[DeTomaso] 1972 detomaso pantera cooling system

[doug351c]

They're not stock but they are required by most race sanctioning bodies.  A
wise previous owner installed them so you can completely shut off the hot
water to the passenger compartment.  If a heater hose blows in the cabin
while you're racing, very bad things can happen.  I had one blow once during
an autocross; it scalded my leg and blinded me with steam and I almost hit a
pole with the car.  The only way I could stop was to just turn off the key
and let the compression stop the car because the water spray was too hot to
let me keep my legs in the footwell - VERY SCARY !!  I also recommend that
the heater hoses near the heater core in the cabin be replaced every 6 years
with high quality Gates safety stripe heater hose.

Doug Braun
blue 73L #5505

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com
[mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]On Behalf Of LEVITT1946 at aol.com
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 5:56 PM
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Subject: [DeTomaso] 1972 detomaso pantera cooling system

Dear Group,

My Pantera has two water shutoff valves in the rear of the car located
below the coil. Are these valves(1/2") necessary in the Pantera
cooling/heating
 system system? What is their function?

Bob
Team Pantera racing #3196
Gumball3000 #56