[DeTomaso] That Slippery Slope

[Thomas Borcich]

Jack thanks once again. Will mentioned the Boss bolts also and thought the stock rods might already have them....but he didn't know I have the Cobra Jet 72 engine. That's awesome about the Boss 351 bolts, no resizing is what I wanted
to do but the machinist said not with ARP bolts and I didn't realize
that the boss 351 had better bolts. Thats also great because I don't have to have the bottom end re-balanced. Those bolts are getting ordered on Monday.

Yes the new Armando pan is sitting ready to go on, that's what started the whole rod bolt question (while I'm at it...its a disease we all get). Yes the better oil pump drive shaft is also on the list. I'll also check on valve to piston clearance with the  new cam...great suggestion.THANKS AGAIN!

Tom Borcich



From: JDeRyke at aol.com
Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:12:07 -0500
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] That Slippery Slope
To: tborcich at msn.com; detomaso at realbig.com

In a message dated 1/18/09 11:38:55 AM, tborcich at msn.com writes:

snip.....

I'm probably going to put a slightly hotter cam than whats there now 498 int/518 exh. I'd like to go to 550-600 lift? and for sure SS one piece valves, new springs, retainers, keepers and will probably clean up the casting flash just under the valves and polish the exhaust ports and roller rockers.



Your present list of parts is great for a hot street engine. But up above 0.550" valve lift is where the valves and piston crowns start to get over-friendly with each other, so for safety's sake you'll need to check valve-to-piston clearances. If the check shows too little clearance- especially on the exhausts, there are slip-in cutters that position through the cylinder heads and use the valve guides to hold the cutter in the right position. Obviously, this is easiest done with the engine out of the car, and it means stripping a single head (or using any spare Cleveland head). Cams can be replaced with the engine installed.

As for the rod bolts, for direct replacement use Boss 351 bolts AND NUTS- 180,000-psi with a 'football'-shaped head rather than the squarish-pentroof stockers. P/n D1ZZ-6214-A (Boss bolt) and D1ZZ-6214-B (Boss nut). These high-strength economically priced bolts can be replaced one at a time without affecting your rod sizing. A check of the rod bearings will tell you if any rod needs rework; the used bearing should show even wear over the whole surface with zero copper visible. One part you didn't list is a 10-quart oil pan and believe me, this is VITAL in a Pantera- even on the street. Aviaid or Armando are your only choices, along with a stock oil pump, not high-anything, and an aftermarket oil pump driveshaft (about $15). 

Good luck- J Deryke (waaay down the slope.....)


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