[DeTomaso] 1972 Gumball Detomaso Pantera engine pulling.

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/5/09 10:39:00 AM, LEVITT1946 at aol.com writes:

> I broke all rivets on the fuel retaining wall but still the retaining 
> wall does not come out. Any recommendations?
> 
Check again. The stock shield is only rivited but there are brackets front 
and back on the frame & up on the firewall; owners do weird things if a 
noise occurs so there may be additions. You can use small sheet metal screws 
thru the original rivit holes once the thing is out. Also, is this a stock 
aluminum/asbestos/aluminum sandwich shield, or is it a stainless steel overlay? 
Dunno how the shiny stuff is held in.
Things to replace: the throwout bearing and the pilot bushing in the end of 
the crankshaft; both wear slowly but its such a job getting to them and 
their cost is so low, I recommend replacing both ANY time the engine is out, 
just for insurance. Good luck- J Deryke