[DeTomaso] Engine #'s

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/16/07 13 27 46, wdemelo at cogeco.ca writes:


> How do you tell if the Pantera's engine is original? Is there a code in the 
> VIN that matches to the engine number?
> 

Not in the VIN, but rather on the engine build tag.

There is a metal tag with a five-digit number stamped on it, affixed 
(normally) on the inside of the left rear wheelwell, and another on the top of the box 
that mounts the brake booster, with a cutout for the VIN to show through.  
The engine number is stamped on these tags.   De Tomaso stamped the back of each 
engine block, just below the cylinder head, with this same number.   Often if 
the block is repainted the numbers are filled in and are thus difficult if 
not impossible to read.   But the overwhelming majority of Panteras seem to have 
non-original blocks, with no numbers at all.

Mike Dailey's site has a a page dedicated to VIN plate identification, but 
ironically his car is missing the main plate which goes aroun the VIN!

http://www.panteraplace.com/page110.htm

Chuck Melton's site shows a variety of different ID tags:

http://www.provamo.com/Members/TechInfo/IDBadges.asp?

Mike  


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