Bonjour,
Wanted to share with you the solutions of a multi-layer issue I had related to engine vibration. Might be that some of you have a similar issue.
When I bought my Pantera 5 years ago I noticed quite some engine vibrations while driving the car. The vibrations were present during the entire engine rev range with a significant peak at 2400 rpm. The vibration level was okay for a short drive but for longer travel it became annoying.
- I started changing the damper on the crankshaft since the rubber elements of the old were already quite brittle. Unfortunately this had no influence on the vibration issue.
- Due to a burnt head gasket I had to overhaul the engine and used the opportunity to get the crank balanced. The previous owner installed a stroker kit in the 80th (from 351 to 371). The machine shop found 80 grams of imbalance. After re installation of the crank I noticed a very significant reduction of vibration for engine rev above 2700 rpm, but I had still the 2400 rpm peak and vibrations at low rpm.
- By chance I found that both engine headers were in contact with the body structure at two very small areas. I fixed that issue and the 2400 rpm peak entirely disappeared (!) but I had still some light vibrations at lower rpm.
- Again by chance Mike Drew told me about engine mounts that have been sold in the past by a California supplier for Pantera parts which were stiffer than the original one. I checked and found those installed on my Pantera (see photo; original (right side)). I changed the engine mounts and also got rid of the light vibrations.
It was a longer journey to fix the vibration issue but I’m very satisfied with the result. Hope that this small report might be useful for some of you.
Greetings from South of France
Hartwig
