DeTomaso Mailing List: May 2000, Message #103

I am sure many of you are wondering if Crazy Dave made it to Vegas or
not.  First he said that he wasn't going because he burnt up EFI and
then the engine made noise, then he said he was.  Well, I am here to
tell you that I DID make it to Vegas and it was in the Pantera.  So what
happened.  Well, it goes like this.   

Yes, I did burn up the EFI computer, sort of.  Smoke did come out of it,
pretty pink smoke too, because the fuel pump relay shorted.  But
apparently I did let ALL the smoke out, because the fuel pump output
still works although the check engine light quit working.  I did not
want to trust the computer for the trip so I bought a new one for $1600
and took it along just in case.  The old one is still working, I just
love wasting money.  Ends up the noise in the engine was not the engine  
but instead an incorrect settings in the EFI computer.  I had sent it in
earlier for service and did not realize that they change the parameters
in the computer that run the engine from what I had.  I loaded in my
settings and Wa-La, it ran fine.  At this point, I told my traveling
partner, Steve Donnegan to come on down and we would try to get ready
for the trip.  In the last couple of days before the trip, we had to
finish the sunk battery box, put new carpet in the front trunk, remove
the proportioning valve, put new carpet in the rear trunk, Change oil in
engine and transaxle and generally clean up and put back together the
car.  Not to mention putting 250 miles on the car for break in.  In the
process of checking out the car, I found the front wheel bearings loose
so decided to tighten them.  As I went to pull a wheel off, I ripped the
threads off of one of the studs.  Well this is just wonderful.  The bolt
froze solid and I had to take a Dremel tool to cut off the nut.  
Fortunately I had studs from my old rear wheel bearing job.  Then when
tightening the front wheel bearings, I noticed the grease was really dry
and nasty, so I removed the bearings, cleaned them and repacked them.  
Luckily the bearings were in good shape and could be reused.  I also put
the front sway bar in and just for grins, added some oil to the rack.

OK, go to bed and pack the next morning.  We get up Monday morning,  put
the deck lid on and pack the car.  Hop in, turn the key and NOTHING.  No
click, no RrRr, Nothing.  Seems some moron left the key on all night ala
dead battery.  Well S***.  And my battery is to packed below luggage and
a screwed down cover.  So its climb under the car, hook the jumper
cables up to the starter solenoid, and hook it up to the lawn mower.  It
is amazing the power of a lawn mower battery.  Car started right up and
we were off.  Just get a little gas and we were out of town.

On luggage item we had little room for were the big magnetic circles to
put the car numbers on so we just stuck them on the hood and roof, thus
a poka-dot car.  Later I got the bright idea to add a number 1 to the
circles.  Things went fine the first day even with driving in the rain
for almost half the day.  Yes, I said RAIN.  Good thing I added some
more Silicone caulk to the windshield the night before.  First stop is
Columbia MO for Food and Gas and to let Steve drive.  This was his first
time EVER driving a Pantera.  It seemed he found 3rd gear easily.  Found
third in 1st, and found third in 5th.  Well at least he found 1 gear.  I
stayed awake this time watching for the cone zone.  Remember the Cone
Zone from last trip??  Never found the exact spot, but had good jokes
the whole way every time we passed a construction area.  I even swore I
saw one cone try and jump out of the back of a truck to get us.  Car and
Steve are running fine, so I get some small naps.  Our next stop for gas
is in Salina Ks where I start to drive again.  Steve is calculating gas
mileage and finds that he drove 50 miles more than I did.  I told him be
prepared to drive.  He calculates the gas mileage and finds he got
01mpg better than I did.  I got 18.39 and he got 18.4.  Da** him
anyway.  I am driving now and it is starting to get dark.  We get a
little hungry so we stop in somewhere KS at Applebee's to eat.  Now what
is an Applebee's doing it this little down?  Anyway we are thankful and
head off to Colby KS to where we plan to stay for the night.  A little
more rain is in order before we get there.  About Midnight we get to
Colby KS and bed down for the night.  I now discover that Steve snores
like a chainsaw.  I end up sleeping by the heater on the floor as well
as most of the rest of the stops to try and drown out his harmony.

