Reply to "George, tell us about your motor..."

Mooso,

My Pantera's motor is 100% stock! This always comes as a surprise to others, but the circumstances are very simple to understand. I purchased the car because it was a rust free, un-molested stock Pantera with 60,000 miles on the odo. I disconnected the egr, set the idle, and have been driving it regularly since I purchased it in June 2004.

The dual point distributor has problems and the carb needs a rebuild. But I just keep driving it. I planned on pulling the motor & transaxle last month, but instead drove the car to my mother's before Christmas, I figured with as busy as that holiday season is, I wouldn't have time to work on it anyway. This month Coz insisted I drive the car to Phoenix over last weekend (glad I did), plus a friend asked to go for a ride which I gave her the weekend before. I have also promised another Pantera owner we would go for a drive together before I take the car out of commission. Here it is, nearing the end of January. The wet months are the time to take the car down for maintenance here in So Cal, we'll be half way through the wet season by February.

Truth is, I would much rather drive it than work on it. I'm living a 30 year old dream.

I am planning motor work. My goals are to maintain drivability & reliability, keep the motor looking stock, and to practice what I've been preaching. Keep in mind, my car is used extensively for traveling long distances, for driving to work & around town, for "fun outings" and caravans with other owners. I don't intend to ever put it on a track, I don't like participating in car shows. I don't want the baddest motor on the block, or anything like that. You can't see my motor either, its hidden by the trunk tub, which is ALWAYS in place, ready to hit the road.

With those uses in mind, my motor will run a factory crank, ported iron 4V closed chamber heads, and a hydraulic roller cam. I most likely will not run an off the shelf cam, but will use my own specs. I'm not sure what I'll do for the induction system, I have a couple of good choices laying on the shelf.

For sure, before spring, I will install a new cooling system, a new ignition, a Boss 351 intake manifold (for looks and because it has no egr) & rebuild the oem Autolite carburetor. Or maybe I'll install a Shelby intake and Holley Dominator carb I have on the shelf. Other work I will accomplish this year includes the new Kirk Evans quad headlights and installation of Momo seats. I have a block sitting in my garage, if the budget allows, I'll begin building my motor this summer too. If I can resist jumping in the hot tub with the girls all the time.

Your friend on the DTBB, George