DeTomaso Mailing List: April 99, Message #80

In a message dated 4/2/99 1:15:40 PM, sedond@ors.od.nih.gov writes:
snip.......
<< can anyone tell me what the stuff on the engine tag indicates?  i'm 
interested
in determining the factory compression ratio, etc - i wanna make sure if i 
run a
cam w/lift of .540, i'm gonna have proper piston/valve clearance.  >>

Doug, there are guys that can decode the tags, but don't rely on this. The 
DeTomaso Pantera is the most-modified sports car in history, and your machine 
is 27 years old. Literally anything could be hiding in there.... There is (or 
should be) a white-w/-black-lettering 'engine number' tag on the left rear 
inner wheelwell (also found on the big tag above the brake/clutch pedals). 
This 4-digit number should match a stamped number on the left rear of the 
engine block, just below the head. This will tell you if you even have the 
original block. 4-V means big-valve/big-port heads as should be, but beyond 
that, you're gonna have to take stuff apart & measure or at least visually 
verify; for instance, a 4-bolt-main block cannot be told from a 2-bolt 
externally. Cam, timing, carb(s) etc can be anything. IMHO, the OEM 600cfm 
Motorcraft carb was an invention of the Devil; thankfully 98% of them were 
replaced decades ago by Holleys etc of various sizes & models. I'd start a 
record for your car as to what you've got there before deciding to change too 
much, especially since it runs OK now. Then, make a second list of what you 
think you want to change, and get an armload of prices. Thus the saga 
begins..... My 2¢- J DeRyke