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I have a question for you, Coz. How'd you get to be an Old Pro in 5 months? Must be a record time for such lofty status. I'm just now hitting Experienced status. Maybe you could start over with a new name, like 'Coz, and see if you can break your record, like hit Old Pro status in 3 months!!!

Want to hear more about the ZF project...how's it coming along?

My eariler postings were carried over. Been a member since 1999. And, I am getting old you know. :-)
Going over to the shop today and will take some more pictures.
Things are looking pretty good so far. Looks like 1st & 2nd gear syncro's, ( I'll probaby use Dennis Quella's under sized bronze syncro's) a gasket kit and a ring gear bolt kit so far.
George at McLoed is taking care of my disc, pressure plate, T/O bearing and Alum. flywheel (which I will have balanced to match the original one).
I am polishing the box and bell housing as well.

I'm jealous, 'Old Pro' but what shall you do, whence all conceivable Pantera projects have been performed. Won't be a lost puppy, then will you? A-wondering a-what to do? Enjoy the process amigo, it's a rewarding experience!

Don't feel like an Old Pro, just a Worn Out Old Pro.

I heard from John Neal who is actually the seller of these shocks. I have to admit, I may have been a little off base about the shocks. John seems like a pretty nice guy and is a Pantera owner as well. But, as stated, the Pep Boys shocks are another alternative.
Here's John e-mail to me.
Hi Jim,

Look forward to meeting you at one of the POCA events. My son and I picked up a basket case 71 Pantera # 2052. Just some background on myself, I 've been in the Automotive Service side of the business since 1972. I started as a Heavy Line technician at a local Lincoln Mercury Dealer here in San Diego. It turned out that I was the only one in S.D. that could and would work on the Pantera. I never did understand why everyone was so afraid of the cars, but I had a corner on them for a while, and made some money working on them. Gary Hall was just getting started also in LA. I have always wanted to own a Pantera but was just a bit out of reach money wise. I still have all the shop manuals and most of the bulletins, along with the tools, and some rusty knowledge. Since I've joined POCA and the local San Diego chapter I've bumped into several older customers that still have their cars. The restoration has been in the process for 3 yrs. My son and I finally drove it to one of our local Tech sessions recently. I still have to mount the door glasses and regulators, finish the radio and center console installation. I am looking for the Air Conditioning compressor and idler pulleys.
Why I am telling you this,I hope will explain where I am at with the deck lid lift cylinders. I've attached a page from Hall Pantera's parts catalog item # 5 showing the $140.00 dollars a set. A price of which I was quoted by phone. I did check other vendors and did find them for $90.00 dollars but they were not in stock. I know I could find them cheaper so I went hunting, calling on my previous parts distributor contacts. I did buy my first set from Pep boys but they didn't last 8 months. During my research I fould 4 manufactures of the lift cylinders. The ones from Pep Boys are the lower line cylinders rated at 121 lbs of lift, they didn't last me 8 months. Which is the same concesses from some other local Pantera owners. The ones that I offer are a higher quality and a little more money but I have not had any fail as of yet. The ones I sell without the wing have a lower weight rating of 106lbs,and go up from there. I have available 4 different weight rated cylinders, depending on which wing someone has. When I was looking for these cylinders, nobody could give me a cross reference listing for Pep Boys, NAPA, Kragens, Car Quest or any of the other parts houses. I had to do the digging my-self. I don't mind spending money on parts but like any one else, I look for the deals also. The lift cylinders for the wings go up in price along with the weight rating. I just sell them for the same price as the standard lids. As I have always strived for is quality, and I was not happy with the Pep Boys Sachs brand. Parts such as these should give someone many years of service before they need replacing again. This I have seen with other local Pantera owners, so that is why I did my research into the lift cylinders.So I feel I am passing on a savings along with quality of parts, for less than other vendors.The Pep Boy cylinders are a little stiffer and harder on the mounting pads than the ones that I have. Being the VP you have probably seen several cars that have had their mounting pads re-welded. It is a weak point on the car, since new. I have fixed several in my days at the Dealership and image most of them sooner or later will need repaired.It really took me a while researching these, not only thru Pantera members but to find and experiment on my own car in order to find a good combination for other members. I have sold probably 30-40 sets so far, and no returns, just happy owners.
That's all folks!

Thank you for your imput and I hope my explanation wasn't too lengthy, I thought you should know where I am coming from.

John Neal

Buy it Now price: US $83.50
Time left: 6 days 20 hours
7-day listing, Ends Jul-03-05 12:40:31 PDT
Start time: Jun-26-05 12:40:31 PDT
History: 0 bids
Item location: Ramona, California
United States
Ships to: United States
Shipping costs: US $11.50 - UPS Ground (within United States)
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gnarlyjn3tso ( 29)
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Member since Aug-11-00 in United States
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Description
These are a brand new pair of replacement lift cylinders for your Pantera's rear deck lid.! The originals have been unavailable. These cylinders are smaller in diameter and require a spacer for mounting (which are included).Included are 2 new cylinders and spacers. These cylinders are for a standard deck lid. Please specify with or without a wing.These same cylinders are sold by Retail venders for $140.00 Dollars.So get them while the price is low![/QUOTE]

Applause!

I'll look forward to meeting John Neal, who is actually quite a diplamatic guy, I can tell, and look forward to seeing his 71 Pantera # 2052, hopefully at the Vegas 2006 track event, too.

John, I met Coz for the second time, eyeball to eyeball at the track event and also met lots of people who I had spoken too, but never met until the Vegas event this year. Hope you can make it to Vegas '06, dude, and you too Coz!

I flipped my deck lid shocks upside down since moisture seemed to build up in the booties with the 'standard' position.

Quite an education on deck lid shocks. Hope our buddy Jonh sticks around and helps us out when we got problemo's wit da Pantera's.

Coz, shame on you! Now, back to that Worn Out Old Pro syndrome you describe. Get 8 hours sleep a night for a month and you'll feel 25 years old again! To do that, recommend exercise: more polishing, more frequently....

regards amigos,
vfi

quote:

eyeball to eyeball

Hmm. You're as tall as Coz?

quote:

This LOOKS like Coz, ever seen his pearly whites? Ear to Ear, and half as tall as his whole head: BIG SMILER, that's Coz.

Only if I stand on a chair.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick:

quote:

eyeball to eyeball

Hmm. You're as tall as Coz?

quote:

Only if I stand on a chair.

A chair with the legs sawed off.

I wouldn't be too concerned about about height, with a power-to-weight ratio of a pit bull... Dude works on his Pantera, tossing flywheels around like frisbees, no worries.

Perfect gentleman too, just puts his foot in his mouth once in a while, eh John?

In my opinion, you can better trust a man who speaks his mind, rather than one who smiles to your face and talks sh*t behind your back. I can respect Coz for that.

Michael

Thanks Mike.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyboman:
In my opinion, you can better trust a man who speaks his mind, rather than one who smiles to your face and talks sh*t behind your back. I can respect Coz for that.

Michael