Next morning comes and I discover a big problem.  I forgot to pack
underwear!!  We do a quick stop by a Radio Shack to get some new jumper
wires for emergency which I also forgot and then on for Gas and
Underwear.  We think about whether to get gas then undies or undies then
gas.  It is decided that undies then gas could be dangerous.  At the
service station I check the oil and car for leaks.  I find a small oil
leak in a turbo drain line that is amplified because the turbo drain
line is trying to kink.  It isn't bad so we just add oil and are on our
way.  At this point we are 753 miles into the trip according to the
odometer.   Next stop is Pantera Performance Center in Colorado.   One
mile into the morning we see a big flash across the hood.  What the H.  
One of the round number circles just blew off.  We back up along the
interstate and I run out and grab it just after a truck runs over it.  
Not hurt too bad, but I just put it in the trunk and we go on our way.  
As we progress along I check the Speedo with the GPS system.  Seems the
25.5 inch tires make the Speedo a little off.  About 4 mph at 80 and
thus 8 mph at 160.  Rats, means the odometer is off too.  Oh well, we
cruse right along and every now and then I have to remind Steve that he
is doing over 90.  Not much later Steve passes a cop going the other way
who turns his lights on and turns around.  Steve is worried and getting
ready to get is first Pantera speeding ticket.  Luckily the Cop was just
patrolling a construction area and by coincidence turned his lights on
to turn around.  We are safe for now.  We get into Castle Rock and I try
and remember where Pantera Performance is.  A wrong turn 1 block off
nets us a little Half hour out of the way detour.  We almost do an
unmanly thing and ask directions but a little back tracking and we find
the correct spot.  Boy is the sign small.  Rae reminds me that I am late
and after an apology, we get the little tour.  There were some nice
things there including a Pantera with a Vortec blower driven off the
clutch and a spare fiberglass body.  I decide to check on my Oil leak
and with Rae's permission I pull the car into the shop and use the jack.
I improvise a clamp around the hose to force it round and add a couple
of wire ties.  Other wise everything is fine.  We buy a new set of
brakes to replace the ones that failed and said our good buys.  
 Up to this point the car has ran cool.  As we now head up into the
mountains it starts to run up to about 200 degrees so I turn on the
fans.  Power is fine and the engine just loves the load.  Sound is
beautiful in the 3 inch exhaust which has no mufflers.  I just love the
drive through the Rockes, it is most gorgeous.  We decide to eat lunch
as we pass Vail CO.  I pull in to the exit and the car dies.  Ok what
now.  Seems I just have the idle set too low for the high altitude.  
Keep my foot on it and it runs OK.  We leave Vail and right away we have
to detour.  A car has rolled over in the middle of the interstate.  The
drive continues without incident until we gas up in Grand Junction CO.  
As I pull into the gas station the fuel pump is sounding funny.  Of
course I get worried.  This is a non standard part.  I hope we make it
to Vegas.  Turns out that for some odd reason, the tone of the pump
changed due to the gasoline in the tank being warmer.  We put new gas in
the tank and it returns to normal sound.  That is weird.  Steve now
drives again as it is getting dark.  We head into Utah and a strip of
road that has no services for 150 miles.  I inform Steve not to break
down here or it will be a LOOONNNG walk.  Everything is fine as Steve
enjoys the mountain curves.  We arrive in Richfield UT about 10 PM.  I
know it was 10 PM because the restaurant next to the hotel closed just
as we walked in.  So we just head down the street and find somewhere
else to get a bite.  Back to the hotel and I send the Dave is Goin'
email and make it sound like we just left Illinois.  I sleep on the
floor again.
Next morning is perfect.  We gas up and I grab some fat pills
(doughnuts).  Steve takes the first leg of the trip.  As we approach the
gas/driver change spot in St Peters UT, we get a big scare.  Coming into
the off ramp we hear a blood curdling sound.  The rattle of a broken
valve.  OH FU**!!  Carefully we pull into the gas station and I pop the
hood for an inspection.  Seems the problem is the bolts fell out of the
exhaust and the stainless steel gasket was vibrating.  Fortunately there
was an Ace Hardware just behind the gas station so we can get bolts.  I
was so nervous I almost got sick right there.  After a cool down period
(exhaust was 1350 deg) and a rest for me we work on the exhaust.  We
find that the bolts came out because the back hanger came loose because
someone forgot to use a locknut. Wonder who that was.  All fixed and
only an hour and a half behind schedule we are back on the road.  We
roll into the Plaza parking lot  right around 1:30.

