[DeTomaso] (Clutch) viewing hole cover

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/11/12 5:46:18 AM, rob at dumoulins.net writes:

> I bought one from Hall my last parts shipment. It was a one-piece black 
> rubber plug. Problem is, on the bell housing of my '71, there are two 
> smaller holes.  Are the early cars different?  Is it the ZF or the housing?  
> 
The early cars with a dash-1-1/2 ZF (LLoyd Butfoy's term for what you have: 
a transition Pantera differential carrier with a Mangusta transmission) had 
a completely different bellhousing with two smaller holes so Hall's plug 
won't fit. Your system has extra ventillation with its two holes but one thing 
you can do to help it live is to remove the two side bolts going from the 
bellhousing to each side of your ZF. Engine torque loosens the side bolts 
which then cracks the ears on the ZF side plates, sometimes bad enough to dump 
all the lubrication, wasting the whole ZF if you don't instantly notice. 
There are practically no spare parts for those particular transaxles, by the 
way. Gearing was different, shaft diameters amd lengths were different.... 
there's a long list of things changed. Good luck- J DeRyke