In my nearly 20 active years in the DeTomaso community I think the most common topic of discussion has been cooling.
I have no doubt that what Marlin has done on his car delivers satisfactory results in his Badlands adventures. I also have no doubt that the modifications suggested by George in the cooling sticky also work. I’m also sure the modifications done by John Taphorn work. I know owners with original radiators and fans that have fully functional cooling.
What the years have taught me is there are many different, and yet totally successful, approaches to cooling a Pantera.
As for what qualifies as a “successful” cooling system, my advice to newbies has always been this:
If you can exit a freeway after a lengthy drive on a 95° day, then get stuck on city streets in stop and go traffic for 30 minutes and park your car at your destination with no bubbling, gurgling or expansion tank overflow, your cooling system is working just fine.
It basically doesn’t matter what your temperature gauge says, nor does it matter what style radiator, fans, water pump or anything else is installed on your car.
If it works, it is a good system. Period
My 2¢
Larry