[DeTomaso] Engine/distributor questions

MikeLDrew at aol.com MikeLDrew at aol.com
Sun Dec 16 13:12:26 EST 2007


Hi guys, with a special ping for Dan Jones,

My buddy Stephane Bergeron in Paris, owner of pushbutton #1256, which has 
been undergoing a slow-motion restoration complete with upgrades such as a 
427-inch Windsor, big brakes, etc. etc. etc., finally got tired of having a project 
but not a Pantera, so he took the expedient of purchasing a second Pantera.

It's a 1979 Euro GTS, #9119, built on a GT5-S-style chassis.   

http://members.aol.com/mikeldrew/StephanePanteraGTS.zip

The previous owner had picked it up with a forklift and stuck it high up on a 
mezzanine in a warehouse where it then sat for more than ten years.   So 
Stephane now has to recommission it for the road.

The questions he/I have are:

1)   What kind of 351C is this car likely to have?   As a 1979 model I would 
think that it was built with an Australian 351C, but I know not all "Aussie" 
motors are equal.   Some are quite desirable, others are dogs.   How can he 
tell what he has?   Aren't there some fitment issues with motors of this period, 
i.e. non-standard distributors?   Thomas, didn't you have all sorts of fun and 
games with this one?

2)   He wants to replace the stock dual-point ignition system.   The default 
answer seems to be small-base MSD distributor, but the ones I have (and have 
seen) have mechanical advance only.   Does anybody know if MSD is making a 
small-base distributor with a vacuum advance setup?   Also, MSD makes a 'ready to 
run' distributor, which does what exactly?   Get rid of the need for an 
external MSD6AL box, integrating those electronics into the body of the distributor 
itself?   What other ignition suggestions might you have?   Remember that r
eliability is crucial, as you can't pop into your neighborhood Kragen's to pick 
up spare parts in rural France!

Stephane isn't on the forum so please hit 'reply all' with your answers so he 
can get them directly.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mike


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