[DeTomaso] Two Pantera Questions

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/17/08 21 07 34, Pantera007 at provamo.com writes:


> 
> Actually the reason the factory changed the rear ZF mount (I believe)
> is that with one (rear) mount and two front mounts, the ZF can much more 
> easily
> twist under the applied torque. 
> I do not have evidence (photos) of damage caused by the "early" mount, so I 
> am
> "surmising".
> 
>>>That's true.   What would happen is that the Dash-1 gearbox would twist 
under torque, and crack the mounting lugs on the bellhousing, or (more 
frequently), the cast sideplates.   The improved mounting system coincided and 
paralleled the development of a different bellhousing arrangement, and different 
sideplates.

GT40s used the same sideplates as the Mangusta and Dash-1 Panteras, but they 
cast up about a hundred sets in aluminum to save weight.   Those were found to 
be structurally weak in the GT40, and most were replaced with cast iron as a 
result of cracks that developed.   Most of the Pantera Dash-1 gearboxes got 
the cast iron sideplates, but some Mangustas and a few Panteras received the 
aluminum ones, apparently.
> 
> >Sometimes DeTomaso changed things to be easier, sometimes cheaper, 
> sometimes because
> Ford made him, and sometimes it was "better".
> 
> Which was the reason in this case?  I don't know.
> 
> >>>This was a rare instance where the change made it more expensive to 
produce, not less, but the net result was better.

Mike
> 


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