[DeTomaso] Question re: push button or earliest Pantera mufflers
MikeLDrew at aol.com
MikeLDrew at aol.com
Sat Apr 22 06:41:29 EDT 2017
In a message dated 4/21/17 10 01 9, mghibli7 at hotmail.com writes:
Can anybody tell me if the exhaust system that came on the very first
panteras had a different muffler hanger system?
>>>This took a little research. Yes, as it turns out, the very first
series of mufflers used a different attachment system. I don't believe any of
these were found on USA cars, i.e. they are only on pre-USA European
pushbutton cars. Instead of a flat tab welded to one corner of the muffler where
it joins the pipe, there were a pair of tabs welded to the pipe itself.
This was probably a very poor setup and done away with almost immediately.
Looking at your photos, I can't see any evidence of any tab mounted in the
corner of the muffler can?
Can you see any evidence of a pair of vertical tabs broken off from the
pipe a few inches ahead of the muffler can?
Here is a diagram of what I *think* you have:
http://www.panterasbywilkinson.com/2016/ill17e.html
This is what the early 1971 USA mufflers looked like:
http://www.panterasbywilkinson.com/2016/ill17d.html
>My cars have all been '73/'74 but among the parts I got with one car was
an Ansa muffler that doesn't have the L bracket welded to the muffler and
pipe. I'm wondering if the very first Panteras came with some sort of clamp
type mount that attached around the pipe rather than the bracket that is welded
to the pipe and muffler.
>>>Apparently it was a couple of vertical tabs.
>Aside from that the muffler seems to be slightly smaller than the later
ones.
>>>Yes, the first and second series mufflers were very small. There is an
error in the USA De Tomaso parts book, which lists physical dimensions for
the first and second series that are different from one another. In fact,
the first and second series were exactly the same, but the third series used
a much larger muffler can. The European parts book shows this more
clearly. Those were used on only a few hundred cars in the late 1971/early 1972
timeframe, before the 'standard' muffler was introduced. (There are no
mentions of the size of the standard muffler in any of the parts books).
>That being said, I have this one right side I don't need if anybody is
looking for one or would like it.
While not perfect, as it has some pitting on the chrome, and what appears
to be shelf wear on the wrinkle finish, it is in very good condition. I don't
think has ever been mounted on a car, but if it was, it was only for a very
short time. It also doesn't look like it was ever modified, the wrinkle
finish paint is consistent throughout.
>>>It's certainly an interesting curio--it's too bad you don't have a pair
to offer up, as they are very difficult to find, and a key part of a proper
restoration for a pushbutton or early 1971 Pantera!
Mike
-------------- next part --------------
In a message dated 4/21/17 10 01 9, mghibli7 at hotmail.com writes:
Can anybody tell me if the exhaust system that came on the very first
panteras had a different muffler hanger system?
>>>This took a little research. Yes, as it turns out, the very first
series of mufflers used a different attachment system. I don't believe
any of these were found on USA cars, i.e. they are only on pre-USA
European pushbutton cars. Instead of a flat tab welded to one corner
of the muffler where it joins the pipe, there were a pair of tabs
welded to the pipe itself. This was probably a very poor setup and
done away with almost immediately. Looking at your photos, I can't see
any evidence of any tab mounted in the corner of the muffler can?
Can you see any evidence of a pair of vertical tabs broken off from the
pipe a few inches ahead of the muffler can?
Here is a diagram of what I *think* you have:
http://www.panterasbywilkinson.com/2016/ill17e.html
This is what the early 1971 USA mufflers looked like:
http://www.panterasbywilkinson.com/2016/ill17d.html
>My cars have all been '73/'74 but among the parts I got with one car
was an Ansa muffler that doesn't have the L bracket welded to the
muffler and pipe. I'm wondering if the very first Panteras came with
some sort of clamp type mount that attached around the pipe rather than
the bracket that is welded to the pipe and muffler.
>>>Apparently it was a couple of vertical tabs.
>Aside from that the muffler seems to be slightly smaller than the
later ones.
>>>Yes, the first and second series mufflers were very small. There is
an error in the USA De Tomaso parts book, which lists physical
dimensions for the first and second series that are different from one
another. In fact, the first and second series were exactly the same,
but the third series used a much larger muffler can. The European
parts book shows this more clearly. Those were used on only a few
hundred cars in the late 1971/early 1972 timeframe, before the
'standard' muffler was introduced. (There are no mentions of the size
of the standard muffler in any of the parts books).
>That being said, I have this one right side I don't need if anybody is
looking for one or would like it.
While not perfect, as it has some pitting on the chrome, and what
appears to be shelf wear on the wrinkle finish, it is in very good
condition. I don't think has ever been mounted on a car, but if it was,
it was only for a very short time. It also doesn't look like it was
ever modified, the wrinkle finish paint is consistent throughout.
>>>It's certainly an interesting curio--it's too bad you don't have a
pair to offer up, as they are very difficult to find, and a key part of
a proper restoration for a pushbutton or early 1971 Pantera!
Mike
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