slow yellow cobra
98 cobra coupe
Eibach springs, tokico illimina shocks
mac cat-back 430 gears

When I called SVT a couple of years ago about the cookling system TSB, I was told that it was too late to get it done for free. I was also told that replacing the factory radiator with a Steeda would basically accomplish the same thing as the TSB.

I hope you find the fix!

i think the factory one is 192. you should be fine going with a 180 tstat.

First of all, get the radiator fixed or replaced. The Steeda unit is not a bad idea. With a hole in the radiator you are wasting your time in messing with other issues of the cooling system.
Once the radiator is fixed/replaced, then fill the system 70 30 mixture and add Redline Water Wetter. Fill the system till full at the radiator cap. Install radiator cap and then remove the port plug on the crossover pipe. Fill here till full. Start motor and let it warm up. Fill the crossover tube as necessary.
Once the engine is warmed up and you have heat in the heater hoses (interior heat is max) then top off the crossover tube, shut motor off and install the plug. This will eliminate all air.

It would not be a bad idea to replace the thermostat since you have 120K miles also. A flush of the cooling system is mandatory at this time since you have to repair or replace the radiator anyway.

You will be fine with a 180.

I also do not have the TSB installed. I have open tracked mine several times in 90+ degree weather without any problems. I do maintain the cooling system very regular through flushing the system and replacing coolant yearly. Sometimes more than once a year.

Good luck!

Drive it like you stole it.