[DeTomaso] Another Pantera myth? Half shaft bolts

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/28/11 14 39 21, oldwheel at shaw.ca writes:


> Well actually, the factory Ford Pantera workshop manual shows the 
> opposite
> on page 16-10-04. I have an original manual. It would be harder to see in 
> a
> photocopy. In at least three photos, the bolts are shown installed with 
> the
> flange nuts installed toward the ZF transaxle. This makes more sense to me
> and allows using full size shank bolts which is what the original design
> was. If you insist on fiddling them through backwards, you would be in 
> great
> difficulty using the stock Ford bolts. (I tried it) But if you use
> aftermarket bolts with a slightly smaller shank, you can do it backwards
> fairly easily. Maybe just another Pantera myth?
> 

I think it's a myth too.   Bolts go in from the outside, facing the center 
of the car, and Nylock nuts (not flange nuts) on the inside.

I was at Lloyd Butfoy's shop in January and he showed me a gearbox that had 
been installed with the bolts facing backwards (outwards).   It mangled the 
iron side covers of the gearbox to put them in that way, he said it was a 
pretty dumb idea.   It *is* possible, but very difficult, and totally 
unnecesary.

Mike