[DeTomaso] AJ READY TO GO Re: Pantera near ready to go

[Mad Dog Antenucci]

AJ is too modest to report on his Pantera progress but sounds like he is damn close to being good to go.....go AJ!
 
Mad Dawg Antenucci 
Team Pantera Racing 
The 1st & still the only vintage race team in open road racing 
www.teampanteraracing.com




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From: Asa Jay Laughton <asajay at asajay.com>
To: Mad Dog Antenucci <teampantera at yahoo.com>
Sent: Thu, March 18, 2010 11:05:27 PM
Subject: Pantera near ready to go

I spent tonight installing the harnesses.  A bit tight on the console side, not much room there, but I got them installed.  I used new grade 8 bolts with some washers for stack to give me just enough room for the belt to move.  I'm foregoing the roll cage at the moment.  I have a local friend who is a wiz at welding, built his own tube frames, roll bars, cages, etc.  I didn't know him until late last year.  He's willing to help me make a few tweaks on the cage before final install.  He thought Dick's design was very nice by the way.

So in went the harness bar between the shoulder bolts.  Not optimum but should do for the low speed stuff I'm planning on this weekend.  I know the car's not strictly built for it, but I'm going to pound the pavement with some autocrossers just to get my head into the game.  If all goes well, I'm shooting for a driving school the first weekend of April.  It's on a larger track at Spokane Raceway, 10 turns and a long strait that doubles as the quarter mile for NHRA.  That should be interesting.

Checked both front wheel bearings, good to go.  I think my thunk is due to the lower shock bushings.  I didn't want to spend $400 for all new bushings when I could just as well get new shocks for about twice that.  Oh well, now I have a noise, I'll have to fix that later.

Got the GEN light sorted out.  Mis-wired.  Moved the wire to the right side of the starter solenoid so it was shared with the battery, (go figure) so now it charges properly.

Mounted the fire extinguisher to the  harness bar using hose clamps.  Nice and solid and saved me from drilling holes.

The crotch strap you sent is too short for me.  I'll need to order a new one.  I just might order a whole new harness actually, but right now it's just barely where it needs to be.  Once I'm strapped in fully dressed it's still a bit low.  I'll have that sorted before doing an ORR, and probably before the school.  I purchased a second identical harness and found the crotch strap was plenty long for proper adjustment.  If nothing else, I'll swap them.

Tomorrow morning, I have someone coming over to see about some paintless dent removal.  If you look at this photo:
http://www.teampanteraracing.com/index.php?option=com_g2bridge&view=gallery&Itemid=57&g2_itemId=356
you'll notice three dents right at the body line on the side.  They've been there since I got the car.  Well, I'm planning on some graphics there so I'd like to see if I can get it smoothed out without having to do the entire bodywork/paint thing... which I can -not- afford.

Tomorrow afternoon, I go for a Tech Inspection, required to take the driving school.  If all goes well, I'll get myself signed up.

I'll probably also look to install some new side mirrors, the Vitalonis I got from Boyd last year.  When I drove it Sunday, with the cage fitted, I only had the rear view mirror on the drivers side.  -THAT- was just a little disconcerting.  :)

I pray things are going well with you.
Asa Jay

-- 
Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
& Shelley Marie
Spokane, WA
******************************     
http://www.asajay.com   ***   http://www.teampanteraracing.com