DeTomaso Mailing List: June 2001, Message #209

I've been exchanging e-mails fast and furiously with a couple people off-list, trying to quickly figure out a plan of action. If this forum didn't exist, I would be so SOL it isn't funny. 

Here's what I've learned. I liked Mike's theory about interference between the roller rockers and the valve covers, but there are no marks on the inside of the valve covers, so I think it is ok. The shop removed all the baffles anyway, except for the ones next to the oil filler and PVC valve. There's not a lot left to interfere with! 

The pushrod lost its tip on the LIFTER side, and not on the ROLLER ROCKER side. I don't think I realized this yesterday. This gives me doubts about the condition of the lifter. They are going to try to shine a light down there and see if they see and nice, pretty, shiny receptacle or if the lifter is all chewed up by not having a tip on the pushrod. 

They are also going to check the valve to see if it was bent from the side loading. They are going to pull a couple other pushrods to see what they look like and make sure that it is an isolated case and not a symptom of something else "really bad". They are going to flush the oil and see if they find the missing tip, or if it has gone to join all my missing socks and has simply vanished. Anything I'm missing?

I called Powerheads last night, and they are Fed-Exing me a replacement hardened pushrod and retainer, since they originally supplied both. I tried calling Harland Sharp, but they close at 3:30EST so there was no answer. Usually, calling from Europe I have to  wait for businesses to open. This is the first time where they have already been closed when I needed them. I'll call today and have them Fed-ex me a roller rocker. 

So if the damage is limited to those parts, the parts will be here by Friday/Monday and I'll be in business. If the lifter or valve is damaged, it may be trickier. Does anyone know how to change a solid lifter without taking the intake out?

Again, it is the lifter side of the pushrod that lost  its tip. Why would this happen? I'm still not sure. 

Anyway, I'll keep everyone posted. The race with time is on. 7 calendar days from now the car need to be ready for 5,000 kilometers...

Charlie McCall
1972 DeTomaso Pantera #3847 (for sale)
1985 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S #9375
"Raising Pantera Awareness across Europe"
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/gt5s_1985