Reply to "sump/ oilpan question"

Peter, if you plan on driving the Pantera in Europe with its higher speed roads, I suggest you NOT fix the OEM sump. It may be a blessing in disguise. There are three possible stock pans and the best of the lot still will not control the oil in turns, which can and has caused the loss of rod & main bearings; in one case, a connecting rod was lost.

An Aviaid 10-qt pan will control the oil on all Panteras including full-on roadracers, holds more to start with (I run about 8 qts) and is one of the few aftermarket parts that really is a bolt-in. Do the job right and pull the engine & ZF, cut the under-engine crossmember out of the subframe and either make it removable or scratch-build one that is removable with the engine in place. The lower rear a-arm attach bolts will hold the crossmember securely. The stock e-brake bracket must also be made removable but all that's necessary with the bracket is to cut the welds and use a piece of angle-iron to bolt it back in its original position. Note- a removable crossmember & e-brake bracket was stock on Panteras built after Ford departed the scene in '74, so its an upgrade rather than a mod.

Once the engine/ZF is out, pull the gas tank and clean/inspect the area behind the tank. That area is prone to collect debris, and rusts. It is normally inaccessible even for inspections.