[DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 66, Issue 4-100, 000 mile engine

[rcbsons1 at aol.com]

I had some very hard questions from my engine
builder as to how I was going to use my Pantera
They can build a motor that has 20 hours of track time,
40 hours, 60 hours and maybe 80 hours... a lot depending
on compression and the type of rings...His biggest concern
was the Orr... running for 40 minutes vs common 20 minute
track runs... I elected 9.8 compression and a 60 hour motor
of track time... car does run on the street about twice a week
I do run to car shows etc and have roughly 22 hours on the motor
for so called track time... my fellow Pantera owner Gary
states the engine is edgey as it will about knock you out
of the car if in the cam.... I love it
 
I decided since blowing up so many engines in past cars
lets get an aftermarket block- (dart) and no cast parts
for crank, rods etc....
 
All these things have kept my engine together but I hate to 
say it the biggest thing has been the oil temp gauge as I
can run a few laps at full tilt and then have to back off
for a lap to get the gauge off the pegged mode... towards
the end of a race I finally say forget it and then go on
without backing off... the motor oil never smells burnt,
the bearings look good so not sure if the gauge is off
or what.
 
Car has had several oil coolers.. going to two this year
along with a guard on my 180's as I have been told
they cook the oil in the valve covers and then a new gauge
as the old one finally quit.. must be from being pegged to often
kinda like my 69 Z28 speedo I broke 3 times from being pegged
 
I think I can run about two more years then I better freshen
it before parts start to fly... Not sure how many miles as the
speedo cable was screwed up for a while
 
And the car weighs 3140 lbs with cage, no ac... dart block
which I think weighs more than the Cleveland, full interior,
chassis braces, 6 pistion wilwoods that have very heavy rotors
Guessing roughly 600 hp at the flywheel
 
Bob Benson #3 Black Pantera