DeTomaso Mailing List: February 98, Message #177
     



From: 	pantera@pobox.com (David Doddek)

Subject: Destruction update

Date: 	Wed, 4 Feb 1998 01:21:31 +0000



Hey all.



I have another update on the road to Vegas.  I now have the car completely

sanded of old paint except in some of the corners.  I took a long time

sanding but it was to make it faster to do the new primer.  In the removal

phase I did not take off all the paint, but basically block sanded the old

primer to get the car mostly smoothe and then will reapply new primer to

make it even smoother.  I do have some areas to fill that are small dents or

wrinkles.  I have also welded up the cracks around the tail lamps.  I found

these areas are not caused by the spot welds shifting, but rather the metal

had actually cracked around the edge of the tail lamp openings.  This can be

a rather scarry thing knowing that the body of your car is cracking and

fagiguing.  I also welded up the holes from the L model bumper on the front

and found that this is another area of REALLY THIN metal.  It seems that as

some of the body pannels of the Pantera were pressed, they were pressed

poorly and made some of the places very thin.  I had to use the Mig welder

on its lowest setting and was still blowing holes in the body.  With metal

that thin, I wonder where the 3200 pounds comes from.



On a side note, I need some one to loan me a pair of Euro GTS front eyebrow

bumpers to make molds of.  Paul Timko was going to let me use his but backed

out on the deal.  I guess no free beer for him!!  Do I have any takers.  I

can make it worth your effort in one way or another.



As for the engine, I have the block done and it ended up at .020 overbore.

I have ordered the new rods, pistons and stroker crank from Pantera

Performance Center.  I already have the cam and lifters.  Some other small

items need to be ordered and I have yet to assemble the new intake and

exhaust manifold.



More status to come.



Dave D  , Yes I am crazy

David J. Doddek   Owner SGD Electronics              |pantera@pobox.com

89 T-bird SC,  69 Fairlane w/SGD EFI                     

74 Pantera w/Electromotive Tec-II Twin turbos and Nitros |

Hey, If you are going to go fast, go REEEAAL FAST.       |