de Tomaso Valve Covers

Guest

I just bought a pair of 351C valve covers with an aluminum de Tomaso logo glued over the "Power by Ford" emboss. I assumed these came off a Pantera and the seller claimed they were from an "early" Pantera. I am planning to use them on the 351C in my 70 Torino.

One of the logo plates has fallen off and I'm wondering the best way to re-attach it. My thinking is:
1) Remove logo from other cover.
2) Clean up both logos.
3) Strip both covers to bare metal.
4) Epoxy logos to bare metal on covers
5) Mask and paint covers Ford blue.
My worst nightmare, of course, would be to have one of these fall off (The one that has already fallen off apparently did so after its removal from the car). So... What kind of epoxy should I use? Someone recommended JB Weld, but I'm always suspicious of anything I see on the same shelf as "Dr. Marvel's Mystery Oil." If anyone has any ideas for the strongest possible epoxy, please let me know.

Thanks!

1/29/011:43 PM

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Bosswrench. (Guest)

What you have is in fact the original setup for '71-'74 Panteras: a stock steel Ford valve cover with a cast aluminum plate glued to it. Under heat from hot oil, differential heat-expansion (steel vs aluminum) and vibration, nearly ALL fell off. Thats why you'll see cast aluminum valve covers on 99+% or the Panteras, with the plates (if they're even used) bolted on the rear crossmember. Incidently, there are repro-plates and cast-aluminum rocker covers (some saying 'DeTomaso Pantera') available cheap. There is NO sure-thing glue that works. If you must do this, try drilling a hole thru the plate & cover, BOLT it on and mud up the nut inside the cover with RTV to stop seepage. My best guess...

1/30/017:35 AM

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Reno (Guest)

Thanks for the reply, Boss. I thought about drilling blind holes from the back and attaching with small self-tappers, but I think the aluminum is too soft for that. The Torino will eventually get big-blocked and the Cleveland is planned to be a replacement or back-up motor for my (as-yet-undiscovered) Pantera project. I hate to start drilling on something original like these plates, so I think I'll look for another set of covers for now. I'll keep the originals original (unrestored and in pieces) for now and see what develops. If you run across any low-rust early Panteras (or Mangustas) with a lot of "deferred maintenance," let me know!

1/30/018:18 AM

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