After a little socializing we decide to go get a car wash since we cant
get room keys yet.  It was really dirty from the rain.  Remember the
RAIN I drive in.  That happens with street driven cars.  Back and we get
unpacked.  We find out that Steve has no button.  I go down to ask why
and they didn't make on since they claim I did not put down a second
name on the list.  I could swore I send an email about Steve coming.  In
fact, they had canceled my room based on my email to the forum.  Gee,
someone took me too serious.  Luckily they found a room for me.  Rest of
the day we just visit.  Next morning I go out before it gets hot and
change to the new back brake pads.  I also remember hearing a clunk in
the front so I jack it up and check it out too.  HMM, nothing loose.  Oh
well, lets give a once over.  While checking the brake flood I am
alerted to my clunk.  The master cylinder is loose.  Now who left those
bolts loose?  As I move the car around I notice a slight valve noise but
it is not bad so I just brush it off.  Remember this.  The rest of the
afternoon we just visit.  I work  little with Curt doing the WebCam and
help Gary Hall move in his display of cars and stuff.   That evening we
get the chance to park on Fremont.  This is a new display down in front
of the Race Rock café.  They hope to make this a new thing.

Next day is track day.  An early wakeup call (guard knocking on the
door) and we are out to the lot waiting on the caravan.  Now where is
everyone.  Finally we decide to follow the only person who has said that
they are leaving for the track.  At the track we finish signing up, went
do the drivers meeting and got ready for the day of fun.  First trip
around the track  and the car was running fine.  Handling great too.  
Second session Steve rode along.  He decided not to do that any more.  
Claims I was too crazy and he did not have 5-pt harnesses.  Besides I
need to install the new seat belts that came in the morning we left as
mine are a little questionable in quality.  Third session I got out just
behind Ed Kornegey.  He is a good driver.  I let another Miata pass me
that seemed to be a fast car.  I followed him around the course to get
his line.  For 5 laps I was right on his tail.  I found out later he had
R1 tires and a turbo.  He posted lap times from 2:10 down to 2:04.  So
this means I was turning some good lap times and I was running street
rubber.  I did find out that the oil pan I made is not totally
functional.  Left hand turns are ok, but in a long right hand I drop to
about 25 psi.  I feel if I had not had the slight oiling problem and
would of not been trying to be easy on a new engine, I feel I could of
turned a 2:00 lap or better.  Steve left early because he had had enough
of the sun.  Good thing too, I got a little too much sun so I sat laid
down in Curt's SUV for a short nap.  Feeling better I watched the race
and then came the last session of the day.  Now was my turn with the
instructor.  I found out I had been Apexing too early.  With a little
advice which I could barely hear over the engine, I managed to run a
couple of perfect laps.  Wish I had times on those.  I did spin once in
the day.  Right off the bat with the instructor.  You know those guys
just distract ya.  Even the corner worker where I spun said she noticed
people spin only when the instructor was in the car.  Makes ya wonder.  
After we were done for the day I noticed that valve tick getting louder.
I hoped it was nothing.  So well, pack up and drive back to the hotel.  
The Instructor left his hat in the car so I will have to give that back
to him.

