Reply to "ZF - 1 vs ZF - 2"

FWIW, I've never seen a true dash-1 ZF in a Pantera. Instead, what Lloyd Butfoy calls a "dash 1-1/2" ZF is a Pantera type (dash-2) upside-down-cast differential case with a Mangusta type (dash-1) transmission bolted on, with a Pantera end cap. These were normally found only in the earliest pushbutton Panteras, and if a Mangusta ring & pinion was also in the differential, the car was capable of enormous acceleration but topped out at about 130 mph. These composite ZFs were recalled by Ford very early in the mfg process due to engine failures from over-revving and ZF cracking, and replaced with a std dash-2 ZF, which (I think) added two allen bolts into the backside of the bellhousing, making the dash-2 ZF stronger as well. At the same rpms, the later ZF ring & pinion was capable of around 160 mph. Visually, very early ZF bellhousings were rough sand-cast with 2 small inspection/vent holes as Mike said; all late bellhousings were smooth die-cast with one inspection/ventillation hole. But at the price of ZFs since '71 (now around $6000 for a rebuildable core & $11,000 for a completely gone-thru ZF!), I wouldn't be too surprised to find about anything in a Pantera.