I get back to the Hotel and that Tick is getting really loud.  I am
going to have to look into this.  No time tonight thought, I have to
give an EFI lecture.  Some people don't get to attend because of the
late time but we still attract about 10 people.  One of the people tells
me later he is able to get into a conversation about EFI someone else is
having about their car so I guess things went well.  After that I just
partied some more.  Talked to Steve and he seems to be having a real
good time.  Saturday morning I decide to check on that Tick.  Must be an
infection from being around Gerry Romack's car.  I determine it is
coming from the passenger side so I start on the lengthy process of
pulling off a valve cover.  I have to remove part of the turbo, oil
lines, fuel lines and bend the snot out of the dipstick tube.  I get the
thing off and start the engine.  I rubber hose stethoscope finds the
noise and holding on the #4 exhaust rocker I verify it.  I pull the #4
rockers off for inspection.  One is fine but the push rod on the other
is worn badly on the rocker end.  It is time for me to go to sit on the
Tech Session panel so I do that for 2 hours.  Next off I try to find
Larry Stock.  He had valve problems the day before and I know he has
some spare push rods.  After a long search I find him on Freemont St and
persuade him to search through his trailer.  After a short search we
come up with a bag of pushrods that Alan Foster had loaned him.  I
gladly grab them and head out to put my car back together as people are
wondering why parts of my engine are on the roof.  Drop one of the
suckers in and put the rockers back on.  Start the engine up and it is
purring quietly again, well as quiet as a Cleveland can be.  I get the
engine back together just in time for the Banquet.   

I meet up with Steve in the hospitality lounge and find out he has done
well in the casino so he bought a bunch of raffle tickets.  We talk to
some people in line, go in and have some food.  I get cornered and given
raffle tickets to sell since I am a chapter pres.  As I walk around
selling them I talk to more people and run into a guy who also has done
some turbo work.  Seems like he knows what he is doing so I might just
have to go to Pocono and see his car.  Track and show awards are given
out.  Then comes the "lets all stand up".  As mileages are called out,
people sit down.  It gets down to only three of us.  One person who I
cannot remember his name drove 2600 miles on an out of the way trip to
Vegas.  AsaJay drove out if his way to take a 1500 mile trip up to 2200.
Boy those people will do anything to beat Dave's 1800 mile one way
straight across country journey.  Although I forgot to mention the extra
mileage on the way back since I am going Via LA and Ely NV.  Three Long
distance Plaques are given out.  As the raffle begins we all have out
tickets ready.  Some people don't like the idea of the phone/internet
sales.  We go along and prizes are given out, the prizes get better and
better.  Finally one of the best prizes, a $1000 gift certificate is
drawn.  Buddy Steve wins it!!!!!  Now remember, Steve does not have a
Pantera!  He walks back to the table and says "Dave you SOB, thanks for
the trip" and Hands it to me.  Now this is a genuine friend, Thanks
Steve.  Now I can buy some of those dress up items I have been wanting.  
After the raffle, I head into the Karaoke party and watch as people have
fun.  I grab the opportunity to have my picture taken between Ms Pantera
and another nice looking lady.  Judy, don't forget to send me a copy of
that photo.  That's a Keeper.

Next morning we load the car, grab some Fat Pills, get Mad Dogs home
phone number, say our good buys and head toward LA.  I just about choke
as I have to gas up the car for $1.999/gal at the border.  The trip to
LAX is uneventful except for the wrong turn getting to the airport.  I
take pictures of my car with Steve next to it and warn him this will be
his mug shot if anything happens to my car.  You see, he took the car
from LAX to Mad Dogs house where it will be stored for three weeks until
I return for Silver State.  The day ends with a near perfect flight back
to Illinois.  Since I wore my tires in the front down pretty bad on the
track, I order a new set and have them send to Mad Dogs house.  If you
don't get them in a few days Dennis, give me a ring.  Steve has
Volunteered to change my oil while the car is there so we sill be all
ready for our SS run.

Once again Crazy Dave pulls off another last minute Vegas trip including
engine repairs in the Hotel parking lot.  Beware, I will be back in
three weeks.  Mothers, lock your daughters up.  Last gas mileage check
after I adjusted the fuel pressure and I got nearly 20 MPG.  HA, beat
Steve.

Dave "getting more certifiable each day" D

PS, Mad Dog, I am bringing you a Red Wig for Silver State.